‘Jeopardy!’ Bosses Considering Big Change to How Show Looks
Jeopardy! producers Michael Davies and Sarah Foss are considering making a change to how categories are displayed on-screen, following a thread discussing the issue on the Jeopardy! Reddit forum.
Davies brought up the topic on Monday’s (February 13) edition of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, noting, “In the era of 16:9 HD television, whether or not we should be putting the categories on screen when our clues appear.”
As it currently stands, the categories are listed at the top of the board, but once a contestant chooses a dollar value from a particular category, the clue pops up without the category listed anywhere on the screen.
“Because very often we don’t cut back to the wide shot of the board when players select; we don’t have time, the game is moving so fast,” Davies continued. “Clues pop out; people select them very fast; they often don’t say the whole name of the category. They’ll just say a dollar value as they’re going down the board.
“And even I, who sees the material before the show, who has a grid in front of me, I get lost in terms of what category we are in sometimes. And I know that’s part of it for the advanced Jeopardy! viewer; they have to remember the categories, remember where they are, and try and figure out where they are on the show.”
Referencing a Reddit thread on the topic, Davies wondered whether they “should find some screen real estate and whether we should put the category up every time a clue pops out. What do you all think about that?”
Foss agreed that “it’s good for text clues,” but it would “take away from the experience” for “videos, images, clips,” so it would need the hosts to reiterate the categories for those particular clues.
“We’re gonna take a look at it, we’re having our team dummy up what it would look like… we will then maybe look at testing it in an individual tournament, giving things a run out there in the real world, for the audience to be able to see them.”
Following the podcast, a Reddit user mocked up what it could look like to have the categories displayed above the clue.
“In this day and age, there’s plenty of real estate on the screen to put both the category and $$ amount,” wrote one fan. “Shrink the text if need be, but some of those clues could be shortened anyway, they’re getting wordy and long. We’re not watching jeopardy on 13 inch CRTs anymore!”
“This would def help at home. Categories like “Countries that start with N” and my dumb ass answers Bolivia. Then I’m like, Duh!” added another.
Another disagreed, writing, “I prefer playing it on the same level as the contestants. During the game, the clue screen doesn’t show the category, only the clue. This is why some contestants miss the questions themselves, answering way off the category, and why the host sometimes gently reminds them of the category. You have to be paying attention in order to answer correctly.”
What do you think about having the categories displayed above the clues? Let us know in the comments.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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C
I'd love this change! I'm grateful that they put the category with the Final clue, and this would be equally welcome.
7
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P
Try it out. I'd like to see the category and amount on screen. But then I'm 76 and Nikki Haley thinks I need a mandatory mental competency test so...
6
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B
The way contestants hop around the board anymore it would be nice to know what category we’re in with the clue. The contestants have the advantage being able to see the entire board at any given moment, while the viewer is often left in the dark because the request was said quickly, mumbled, or shortened. Sounds like a good idea.
7 1
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B
I would welcome this change wholeheartedly. I didn't have an issue with keeping up with the categories before the contestants started jumping around from category to category. This would help a lot.
5
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O
I think that putting the category and dollar amt on top of the clue would be a great idea...I think Alex would have liked the idea also
5 1
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C
Category displayed with the clue would be great
6 2
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C
It’s been fine for MANY years, they think the audience is dumb.
4
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O
I wouldn’t mind this change. They also need to require first and last name for clue responses that are people.
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M
I have no preference for myself but having seen far too many contestants squint at the board lately I think the focus should be on their being able to read the material. It is their game on the line, not mine.
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R
Definitely display the Categories....if not for the contestants (theoretically "smarter" than the viewers) then for the fans like me who need it to avoid the "Duh" answers that make me look so bad in front of my wife.
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B
Why do you keep changing the show? I say LEAVE IT ALONE!!
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C
Here's what will surely happen. The changes will be made and something will be wrong and, of course, the rabid Jeopardy! fan base will find a way to blame Mayim Bialik for it. 😉
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O
Definitely needed. We have said that for a long time.
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R
Category in crawler at the bottom would be great.
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P
Don’t shrink the text. Smaller print will be difficult to read!
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O
I have wanted this for a long time
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C
I would love and welcome this change. My husband and I have been wishing for a long time that the catagory name would display above the clue. We loved it when you started showing the final Jeopardy category above the clue.
2 1
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K
I don't care how the show looks or what changes they make ... just get rid of that person known as Mayim Bialik. She oughta go back to fOX. And leave us alone.
2 1
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R
Clues. above the questions would be great!
2 1
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B
It's an absolute must to show the category with the clue!
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O
Yes… Mayim Chaya Bialik.
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C
I don't know why they need to change anything about the game. It's worked well for decades.
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G
I like this idea! In the past, contestants used to pick a category, then stick with it, from top to bottom. It is much more common now to jump around.
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O
What is "a pretty good idea"?
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J
The contestants SAY the category each time: "American History for eight hundred. ... Sports Figures for a thousand." Are people's attention spans so short they forget the category between the time the contestant names it to the time they hear the questions???
I am glad they added the category to the Final Jeopardy question.
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R
Leave it. Just learn to pay attention.
1 1
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R
They should increase the money - 200.00 is too cheap- they increase 2,000 to 5,000.
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R
Sounds like a good idea. Give it a try. And while we are critiquing - some coaching of contestants as to be more clear and speak more slowly when answering.
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O
I would like to see them. I don't think that it "dumnb's down the show.
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C
Jeopardy in its current incarnation is nearly 40 years old. I can't see why this change is necessary at this point.
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G
They now show the category for Final Jeopardy above the question, and that used to dive me nuts.
Hell yes, it would be great.
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P
If there are some home viewers who find it difficult to keep track of the categories questions are coming from, then perhaps they should be watching something more elementary like Wheel or Price. Don't dumb down this show.
1 3
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J
And lose half the audience?
Don't equate lack of rapid memory recall with intelligence. I'm 83 and still get 70% - 80% correct. An additional (and elusive) 10% - 15% is due to fading rapid recall memory function.
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R
How rude!!!
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R
Sometimes I can only listen to the program as I’m mostly bed bound and am not always facing the TV. I for one would welcome the change and possible announcement from host when reading clues.
2 1
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C
Makes little difference to me since I won't be watching when bialik returns. So go ahead & "fix" whatever isn't broken & turn Jeopardy, the classiest, the most intellectual show on TV, into a circus to satisfy those who prefer mindless entertainment. May the ghost of Alex haunt you.
6
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J
....right, it's all about the numbers
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