‘Jeopardy!’ Makes Two Major Changes Ahead of Season 42
Don’t worry Jeopardy! fans! The game show you know and love isn’t changing too much, but there are two changes happening in Season 42 that die-hard fans might notice.
Production for Season 42 is set to begin next week with 200+ crew members, despite new episodes not airing until Monday, September 8. With a new season comes changes, with one being “unpopular” among fans.
According to The U.S. Sun, “The show has some changes in the works to jazz up season 42.”
“No one is jumping the shark, the format and all that, the heart of the show, will be the same,” an insider told the outlet. “But there will be new set pieces and, unfortunately for the fans, there will be some, perhaps even an increase, in sponsored categories. Producers know that’s not popular with fans, and quite frankly, a lot of the production team doesn’t like it either.”
“But it’s part of the game. It helps with revenue and cross promotion, so it is what it is,” the insider ended.
Sponsored categories on Jeopardy! are categories where a product or service is advertised, often by having a celebrity introduce the category or read the clues. Usually, the celebrity is promoting a new project, such as a movie or TV show that corresponds with the category. The most recent example of this is Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reading clues for the “Freakier Fridays” category to promote their upcoming film, Freakier Friday, out August 8.
A lot of fans aren’t fond of the category, especially when it is a celebrity promoting something like skincare or beer. “Categories like ‘Michael Strahan’s Skin Care Line’ from early this season or ‘Budweiser and Sports’ from the 9/7 rerun are incredibly annoying,” a Reddit user said.
“100% agree, although the TV and movie ones bother me too. The product placements used to be more subtle. Now they are outright unapologetic commercials. And they take forever for the video guest to read the lengthy clues. Plus, they are never well-written or clever clues or even interesting,” another said.
“It does bug me a bit when they finish the category, and then the host says, ‘And you can watch [X], out in theaters this Friday.’ Feels dirty, man,” a third added.
“The only thing that really bugs me about it is that they seem obligated to go through all the questions in the sponsored categories in a round, but they’re often longer video clues that eat up time. There are usually a few questions on the board at the end of any rounds with sponsored categories,” one last fan said.
What do you think of the change? Let us know in the comments.
Jeopardy!, Season 42, September 8, check local listings
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Comments are closed on this story.
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P
I hate those sponsored categories! They are time confusing and of no interest to me---a nightly viewer of the show. Too many of these revenue-increasing gimmicks and too many show spinoffs will destroy the show.
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The poorly-disguised ads are tacky and annoying.
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R
A celeb reading clues about the celeb's career doesn't bother me. That is in the category of pop culture about that celeb. A celeb reading clue about a product line like skin care does bother me. "I'll take feminine hygiene products for $800, Ken!"
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R
Not a fan of changes
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C
I do not like these sponsored categories. The clue is too long and you can't read for better comprehension. Not everybody is an auditory learner
As long as your keeping Ken Jennings and his beautiful paisley ties, I will always eatch.
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G
I'll put up with the adds as long as Jeopardy keeps its mainline format.
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P
So what is the second change coming in season 42?
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R
new set pieces
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G
Meaning what? I am used to "set pieces" in a sports context. Does it mean changing the look of the set on stage?
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B
What about uping the amount the 2nd and 3rd place go home with since it has not changed like never.
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G
I can’t stand those glorified commercials! Lengthy, time eaters, and totally ridiculous!
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O
I don’t like those self serving categories I am a nightly viewer and record every episode. The categories are below the standards set. Get rid of the.
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C
Terrible!! Cannot stand them!
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P
Much ado about nothing..just keep them interesting and relevant.
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Foolish
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I don't mind those changes.
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Alex is rolling over in his grave
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G
Capitalism wins again. Not what Jeopardy is supposed to be about. Very disappointed in the sell out.
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R
Best improvement they could make is to limit the amount you can wager in double Jeopardy… Would reduce the amount of luck and increase correlation with skill and knowledge.
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G
Then it wouldn't be "double" jeopardy if you can't bet it all!
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G
They should use the revenue to increase payments to the runners up. I believe 2nd should get 10K, 3rd 5K and the winner guaranteed 10K
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G
I usually mute them and Ken's shameless promo at the end. I don't care whether I get them right or wrong.
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G
One change I wouldn't mind is one they tried 2 or 3 years ago during a specialty tournament. They showed the viewing audience where Daily Doubles were located on the board before play began.
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R
Next they'll be trying to push a political agenda.
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I'm ok with advertisements/product placements being part of the show. All games shows used to have sponsored series or episodes, but it was never embedded into the game itself. That is a step too far for me. Jeopardy has been watered down a lot in recent years. I'm out.
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Doesn’t bother me a bit.
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What would an article about Jeopardy! on TV Insider be without a bunch of complaints from so-called Jeopardy! fans on Reddit? In this case, the producers are doing what any successful business tries to do -- increase revenue.
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And THAT'S the truth!!!😃
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Works for me!
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R
I hate the sponsored categories. As with everything else on jeopardy it will be political in selections. Send Ken packing and bring in someone who only cares about showing a good game show.
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#1 - Get rid of Ken Jennings!!! He's a pompous over-achiever who talks down to every contestant. "Good for you." Bring back Mayim Bialik!!! She's down to earth, candid, trustworthy, funny (which helps in a tense situation). In my opinion, she was the better option when the two were completing for the top spot.
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God no!!! Bialik was TERRIBLE
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