‘Jeopardy!’ Rule Change Riles Viewers – Show’s Bosses React
When Jeopardy! returned for its Second Chance and Champions Wildcard tournaments back in September, it came with a new rule, which sees contestants required to read out the entire category name each time they select a new clue.
However, this new rule might not stick around much longer, as many viewers have complained that it disrupts the flow of the show, especially when the category names are a mouthful, like last Thursday’s (December 7) “During Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak.”
Jeopardy‘s long-time producer Sarah Whitcomb Foss and former Tournament of Champions winner Buzzy Cohen addressed the backlash on the latest Inside Jeopardy! podcast, with Foss explaining why they introduced the rule change in the first place.
“We’ve seen the chatter online about contestants reading the full category, which is a change to the rules this season,” Cohen brought up, though Foss disagreed with the term “rule.”
“Not really a rule, a suggestion,” Foss said before explaining that they introduced it because some fans had complained about losing track of where contestants were on the board.
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“Everyone has a lot of opinions, but we heard viewers are having trouble with where people were going on the game board and couldn’t really follow it,” she continued.
However, as with most things on Jeopardy!, Foss noted, “It’s not set in stone… it’s just a recommendation.”
“We’d like to know what people think of it,” she added. “Nothing can’t be changed or altered, but we’ve made it through every clue this season.”
Fans sounded off about the category rule last week following Thursday’s episode, with one Reddit commenter writing, “The producers forcing contestants to say “During Lou Gehrig’s Consecutive Game Streak” every time is ridiculous.”
“Same, I’m beyond sick of this rule,” another fan replied.
Another added, “Seriously, if I ever get on [the show] I’m not following that rule, whatever wrath it incurs. What are they gonna do, kick me off in the middle of the episode?”
“They need to at least make less awkward category titles if they’re going to insist on this,” another suggested.
“I had no idea, is this new?” asked another commenter. “Was literally yelling at the tv, “You guys don’t have to say the whole thing every time ” whoops.”
As for how the contestants feel, Champions Wildcard semifinalist Joe Velasco told The U.S. Sun, “As part of a change to the new season, and this is for the benefit of the audience moreso, they need us, or prefer us, to say the whole category every time.”
“I mean, thankfully, for a tournament of returning champions like us, we know how the game works, so we were all pretty efficient,” he continued. “I would imagine for new contestants it would probably trip them up, and I would be afraid it would lead to some clues being left on the board.”
What do you think about this new rule? Let us know in the comments below.
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Conversation59 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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G
Just put the category on the screen when they show the question.
Same with Final Jeopardy.
Not exactly rocket science.
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G
That was exactly what I was going to suggest. It’s the simplest solution all around.
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P
Totally agree and if that isn't enough flash it on/off like a neon "Vacancy" notice at a Motel 6.
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R
Terrible and ridiculous rule or suggestion! if people can’t figure out where the players are on the board, then they’re not paying attention.
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P
Awful rule change! Most of us are smart enough to follow the category without contestants reading the entire category. Drop it!
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P
I think it feels awkward and breaks the momentum, especially when somebody is running a category.
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O
Slows down the play too much. Perhaps a ploy to keep prize totals/scores down? Or perhaps to build up a back log of extra questions in case of another strike?
They ought to work on writing more coherent/better questions.
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O
They shouldn't have to repeat the whole category title for the slowpoke watchers! I agree that that full title repetition slows the game & retards enjoyment. A mere abbreviated reference to category title is sufficient!! From a 50 yr. enjoyer of Jeopardy!!
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G
Ridiculous rule
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O
It is not difficult to follow the contestant's category choices. Seriously? They're shown on the screen as the clue is being revealed! It's awkward and cumbersome to repeat the entire category over and over. I think it's an unnecessary "suggestion".
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O
Stupid and annoying rule.
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O
It’s so frustrating to listen to the contestants say the entire question, especially when all 3 contestants pick the same category one right after another.
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G
From guest hosts, to 2 hosts, to firing a producer to this. None of the changes to the game or belly aching from fans would have happened with Alex Trebek as host.
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P
It feels awkward and breaks up the momentum, especially when someone is running a category.
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L
I think it stinks. I can see no advantage to it. If Ken isn’t sure to which category they are referring, he just ASKS them. No big deal. Reading the whole title is a waste of time and slows the flow.
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B
It is annoying. Get rid of the “recommendation”.
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P
The game will run much smoother with an abbreviated reading.
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B
I was wondering why everyone was suddenly being so formal & robotic. It’s been driving everyone nuts! We’re yelling at the TV… and it’s made watching the show kind of boring and “draggy” for the first time since 1964!!!
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O
I think it should be rescinded - it’s very silly!
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O
Ken reads it that should be enough
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R
Absolutely ridiculous reading the whole category name each time.
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C
Ugh, hate it.
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C
I agree with the person who said that the categories should have less complicated wording if this rule persists.
It’s especially annoying, down right dumb, when it the only category left!
3
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R
Do the same as Celebrity Jeopardy.
Light up the category they choose.
Answer already in place!
3
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R
I hate the new rule, it messes up the flow of the game. I too was yelling at the contestants , “You don’t have to say the whole category! “ I like what is done on Celebrity Jeopardy!, where the chosen category is highlighted at the top of the board.
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G
Absurd new rule. Slows down the game. Drop it!!!!!
3
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O
What is stupid?
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O
Ridiculous rule
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B
Awkward and slows down the rhythm of the game. A definite thumbs down.
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G
I think it's silly to read the entire category.
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P
Not a good rule. Lose it.
3
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B
It is annoying - get rid of that rule - it is much better the other way
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G
Dumbest "rule" ever. Get rid of it
3
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G
I think it’s silly and unnecessary to repeat the entire category name.
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B
This is the most irritating thing you have done on Jeopardy to date. It wastes time and interrupts the flow.
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O
Reading the whole category title every time is off-putting. This was a bad rule change. Again, are we dumbing down the game because a few people can't follow it? Do not let Jeopardy! go the way of NYT crossword puzzle in order to seek less experienced audiences.
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O
I think it's absolutely ridiculous that they have to read the whole category. It disrupts the flow for the contestant, and takes more time, hindering the ability to answer more questions. They can post the whole category name on the screen for viewers, but let the contestants just say one or two words of the category.
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R
In the case of the Lou Gehrig question. They could just Lou Gehrig.
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P
Hate it. Makes the game go too slow. If the contestants have to say it all then the catagories need to be no more than 3 words.
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O
Dont like new rule. And everyone talks too fast --
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C
Stupid rule, recommendation or not. How about shortening the category name and offering an explanation? It's done for names containing "quotation marks."
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G
Terrible decision, just make it easier on the players. This will let the game roll on.
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B
A ridiculous "rule" even if it is just a suggestion. Very disruptive to the flow of the game, IMO. If they insist on keeping this going, come up with much shorter category titles. Stop catering to people who are either too busy or too lazy to pay attention to the game. SMH.
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G
Since the issue only affects the TV audience, why not simply caption the rule with the clue when it's on the screen? I never know which category is being read, but that certainly shouldn't be the contestants' problem...
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C
If someone is watching Jeopardy it isn't a 5 year old, we are adults!
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R
I’m thinking if they’re smart enough to be invited to the show they’re smart enough to watch the board and recognize the categories with one or two words to single it out. Ridiculous rule change.
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G
I offer a compromise: if playing the same category, it is not necessary to identify it in full. Those who think it's cute to bounce around should have to say the entire category. This still permits bouncing, but it does discourage it a bit.
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G
So Sam Buttrey would have had to say, "Bring it with the last clue from During Lou Gehrig's consecutive game streak!?" How petty are these guys!
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O
The new rule/recommendation would probably work well for lawyers, who have an occupational propensity to use 10 words when 2 will suffice. But really, since a contestant must of necessity identify the category, does it really matter how they do it? And if people can't keep-up with "where contestants are on the board", they're probably not sharp enough to be watching this show in the first place. Maybe they should try Wheel of Fortune or the Price is Right
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R
I prefer the abbreviated readings. If people can't keep up, they're not paying attention. It's especially annoying when the contestant abbreviates, then realizes they have to go back and read the entire thing.
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P
I really dislike this. It's harder on the contestants especially when they forget and have to restart the category title. Takes up more time, slows down the rhythm of play. Seriously Jeopardy how many people complained about not knowing where contestants are on the board versus how many are complaining about this unnecessary change?
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O
Who complained in the first place? This show has been on for decades. Unless the majority of letters complain about something why mess with it? Maybe stop using such ridiculous category names in the first place.
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G
Go back . If you are a real watcher,you know what the category is. Change back please.
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C
I agree that it's very annoying and takes time away from the game. Some contestants are slow to start with, and then having to read a long title just wastes precious time. More answers could be selected. I was literally yelling at my TV! "Don't read the whole title!!!!"
Sooo annoying! Please change the rule back!!!!!
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O
If the viewers aren't smart enough to follow the category, they shouldn't even be watching the show!
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P
Awful rule change! Why can’t they add the title of the Category they’re on like they do for final Jeopardy?
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O
Very annoying to hear the contestants stating the entire category every time as well as saying 'please' with each choice. On occasion I've changed channels to watch something else as both were so annoying.
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P
I'm split. On the one hand, I like it because this generation is incapable of even using whole words. But on the other hand, current phone addict attention spans are garbage, so I don't want to do anything to help them out. Such a hard decision.
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P
I don’t really care… I’m more amazed at how rabid Jeopardy fans (fanatics) are; even more so once Alex passed away.
Nothing stays the same in life, and with Alex gone, you fans are insistent that everything stays EXACTLY the same… it becomes tiresome to hear Jeopardy fans are mad about (insert whatever) over the last two years.
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