‘Jeopardy!’ Bosses Defend Champ Ray LaLonde’s ‘Distracting’ On-Air Behavior

Martin Holmes
58 Comments
Ray LaLonde on Jeopardy!
Jeopardy, Inc

Jeopardy! champion Ray LaLonde won his fourth straight game on Tuesday (December 20), but his “distracting” on-air behavior has grabbed the attention of viewers and the show’s producers.

A scenic artist from Ontario, LaLonde has impressed viewers across his four episodes so far, which has seen him qualify for 2023’s Tournament of Champions. However, in addition to his immense trivia knowledge, LaLonde also has a penchant for swaying back and forth (watch in the clip below) while he’s answering questions.

“Could one of the Jeopardy producers suggest to Ray that his twisting is distracting, please?” tweeted one viewer after a recent episode, while another added, “Can the Jeopardy! producers, PLEASE tell Ray to stand still.”

Not all fans were as harsh, as others understood there could be various reasons for LaLonde’s swaying. “Please know that for many rocking or swaying is a self soothing technique and for others it’s completely involuntary. Let’s show some empathy,” wrote one Twitter user.

Longtime producer Sarah Foss addressed LaLonde’s on-air antics during the December 19 edition of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, acknowledging that his constant movements make the filming process more difficult.

“Ray, He kind of likes to move back and forth during his gameplay, which is difficult for our camera operators,” Foss explained. “So he may or may not have gotten the nickname ‘Ray the Sway.'”

However, Foss isn’t bothered by LaLonde’s swaying and seemingly has no intention of telling him to stop. “But Ray, however it is you like to win Jeopardy!, you do you!” she stated.

While some fans might be annoyed by LaLonde, the Ontario native has a medical reason for his swaying. According to TBS News Watch, “He suffered some spinal cord damage over a period of years and had to work hard to prevent muscle spasms in his legs while he was on camera.”

On Monday’s (December 19) episode of the long-running game show, LaLonde revealed he has an identical twin who is “in the process of auditioning for Jeopardy! right now,” joking, “There’s a chance you’re gonna be seeing this face again and again.”

When host Ken Jennings asked if the siblings had considered swapping in and out without telling the producers, LaLonde quipped, “How do you know we’re not?”

“We’re going to have to start fingerprinting before every game,” Jennings joked.

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Conversation58 Comments

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Comments are closed on this story.

  1. O

    OliveBandAid

    One question and one comment. The question: How does this even merit being a story? And the comment: The people who are complaining about Ray's swaying really need to get a life.

    33 3

    1. R

      RedPlane

      When it's something that noticeable, it bears notice.

      2 3

      1. B

        BlueCone

        I watched and noticed but though it is no different then some other things contestants have done. Get a life people.

        2

  2. A

    Arben70

    LaLonde’s on-air antics

    I'm not sure "antics" is the right choice of word here...

    19 1

  3. G

    GreenBulb

    These people that are complaining need to get a life.

    What difference does it make that he sways

    20 6

  4. G

    GoldHammer

    His constant twisting, he looks like he has to pee. His voice. His arrogance. The way he answers. He's like nails being scraped down a chalkboard. Someone needs to win and get rid of him.

    16 5

  5. R

    RedBone

    My husband noticed Rays swaying” back and forth when he said, “I cannot watch this because I cannot concentrate on this guys answers as he continues his damn swaying!” From that point on, neither can I! I’m glad he continues to win…but I’m out…please lose Ray!

    8 1

  6. C

    CyanAirBalloon

    I don’t care why he sways I just want it to stop. He has an arrogance about him & twisting back & forth makes him twice as annoying. Can’t wait until he’s gone😕

    15 8

  7. R

    RedRocket

    He is cleverly getting away with distracting the other contestants. He shouldn't be allowed to sway. Name another contestant ever who was allowed to make distracting motions. No one.

    6 1

    1. G

      GreenBone

      There have been plenty of people doing various things that people find distracting. Maybe if it’s such a problem for the show they should allow him to sit on a stool. If they can’t do that then he’ll do what he has to if it’s preventing pain. I do similar when my back hurts.

      1

  8. P

    PurpleButterfly

    Without having any explanation one has only the motion to judge. Having a medical issue clarified things

    Keep in mind many other champs have had “ticks” that were distracting without having a medical reason behind it.

    Ask bobblehead Amy Or giggling Mattea.

    6 1

    1. G

      GoldPopsicle

      Couldn't agree more about Mattea and her constant giggling and hand gestures.....and those teeth, yuck!

      4 1

    2. G

      GoldHammer

      Is it a medical reason?

  9. G

    GoldCorn

    There is nothing wrong with Ray let him do what he does that's what makes everything interesting.

    9 4

    1. R

      RedPlane

      Everyone should engage in distracting behavior! Watch the ratings skyrocket!

      1

  10. G

    GoldDucky

    Stop the the swaying. It may even be annoying to the other two contestants. It's annoying to me.

    7 3

  11. O

    OrangePopcorn

    To annoying to watch,Hope he losses soon

    10 6

  12. G

    GreenBulb

    I can’t stand the staying and I am not watching any more until he loses.

    6 3

  13. G

    GreenGoggles

    Have a friend who rocks left to right...trying to ease pinched nerve

    2

  14. P

    PurpleChilli

    He’s brilliant…away away Ray!!!

    1

  15. R

    RedWrench

    You be quiet

    1

  16. R

    RedGoggles

    Truthfully, why can't they give them a chair type desk to set at to answer questions?

    1

  17. B

    BlueFan

    They should have announced from the beginning that Ray had a disability or else put him in a high backed chair. As it is now, it's very distracting and I've quit watching.

    5 4

  18. C

    CyanGuitar

    Why are ET's eyes so big?: He seen his phone bill!

    1

  19. E

    Ealgylden

    I never even noticed. Lots of contestants over the years have moved around, swayed, jittered, etc. If it bothers you so much, close your eyes when he's answering. What he's saying is the important part.

    1

  20. B

    BlueFlower

    Take it from someone who has spinal cord damage and deals with spasms. You learn to do what you have to to avoid suffering very painful episodes of spamic activity. If you can't have compassion, be quiet.

    1

  21. C

    CyanCherries

    I would like to know what you do to be so petty about something that is clearly bothersome to people

  22. G

    GreenHat

    seriously, i don't know why some people just don't have any empathy.

  23. G

    GreenHat

    if the swaying is so distracting, i want to know how you function in life

  24. G

    GreenHat

    i hope you're joking

  25. G

    GreenHat

    sounds like you need to get a life.

  26. G

    GreenHat

    lmao, news flash we don't care, and neither do they. So what if you're not going to watch? many other people are still going to watch.

  27. G

    GreenHat

    tell me you're jealous without telling me you're jealous.

  28. G

    GreenHat

    if it's so distracting don't watch, no one is forcing you.

  29. G

    GreenHat

    if you're so easily annoyed my swaying, I suggest you get a life

  30. C

    CyanMagnet

    They'd hate to see me on there, I do it for the same reason...and likely more often.

    It's not something I'm aware I'm even doing for the most part. It's just something I do "mindlessly" when the nerve either throws a pain signal, or numbness.

  31. O

    OrangeCherries

    Really have a hard time with how petty and judgemental people are being..it's a great game show that's been a family favorite for years, what seriously is wrong with a little swaying...if it bothers so much simply change the channel for half an hour!

    2 2

  32. G

    GoldHammer

    I totally agree with the above statement. I can handle Ray’s swaying as long as I never have to see Mattea again. The constant giggling and her constant rhetoric after answering makes me want to shut off the show and never watch it again.

  33. C

    CyanGuitar

    Antic's is a bit "off-putting"

    1. C

      CyanGuitar

      I'm sorry, it's me wyrzarkin again. My reply is an edit. I meant that using the word, "antic's" was a bit ------

  34. P

    PurpleScooter

    Sway away. You’re a champ. The critics are sitting on their couch.

    3 3

  35. G

    GoldGlasses

    I think the entertainment news industry has seen that just about any story about "Jeopardy" gets clicks. So one person on Twitter talks about the current champion "swaying" and that results in a story.

    1 1

  36. G

    GreenHat

    you're annoying to listen to.

    1

  37. G

    GreenHat

    so you're only not watching it because of your husband?

    1

  38. P

    PurpleMustache

    While I find Ray's constant swaying annoying, what I find more annoying is when supposedly intelligent people say things like "It's my wife's and I's special number", said by Andrew Schmidt after his final jeopardy score. It's like fingernails on a chalk board. Where do people learn this kind of grammar? It's "my wife's and MY special number!!

    1

  39. O

    OrangeFish

    The swaying is too distracting. Stopped watching Jeopardy while he’s on.

    1 2

  40. P

    PurpleCar

    Oh please people we've seen contestants with all kinds of physical personalities. Give the guy some room and get a freakin' life.

    1 3

  41. O

    OrangeCherries

    Sway away Ray. This is YOUR time. As far as I’m concerned you have rhythm… and it shows! Bah humbug to the naysayers!

    2 4

  42. O

    OrangeBus

    Why is this even a story. Damn people get a real life.

    1 3

  43. G

    GreenLobster

    Nonsense, let kindness prevail, its a brain game,no need to critique. Best wishes for all the contestants.

    1 3

  44. C

    CyanGuitar

    This is What You are crying about? Wake up!

    2 4

  45. O

    OrangeBus

    I don't mind his swaying. I focus on the questions and answers. Don't be so petty people !!! He doesn't need to explain himself to anyone!

    3 6

  46. O

    OliveClover

    he is doing so great who cares if he sways let him do his thing

    3 6

  47. O

    OliveUmbrella

    Who cares if it distracts some fans. Theyre not the ones up there playing. Leave him alone

    3 6

    1. B

      BlueFan

      yes, but the show would not last unless it had viewers 🙂

      It should have been addressed on the show like the bald women from TN did who was undergoing chemo--she just endeared viewers. Also, Ray can sit in a high-up bar to prevent him from moving so much

  48. P

    PurpleScooter

    I agree, very distracting for a person with a seizure disorder. Stand still!

    7 10

  49. G

    GoldButterfly

    As long as he answers his questions correctly he is fine. Didn’t even notice the swaying till this ridiculous article …..

    2 5

    1. G

      GoldHammer

      It's because he's not swaying, he's twisting from side to side.