‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Fear Rule Change Could Ruin ‘Mystique’ of Show
It used to be that Jeopardy! was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, but that has started to change since new showrunner Michael Davies took over. And he could be about to make another significant change to the much-loved show ahead of its landmark 40th season. If the rule change comes into force it will be harder for new contestants to clinch a coveted spot on the show. Fans have already reacted amid concern that it will ruin the ‘mystique’ of Jeopardy! forever.
Since the late Alex Trebek started hosting the Jeopardy! in 1984, it was a rule that players only had one shot at becoming Jeopardy! champion. Once a player had competed on the syndicated version of the show, they were ineligible to ever compete again (outside of special tournaments or rare production errors).
However, on the latest Inside Jeopardy! podcast, executive producer Davies said that he was considering allowing contestants who had previously competed on the show to come back and compete again. And he wasn’t just talking special competitions, he meant regular episodes. This would mean that hopefuls who have been trying for years to get on Jeopardy! could find their way blocked by a previous contestant getting a second chance.
Davies explained that he sees Jeopardy! as a sport, and that should mean it includes the best players, regardless of how many times they’ve played before.
He discussed the recent High School Reunion Tournament, which brought back former teen contestants, with producer Sarah Foss and former Jeopardy! champion Buzzy Cohen, where the latter described it as The Hunger Games, with players returning to “fight again for their spot” in the Tournament of Champions.
“I would take things a step further,” Davies added, noting that he is committed to “player development,” meaning he is against barring people from the show.
“I feel pretty strongly that people who’ve played on college before, and people who’ve played in sort of teen tournaments before, they’re playing Jeopardy! at a time in their life when they’ve not yet reached their maximum potential as Jeopardy! competitors, as Jeopardy! players,” he explained.
“We are having deep conversations within the ‘inner sanctum’ of Jeopardy! right now about the eligibility of players and whether or not we should, frankly, have any restrictions on eligibility,” he continued.
Rather than following traditional game show rules, Davies said Jeopardy! should be treated as a sport and have similar eligibility requirements.
“To some extent, I don’t care whether you’ve played before,” he stated. “I don’t care whether you have taken the test before; I just want the best players on that stage… I don’t know that we’d be banning anyone from trying to play in the U.S. Open tennis or the U.S. Open golf… I want Jeopardy! to be an open competition, and that everybody, all comers, can come in and play.”
There was mixed reaction to this potential rule change from long-time Jeopardy! viewers.
“I think the eligibility rules should be kept as is. It helps keep the flow and separates past contestants from new ones,” wrote a fan on the Jeopardy! Reddit forum. “There is a certain aura when it comes to contestants who competed on tournaments and special programs. I wish the producers would talk about consolation prizes or other supplementary events.”
“The only eligibility rules I’d like to see changed is allowing Teen and College contestants to come back as adults,” added another, which seemed to be a popular consensus.
“I had a younger classmate compete in middle school Jeopardy in the early 2000s and that she can’t compete as an adult is a little ridiculous,” wrote one viewer. “I think those who competed as minors should be able to return once, after 10 years.”
Another added, “Part of the mystique of the show is the idea that anybody can get on and win. The more game slots keep getting reserved for previous players, the more this mystique goes away.”
“The problem I see is that while they are saying they want the best players to compete in they are really just choosing the popular players of the last season,” said one fan. “It’s not going to be a good competition watching James wipe the floor with the others.”
What do you think? Should Jeopardy! allow players to return more than once? Let us know in the comments.
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Conversation30 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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M
I can't imagine the contestant pool is so small they need to invite former contestants back simply to keep the show going. I also can't imagine why, after 39 seasons they need to make adjustments to the way the game is played. The rules have worked for years.
It it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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O
Sometimes, if things aren't broken, you shouldn't try to 'fix' them.
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G
I do not agree with letting adult players return to the regular Jeopardy show. Only the teens and college show. We need to let a broad spectrum of people compete and not make this a cult of personalities show.
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B
There are lots of people who pass the test but never get asked to be on the show. While I liked the second chance tournament, where people who almost won against a super champion were asked back, I would prefer keeping the rule for adults to not return (I agree with teens and college students). I think that gives the opportunity for more people to compete.
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G
Teens who compete should be able to come back as adults, but other than that, leave the rules alone! This is a game show, not a sport.
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O
I hate it. Michael Davies is coming up with too many unnecessary tournaments. I actually liked the professors tournament they did last year. Keep that, the teachers, college, teen tournaments plus Celebrity Jeopardy and the Tournament of Champions.
I also hate the idea of bringing back James Holzhauer to play in the masters tournament (another tournament that shouldn’t be done) which I believe is being played next season. After playing for the GOAT vs Jennings and Rutter, his playing days on Jeopardy should be over.
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C
Agreed! He's made a LOT of money. Give others their chance.
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O
This is a horrible idea! I enjoy watching the new contestants and seeing who emerges as a winner. Surely there are enough people who are trying to compete for the first time that you don't need to invite any of the adults to return. Teens and college students could return once as adult competitors.
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C
I have a better idea. Bring back "legacy" players to a streaming spinoff of the show (hosted by Ken, of course, since it would be a serious competition). That way, the audience can watch them play without impeding prospective players' chances on the main show.
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P
Please don't change the show we have known and loved for 40 years.
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B
I think the kids and young adults should be able to come back and play, but not someone like James Holzhauer, Buzzy Cohen, Brad Rutter, Ken Jennings (which was actually already done in 2020 with Jennings winning)
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O
I think as many contestants as possible be given the opportunity to play Jeopardy and that would mean keep things as they are. I do think that school/college contestants be allowed to return. What has worked for 39 years needs to be kept. I would love to see some of the best of Jeopardy sans Alex Trebek as a separate thing
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G
I think they should keep the current rules. While I love those super smart winners like Ken or James, I would prefer giving other really smart people the opportunity. This is a game not a sport.
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G
I say no to bringing back repeat contestants. I’d rather see new people given the slots.
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O
Leave the current rules alone!
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C
I have a better idea! Get rid of Michael Davies & find someone with class who respects the traditions & appreciates the intellect of the contestants.
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G
An acquaintance has tried out several times, passed all the requirements, and never been invited to be a contestant. Let all of those people play first.
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P
Jeopardy is losing me as a fan. It once was a good show. Sadly, they want to "popularize" it. Guess it wasn't making enough money for Sony.
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G
You're using the High School Reunion Tournament to make your argument? That tournament was boring as hell!
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K
Who cares? I certainly don't. Sure, it's a change in the format, but is it as big of a change to allow two co-hosts?? Davies ought to go back to one, single host .. and that should NOT be the bialik. Why, you may ask? Because I simply hate the bialik. She should have never been allowed to host at all. She's simply stupid as far as hosting Jeopardy! Not to mention, the bialik makes SO MANY MISTAKES when she attempts to host. I much prefer Ken. Simple as that.
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P
I agree that teens should have the ability to come back as adults. I also think Ken needs to remain the regular host and only use Mayim for special tournaments. He's smart, personable and just a better host. When he's not on we don't watch.
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O
High School and College players should be able to return as adults. One of the exciting things is that anyone potentially has the chance to be on the show. Why reduce the number of new players and therefore reduce the possibility for "anyone" to get on. People might see it as a disincentive to even try and who knows what fantastic players we might miss. As others have said, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
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C
I think the rules should be the same for adults. College and teen should be allowed to return. When players have been on for many days, mostly I’m ready for them to go. There are quite a few who were so annoying that it if they returned, I would not watch.
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R
I think you should leave it as it is
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R
Keep it the way it is. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
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C
I think players should have 1 shot at regular Jeopardy. This would mean former teen contestants could return as adults. Other than that, it gets kind of boring to see the same faces after their initial exciting runs. It's not a sport, it's a game, just like a board game with frills.
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P
I like having players that almost won, getting a 2nd chance to play in a 2nd chance tournament...also i like the idea that if you played as a teen or college person, you should be allowed to compete as an adult. .otherwise , keep rule in place for only one chance to compete..
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O
There are two kinds of players now. The ones who study and practice for six months and the ones who just show up and play. I'm really not interested in seeing how many games someone without a life can win. If Jeopardy! is a sport I'd rather watch the amateurs than see the pros playing all the time. Let people come back if you must, but limit it to people who won less than five games. Like me 😉
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C
Leave it alone. I never watch 2nd chance shows, like there aren't enough people who would like 1 shot at it? Let Mayim host more often, she's so entertaining. Ken is like a robot with zero personality.
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P
I think it’s a great idea!! Like it was mentioned, same as in tennis, golf etc. the best of the best competitors an keep going on. That is a competition worth watching!
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