‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Complain Champ Bevin Blaber Makes Them ‘Dizzy’ With Her Constant Moving on Stage
Jeopardy! fans are never slow in voicing their opinions. And they were quick to chime in about contestant Bevin Blaber, who became the show’s new champ after winning the Juneteenth edition. What sparked a reaction among viewers was Blaber’s habit of rocking back and forth and moving around a lot, which fans claimed made them “dizzy.”
Blaber, from Schenectady, New York, played against Jacob Hale, from Anchorage, Alaska, and Vivek Upadhyay, from Princeton, New Jersey, on Thursday, June 19. She won with $600 after a chaotic and brutal Final Jeopardy question. Upadhyay ended with $2 while Hale, the reigning champion at the time, ended with $0.
Aside from the painful final question, there was something else that Jeopardy! fans focused on — how Blaber, a writer, didn’t stop moving throughout the show.
Her movements could be seen, especially during the category “Brooklyn Neighborhoods.” She swayed back and forth side to side and leaned down a bit to press on the buzzer. Blaber only stopped swaying when she didn’t know the answer to one of the clues in the category. She even moved her buzzer back and forth as she gave answers.
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During the Final Jeopardy clue, Blaber shook her head, put her hand up to her mouth when she wasn’t sure of the answer, and shrugged while the other players had poker faces and stood still.
When host Ken Jennings revealed her answer, Blaber swayed back and forth and had animated expressions when she got it wrong. When she won, Blaber pumped her fist and covered her mouth. She also gave a slight bow at her podium. Blaber might have been excited or nervous, but some fans found it distracting.
“Not trying to be mean, but was her fidgeting a distraction or was it just me?” an Instagram user asked. Many replied that it wasn’t just them, but others said they found it distracting and entertaining.
“I need this girl on #Jeopardy to stand still. Between the rocking from side to side and throwing her buzzer and hands around, she’s making me dizzy. I know it’s nervous every, but good heavens,” an X user tweeted. “It’s playing with my head. So distracting.”
“Omg I’m glad someone else said something about the constant moving. Girl STAND STILL! That was super distracting,” a third wrote.
Some fans said that if she won, they would have to skip her next game. “I might have to stay away from #Jeopardy until the current champion is done. Way too much moving around and wild gestures for me,” another wrote.
“I enjoyed Bevin’s ‘energetic style’ tonight. Don’t know if I want to watch it for a stretch of episodes though… Also liked her interaction with Jacob after the ruling. #Jeopardy,” another said.
Some fans thought she was entertaining and hope she wins many games. “Unpopular opinion: I hope Bevin wins 20 or so straight games. I think she’s entertaining as hell. She looks like she’s nervous as heck but still having fun #jeopardy,” a fan tweeted.
“Unpopular opinion, I kinda like Bevin’s energy but also, that final jeopardy was brutal #jeopardy,” said another.
“I hope Bevin ends up a 40-day champ just to annoy all these couch potatoes complaining about her movements. #Jeopardy,” a third added.
“I loved Bevin’s movements and enthusiasm throughout the game! As far as charisma fun goes, Bevin might be my favourite player all season!” a YouTuber user said.
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Comments are closed on this story.
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O
I was so surprised that she was moving around so much, and I honestly thought the producer would tell her to be still during a commercial break. When the game resumed, and she continued her calisthenics, I changed the channel. She was so annoying, I could no longer enjoy watching. If she returns tonight, I do hope the producer told her to stop the distracting movements.
62 3
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C
I thought she was adorable! Bet she wins all of her tickle-matches! 😂🤣😜😀
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C
My wife and I had to change the channel and we love jeopardy.
45 3
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G
Her gyrations were both annoying and distracting. If she wins a second time I will stop watching until after she loses.
43 7
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C
Yay, she lost tonight,, she was much too annoying, swaying, moving her shoulders with every word, etc.
39 6
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O
Was glad she lost tonight. Uncomfortable to watch her gyrating.
39 7
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G
She is about to lose on her 2nd appearance. THANK GOD! Distracting irritating and shouldn’t be allowed.
36 6
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R
I don’t think it’s fair to the contestant standing next to her to distract them
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C
I so agree. I have motion sickness and I couldn’t watch her. Probably nervous energy but my goodness.
31 5
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O
Quirky is one thing, This total inability to stop moving and gyrating is just plain annoying.
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O
She drives me crazy. I can’t watch her. It’s so distracting.
13 2
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O
VERY MUCH SO!!! Hope she does not win.
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G
She was over the top with all that gesturing, posturing & wearing her feelings on her sleeve; I was hoping someone on the production team would have told her to tone it down. I was relieved to see her opponent, a social studies teacher, win with a runaway score.
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O
Her constant moving around and gesticulating was extremely off-putting. Looks like somebody didn't get enough attention as a child. I'm glad she won't be back!
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C
Well said! I will resume watching and enjoying Jeopardy when she is no longer a contestant. Why does Jeopardy allow contestants to behave in such a way that it distracts the other contestants focus and the viewers ability to watch the show without getting motion sickness? Her flirting and constant need to call attention to herself was revolting.
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C
I'm glad she lost. I think that was her way of trying to distract or rattle her opponents, by rocking back and forth. I also detected she's a sore loser, with that look on her face, while the credits rolled at the end.
8 1
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C
It couldn’t have been more annoying.
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C
Too much movement. Very distracting
8 1
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O
Blevin was very distracting. I'm glad she's off
7 1
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G
I have to agree with all these comments, she WAS super annoying, the constant swaying and arm movements were distracting , I was waiting for her to start doing jumping jacks. Her win was a fluke based on the other contestants poor choices for betting in final Jeopardy.
8 3
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C
She could have gotten on-top of the lectern and started doing the breaststroke! 😜😂🤣🤪💕❤️
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G
Does she have MS or Parkinson’s?
9 4
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O
BOTH!!!! SHE MADE ME DIZZY & NAUSEOUS AT THE SAME TIME!!!!
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B
It also reminded me of the continuous-motion, herky-jerky movements I see with tweakers on bodycam vids.
4 1
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B
MS doesn't cause that kind of movement.
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P
Not cool! I live with MS, and I do not move like this. Nor does anyone I know of that has one of these diseases. Please educate yourself before making such an outrageous comment.
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O
Not me,I hated watching her. Her movements made me nuts. So happy when she lost. I couldn’t take much more of that. I the future, I would hope if another contestant that can’t stand still is told by the producers during commercial, to STOP it.!!!!!!
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G
I glad she lost. Could not standby and watch her twist and turn. I hope she never return
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O
I loved Bevin, and I didn't mind her constant moving at all. I think she might be neurodivergent and possibly swimming, or that she might have a health condition like Parkinson's. And I also think that a lot of people are mean and judgemental.
5 2
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D
Her moving around drove me nuts....! I actually did not watch the next episode as I did not want to see her. There are only 2 other contestants in my thirty years of watching Jeopardy that I did not want to see again.
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O
I thought she must have some sort of disease like Asperger's or something 🤷🏻♀️
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O
Yes. Thank you. People can be so mean or perhaps unthoughtful or both. But you're definitely correct.
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O
Her moving around was very distracting. She’s not the first and won’t be the last.
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P
I find her the most annoying contestant I have ever watched on Jeopardy. I will not continue to watch until she loses.
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B
Could be she was trying (way too hard) to garner attention. Or she was feeling the effects of some stimulant. (And I'm speaking from rueful experience.) Still, it was a goofy, disturbing performance.
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O
Very distracting. I won't watch until she is off the show. All focus on her ridiculous moves.
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P
I agree that her moving around was irritating. So much so that I did not watch her second show. The producers should have cut her during the trials.
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O
I wondered if she had some medical condition that caused her movements.
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C
My interpretation of Ms Blaber's physical movements is so different from any of the other commentors. I think she is, what my granddaughter calls "a show off". I think she had all of you fooled. LOL
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G
Do you think she acts like this in her "real " life? Do you think it's a birth defect?
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O
Simply turn it off. Don't be a hater
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C
While attractive, she was incredibly annoying and distracting.
On another note, in a previous column regarding politics and especially the JD Vance Hillbilly Elegy question, after thinking about it, I wonder why no one got upset about the whole host of Obama (and the Mrs [for now]), Biden Hilary and Bill etc.
Is it the political questions many don't like or is it . . . those what reference the current administration.
Can't or shouldn't have it both ways.
Inquiring minds want to know.
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B
TV
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G
Glad she lost. Mental patient
4 3
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P
I have a solution. I’m just listening to Jeopardy now, I’m not watching it. Much more relaxing.
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B
Don't bring Sigmund Freud into it.
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R
Her tremendous attitude and fun spirit made her a joy to watch. Sad that she lost in her second game. Jeopardy! needs more fun contestants like her.
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J
I've been called the fidgety-est podcaster on YouTube. I'm also a writer. It's not intentional. It's just how some of us think (with motion). I also type standing up, and sway back and forth. I'm guessing Bevin does too -- at least some of the time. It would also explain why she is so comfortable behind the podium.
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R
I think the comments in this post are annoying and make me dizzy at how F…N mean and awful people can be 🤮
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G
My first thought was that she had a neurological issue. Maybe a Turettes syndrome thing?
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C
Much as I love the show I quit watching Jeopardy when Ken Jennings became the host. I thought he might improve at first, but he never has. Why the producers thought they needed a genius IQ to take the place of the highly personable & self-effacing Alec Trebec is beyond me. He was the first to poke fun at himself for never being the smartest guy in the room. Personality & brains don't necessarily come in the same package & in KJs case, they don't. Jennings always appears to keep his "I'm smarter than you" attitude. I'll go back to watching when a new host is chosen.
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G
So many unkind comments. She was smart and energetic. I wonder if she has a condition where the movements are not completely under her control. In any case I loved her enthusiasm.
1 1
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B
Bravery! Judgemental, uninformed and unemphatic (not to mention just plain rude) folks...how can you take that...that...out in public? Oh, sorry, it's your face.
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B
I'd rather hang out with Bevin than any of the whiny complainers on this thread.
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G
When i seen a clip of her i thought maybe she has a health issue all the jumping around lol like really just stop ✋️
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O
We wondered if she was an Asperge patient. Otherwise why the jerky manner? We had decided not to watch if she continued.
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O
People who do the sign language move about like that. I bet you she does sign language.
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O
I assumed she has some kind of medical/physical condition that prevented her from standing still like everyone else.
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G
I’m glad they told her to stop swaying. It was distracting
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G
Where was it said that she was told to "stop swaying?"
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R
Neurologist here. Tardive dyskinesia? Athetosis?
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G
Perhaps it was a simple case of narcissism.
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P
Please explain, then, why she stands still if she does not know the answer.
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O
You all should be ashamed of your mean sick hearts. It was her way. Leave her alone!
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G
The hatred here is ASTONISHING. Oh my, you were annoyed by someone's movements...which she likely has little control over. Yet you behave as if she was doing it to get under your skin (and it clearly worked).
Makes me wonder what YOU do that annoys others.
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G
She was literally a PITA to me.
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G
They need to get a life!
2 3
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O
She most likely suffers from Tourette's Syndrome. The involuntary movements are a typical presentation.
1 3
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O
I'm certain that she is on the Asperger's scale with high marks in many things other than what people have mentioned here.
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G
My gosh do you not realize that she might not can control it, really people!
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G
Nonsense. There were moments between her antics that she stood still.
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C
Oh shush. I think she's cute.
2 6
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G
an attractive, intelligent woman on tv. oh no!!! anyone complaining about her can go stick their heads in an oven.
4 18
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C
She really showed her intellect today.
2 1
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B
What a hateful comment.
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