‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Split Over NBC News Tweet About Champ Mattea Roach

Martin Holmes
46 Comments
Mattea Roach on Jeopardy!
Jeopardy!

Some fans have blasted NBC News after the network’s official Twitter account referred to current Jeopardy! champion Mattea Roach by her sexual orientation rather than her name.

Roach, a 23-year-old tutor from Halifax, Nova Scotia, won her 16th game in a row on Tuesday, April 26, taking her total winnings to $368,981. While many viewers have been praising Roach on social media, a poorly worded tweet from NBC News has garnered backlash.

“The 23-year-old lesbian tutor from Toronto has amassed a total of $320,081, the most by a Canadian contestant in ‘Jeopardy!’ history,” the news network tweeted on Monday. The tweet linked to an article detailing Roach’s impressive performance on the long-running game show.

But some fans questioned why the tweet needed to include Roach’s sexual orientation, while others mocked the network for its poor use of grammar.

“Oh ffs. What on earth is a lesbian tutor? You mean she helps people become better lesbians?” tweeted one viewer. “Be better @NBCNews & know that this incredible woman’s sexuality has absolutely no bearing on her amazing @Jeopardy streak & smarts!”

“Amazingly bad Tweet by someone at @NBCNews. Her sexuality has absolutely nothing to do with her success on #Jeopardy,” wrote another watcher. “Crazy. In all the coverage across Canadian media never once was her being a #lesbian mentioned. You made it the lead in to the story, bad grammar too. Ridiculous.”

Emmy-winning news anchor and CBS 8 San Diego alum Barbara-Lee Edwards also commented on the controversial tweet. “What is poorly written, insensitive and just plain insulting?” she wrote, in the format of a Jeopardy question.

University of Calgary researcher Paul Fairie also mocked the wording of the tweet, quipping, “You can get a tutor for anything.”

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However, not everyone agreed with this take, as others felt that NBC News was simply highlighting Roach’s sexuality to honor Lesbian Visibility Week, which is observed from April 25 to May 1.

“We had those for yrs by not recognizing the achievements of marginalized groups,” a fan responded to someone questioning why Roach’s sexuality needed to be mentioned. “We celebrate achievements of each group now because the attitude of your tweet was shared by too many for too long.”

Another viewer noted that the tweet might inspire other members of the LGBTQ+ community, writing, “Other brilliant charming lesbians might want to know.”

“The first word in [Roach’s] Twitter biography is “lesbian”. Clearly she is interested in visibility,” added another commenter. And, as others pointed out, the tweet also mentioned her job and nationality, which people didn’t seem to have a problem with.

Note: This article was updated on April 27 to include a wider range of perspectives.

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Conversation46 Comments

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  1. O

    OliveCactus

    I couldn't care less about her orientation, but the last few games she's gotten a bit too blas'e and above it all, as though her competing against these lesser beings is an act of noblesse oblige. Time for her to go.

    23 5

  2. G

    GreenCoffee

    I can't stand her!!!!

    22 4

    1. G

      GreenQuill

      I’m with you, she is obnoxious, rude and annoying. Her body language is just as weird as she is

      8 5

    2. C

      CyanLamp

      I remember Alex asking James Holzhauer how he accumulated his breadth of knowledge. He explained it well to Alex. Amy talked about her mother encouraging her love of books. I find it interesting that Ken hasn't asked Mattea, how at such a young age, she has managed to know so much obscure information about everything. What does she tutor exactly? Is she a world traveler ? Strange that Ken hasn't asked. Aside from her mannerisms, hand movements and wishing she'd bet more, she knows things that I feel no one on the ToC can beat her on. Let's find out more about her. I don't care about her sexuality or her nose ring. I just wonder what her method for knowing so many little known facts is.

      2 2

  3. P

    PurpleWheel

    As an aside, I am not loving Mattea as a champion. She sometimes makes comments after she makes mistakes, while other players still have a chance to ring in. She's done this a few times & once, almost talked over another contestant who rang in. I can't believe the producers let that happen. She also editorializes too much while wagering. I would like to say Jeopardy is not Who Wants To Be a Millionaire where contestants talk through who they want to call, etc. Jeopardy is fast-paced with time constraints. I'm a long-time fan since the 80's & I have to say it has become annoying to watch with Mattea as champion. And sometimes with Ken Jennings talking & bantering too much. I want to say, just get on with the game! That's the reason most people tune in!

    19 2

    1. B

      BlueBeer

      I'm ready for her to be gone until the Tournament of Champions.

      14 2

  4. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Who cares?

    15 2

    1. A

      Antonio Montealegre

      Why comment then?

  5. J

    Jena

    There have been so many big winners this season. Maybe staying in and being quarantined for some period over the past few years has led us all to be a little more curious and smart. In any case, congrats to Mattea, great job so far!

    13 2

  6. B

    Blue8Ball

    Mattea is brilliant and her breadth of knowledge is impressive... period. That's truly all that should matter. Commenting on her sexual preference was inappropriate on all levels and was done in poor taste. Own this mistake, NBC.

    9

  7. O

    OrangeBus

    Who cares? She is a fantastic player

    11 2

  8. O

    OrangePumpkin

    Has anybody asked her what SHE thinks of the comment? Maybe she doesn’t care. I’m so tired or people jumping to the defense of others who may not even want to defended, because there is nothing to defend in their opinion.

    9

  9. O

    OrangeDog

    She’s smart and funny and I love watching her with all her comments! Who cares about anything else!

    15 7

    1. R

      RedBowtie

      I love the hand gestures and the way she will talk with her hands flippantly when she is interested or intrigued. Glad she is winning and hope she is enjoying herself.

      7 3

  10. B

    BluePlanet

    Or maybe producers pick someone who scored extremely high on the test and pit them against the lowest scorers. This would create long winning streaks thus keeping ratings up while the twin messes of Mike Richards and the Ken/Mayim controversy play out.

    7

    1. B

      BlueFan

      And the show runners can cherry pick categories that play to the winner's strengths.

      2

  11. O

    OrangeDog

    Check out her personal twitter page. Her self-described profile is "lesbian, Nova Scotian, 16x Jeopardy champ // everything that happens will happen today". She puts it upfront of everything else. So I'm not sure why anyone would make a big deal of it being referenced. She's proud of it.

    9 2

    1. C

      CyanFish

      💯

  12. B

    BlueFan

    I believe that Jeopardy should not be a forum for this current player, or any other's sexual preference, political platform or any other personal issue to be spotlighted. It's irrelevant for the game and contributes no entertainment value. If you're going to cheer on a player, do it for the sport of the game, not for what the player stands for or what rights they support. That being said, I believe that Mattea is exceptionally smart, but she has become extremely obnoxious and full of herself and I'm hoping every night she either comes down to earth, or someone comes along and humbly kicks the wind out of her sale, and I don't have to know their sexual preference

    7 1

    1. C

      CyanPopcorn

      She is not obnoxious. She a 23 year old with the smarts way beyond most!

      I think she is great to watch. She is amazing!

      1 3

  13. R

    RedWrench

    Poorly worded maybe but If they hadn’t mentioned her sexual preference they would take heat for not celebrating an accomplished member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

    8 2

  14. O

    OrangeCandy

    She's become full of herself and doesn't wear her success well. Amy Schneider never got that attitude over her run. I've been a fan of Mattea all along, but right now she's acting a bit like Mayim Bialik with a smug "I'm special" way about herself.

    9 4

  15. P

    PurpleFlame

    LOL, I just posted that her hand gestures are what bug me the most about her.

    3

  16. O

    OlivePlanet

    I'm now officially sick of her attitude, disruptive ad-libbing and above it all demeanor.

    2

  17. P

    PurpleMustache

    When she answers incorrectly, she feels compelled to comment or explain herself. This isn't family game night, there are time constraints and her interruption prevents Ken from asking for a correct response from the others. She was fine in the early episodes, but she's settled in and has moved into tutor mode as though she's in charge. She needs to go.

    2

  18. P

    PurpleFlame

    I am looking forward to TOC this season, it will be an interesting tournament with the big winners they have had so far.

    2

  19. P

    PurpleFlame

    only thing that really bugs me is how she flops her hand around, but people talk with their hands so I try to ignore it.

    3 1

  20. O

    OliveGrapes

    I love Mattea because she's smart and I'm excited for her winnings. Team Mattea!!

    2

  21. R

    RedHat

    Sexual orientation is a personal matter.

    2

  22. G

    GreenHat

    I’d like to know what happened today since my tv froze just as Ken said she got the Final correct and what did she wager. Was it my local channel or xfinity??? And what did she wager?

    2

    1. C

      CyanGuitar

      She wagered the required $1. Ben wagered what he had to, and they both did what they had to from there. I hope that's not too much of a spoiler.

      1

    2. J

      Jena

      there's a site called J! Archive that has a record of every show, including questions, wagers, & final scores They're usually up-to-date on each day's game.

      1

  23. P

    PurplePopsicle

    I love when someone keeps winning... It is the winning that seems to be the thrill...... Keep on Winning Mattea......... You are a great Player....... Who cares what people say ? Just shows their stupidity .

    6 4

  24. C

    CyanPopcorn

    The old adage "Familiarity breeds contempt" is very much in play here. Initially, I was OK with Mattea, but the more she relaxes and shows her true personality, I'm ready to see her go. At least during the TOC there will be Amy and Matt to root for.

    1

  25. O

    OrangeFries

    Mattea is SUPER

    knowledgeable, enviable! Her sexual orientation is SUPER IRRELEVANT!!!

    1

  26. P

    PurpleLeaf

    Lose the nose ring, you are attractive but look ridiculous with that thing!

  27. G

    GreenWrench

    Since when is someone's sexual preference a news item? And, why does anyone need to be described by their sexual preference? Mattea Roach is a sensational women in her own right. The fact that she is a lesbian is none of our business. Respect her as a woman.

  28. P

    PurpleFlame

    A lesbian tutor? She tutors women in how to become lesbians? I want them to announce all sexuality in future, every champ is a heterosexual, homosexual, or lesbian champion from now on. Only fair, right?

  29. R

    RedBone

    I agree, she’s just plain arrogant & am not watching again until I hear she’s gone.

  30. G

    GoldTeepee

    I couldn’t care less what sexual orientation she is. Why don’t they ask her to wash her hair and clean her teeth? You would think the staff would pick up on that.

  31. B

    BlueBullhorn

    Kinda figured that by her personality. Not much of a chance of hooking up with a guy with her butchness.

  32. O

    Olive8Ball

    Matteag Roach is indeed a real champion. I for one enjoy watching her on Jeopardy no matter what lifestyle she has chosen to follow.

  33. A

    Antonio Montealegre

    Go Mattea!

  34. J

    Jena

    Well, I *hope* she doesn't like boys. She's a grown woman. Her choices should be men or women. 😎

    1 2

  35. O

    OrangeBasketball

    Much bigger issues..than any of this petty comments

    2

  36. O

    OrangeController

    Good for NBC saying "The 23-year-old "lesbian tutor" from Toronto. Did you want to be a part of the "Don't say Gay", but in this case, Lesbian"?Gay/Lesbians have been put in the closet for too long and now they are trying to put us back in. Thank you NBC 💜

    2 5