‘Jeopardy!’ Boss Drops News About Big Change on Show
The recent Jeopardy! Masters tournament, which was won by James Holzhauer, allowed the show’s producers to try out some new things. But not all these format changes will be sticking around.
In addition to introducing a soccer-style points-based format for a win, Masters let viewers see where the Daily Doubles were hidden on the board. However, the latter idea might be a one-and-done deal, as the show’s executive producer Michael Davies admits wasn’t a fan.
“[Masters] was every bit as good as I hoped it was going to be, and I think we can make it better in the future,” Davies said on the most recent episode of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast. And it seems one of those ways to improve the show could be getting rid of the Daily Double reveals.
“Almost everybody’s asking me about the reveal of the Daily Double,” Davies continued. “That is almost the minor detail that was done as a format gift to ABC. I’m sort of on the fence about it; it feels to me like a bit of a stage weight, to be honest, and it was my idea, but we don’t really need it.”
“I’d love it to be part of a companion app,” he added. “And I think that we need to really look at the shot sequence of the selection of categories and how the clue then goes full screen, and we either need to get the category on the full-screen clue or we need to change the shot sequence so it’s very clear from which the clue is coming.”
Davies’ comments come in contrast to what host Ken Jennings said last month when speaking to WISN Channel 12 Milwaukee News about the Masters tournament and the new Daily Double format.
“I don’t know if we’ll try it on the syndicated show,” Jennings said, “but I really like it because the host always knows where the Daily Doubles are in advance, so I get to watch a contestant who really needs the Daily Double kind of advance towards it, ‘Oh, is she gonna get it? Oh no, she’s switched categories!”
As for the Jeopardy! fans, opinion was split on revealing the Daily Doubles. “It’s a fun thing to try,” wrote one viewer on the Jeopardy! Reddit forum. “For those who want to know or think the games were rigged, this satisfies them. For those who want to stick to tradition, closing your eyes for 5-10 seconds isn’t a big deal.”
“I’m totally indifferent to it,” said another. “When I watch Jeopardy! I’m never actively thinking “Ooh, where are the Daily Doubles?” There’s no “spoiler” aspect to me by revealing where they are before the round.”
Another viewer added, “I don’t see the point of it. It doesn’t add anything to the game (especially since their locations aren’t revealed to the contestants) and it really just isn’t necessary for viewers to know.”
Conversation47 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
Make Ken the permanent host. He probably knows the answers anyway and doesn’t have to double check the card. Plus he has a wit and sense of humour and ribs the contestants now and then. MB is a game show host not a quiz show host….. and, to be blunt, she lowers the standard.
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Love Mayim and Ken!
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Yes, Ken as permanent host. He's very quick, and has a kind of wit that may have an edge to it from time to time, but I think that adds something. One change I wouldn't mind seeing-- players who run a category get a bonus.
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I agree 100%
She just doesn’t have that talent to host. She belongs on her sitcom🤷♀️
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Agree 100% Time for her to go. Ken needs to be the permanent host. To much juggling around is distracting. Let's honor Alex Trebec and give the show one host again.
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Jeopardy Female Host takes too long to reply to answer. I think she has to look at the judges most of the time
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I like Ken Jennings and would like to see him permanent host. He does a great job
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Jennings is vastly better.
Get rid of MB.
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I am so disappointed to see such a talented person that comes in second and third place, walk away with a mere 1000$ or 2000$ dollars. They should get what they have earned with a minimum amount of 1000$...please explain why this is not happening
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Once the answer has been revealed, can you show the answer on the screen? Most of the time I can never understand what the correct answer is.
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Try closed captions on your TV
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I am a senior and I have trouble discerning what is being said by the contestants who speak differently and at different octaves. I use CC to see what was said. Maybe the show could put the contestant responses on the TV screen
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My husband and I have this problem. We also use CC
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Keep the show as it was. It was great then . No more special games .
Keep Ken Jennings on permanently
Also, I do not need or want to know where the daily is located. It’s a nice surprise for the contestants and for us at home.
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@ SusanProctor I, too, wish Michael Davies, etal, would STOP with the changes, i. e. Masters Tournament soccer ball scoring format and switching it to ABC. I DO like the idea of including the category with the clue screenshot. And, sadly, it's evident that Mayim has grown weary of her role, continuing to speak as an actress would who is miscast and in over her head, reading from a teleprompter and resorting to speaking and reading the clues like a first grade teacher talking to 7 year olds, modulating the words of the clues like someone speaking in broken English. The clearest sign of her self-resignation has been the absence of any real effort to personalize her interaction with contestants during interviews. It has just been a complicated trial and error period of transition for the show, lots of hiccups, but I believe it will eventually settle in for the long haul.
P. S.
I'm still empathizing with Ben Chan for being ruled incorrect for Benedick and Beatrice!!
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I think for the Master's tournament they should do away with the daily doubles. Who ever gets them has a huge advantage, taking them away really evens out the contest. Everyone on stage is super smart and they don't miss often. Leave it alone for the nightly shows.
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I think that's actually a great idea.
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I agee
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They need to eliminate the executive producer and mayim. I think they make all these different changes just to see all the people respond and argue, I think they think it’s a joke. I hope they wiill be laughing their selves out of the ratings soon
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It won't "satisfy those who think the game is rigged." They'll say that the show is taped, so the "reveal" can be edited in after the fact. If they're not convinced that the lawyers and compliance officers are on the level and keeping the show honest, this won't help.
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I think Ken Jennings is a perfect fit as moderator. He’s doing a great job and a personality & sense of humor with contestants. Let’s hope he will remain on the show.
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C
I think Myam bialik needs to stick to acting and leave hosting jeopardy to Ken Jennings
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I think Ken Jennings should be the sole, singular host of adult Jeopardy. He alone has the street cred. If producers wanted to change something, give Myam the student tournaments (only).
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It matters not to me, it is a bit interesting to see where the DD were and if a contestant you were rooting for was working towards it, but traditional was fine as well. I liked Alex, I think Ken does a fine job, Mayim however seems rather a bore and don't care for her, no personality!
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Wow. Do you feel threatened?
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Don’t change anything about the show!! !Ken Jennings is GREAT. But it would be fun to see he and James play a game for the fun if it!!!!
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I think it's better to keep the Daily Doubles as a surprise.
It reminds me of when they used to reveal who the Secret Square was on Hollywood Squares. I think it takes away from the excitement.
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Can Ken please stand next to the contestants at the beginning and end of the show? He looks like he's in the next county over being so far away! Alex would not approve of this at all
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Most game shows have retained the Covid-19 distancing format/protocols.I don't think the contestants mind at all and may even prefer the space as an anxiety relief during those interviews.
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Typical large corporation BS , they have a successful show and now instead of just letting it run, they decide to mess with it and then watch market share drop. Then the MBAs will run around asking what happen. The market has changed? Must be Matilda that has worked for the company for 35 years , she is the problem. It is never their falt. Sounds like Coke in the 80s !!
If you want ti make changes write a new show. If Myra is so strong make her the shows leader.
Merv Griffin did not corner the world on creative thinking .
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What Jeopardy needs to do is leave it alone! What it doesn't need are gimmicks or rotating hosts. Make Ken Jennings the permanent host & keep the format that has served it well for many years
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Agree 100%
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Make Jennings permanent
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C
Agreed, remove the gimmicks but while you're at remove KJ also. Few things in life are more irritating than having to listen to someone who thinks they're witty but aren't.
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Get RID of Mayim.
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I fully agree. I like Ken Jennings.
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I agree with most other comments. Ken should be permanent host. Someone else said the she dumbs down the show and I agree. Whether or not daily doubles location is shown, makes no difference. If you don't want to know, close your eyes or look away.
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Have to agree.......changing the way Jeopardy has Always Been has Always Worked 98%. How do you improve something that's already The Best?!?
1 thing I Don't like is all the stupid mix a word .match a word insanity.....3rd grader stuff and just does Not add anything and InMy Humble Opinion really takes away from- R These People Really
Well Versed in 95%of.the world topics!!! Sooo moronish! Stop with the rhyming/ mix match stuff.....Puuuulese!!
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I actually closed my eyes while watching the Masters. I like not knowing.
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I think they've been asking some ridiculously obscure questions.
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No, they are accepting gays, too. So everyone now has a "partner".
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Like the hour length better.
Daily double surprise better.
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Conflict of interest jennings who has a winning streak to protect should not be hosting this show period.
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I LOVE Mayim Bialek She is SO MUCH more personal & "warm" than Ken. She brings a "feeling" to Jeopardy that Ken just doesn't have He is way too straight-laced and I'm NOT drawn to him Erlene VanDerMeer
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I think a woman host is a good idea. Ken Jennings needs a break and who wants to watch reruns!
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Not a favorite fan of Ken Jennings...Minus 10 for charisma and care even less for Mayin.....Too many people available to have settled for these two.....
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you are so wrong about Ken
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