‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Complain About Harrison Whitaker’s ‘Annoying’ Habits
What To Know
- Harrison Whitaker, currently on a seven-game winning streak with over $208,000, has drawn criticism from Jeopardy! fans for speaking too quickly, mumbling, and swaying on stage.
- Some viewers find his habits distracting and have voiced frustration on social media, with a few even saying they stopped watching because of his mannerisms.
- Other fans defend Whitaker, attributing his behavior to nerves and suggesting using subtitles for those who struggle to understand him.
As Harrison Whitaker goes for win number eight on Jeopardy!, fans can’t help but point out his “annoying” habits on air. Some viewers think he talks too fast and doesn’t enunciate words, and sways back and forth too much.
Whitaker has a seven-day total of $208,201, despite not knowing who Kenny Rogers was in yesterday’s game. He will play game eight on November 20 against new contestants.
On a post about him now reaching over $200,000, a Facebook user in the group, Jeopardy Fan Group, wrote, “I wish he’d stand still.”
“It drives me nuts,” wrote another.
“Really like Harrison, but I can’t stand his swaying back and forth. Wish he would stand still,” a third added.
However, some fans said it is probably due to nerves and to “give him a break.” “If I was on the show, I’d probably sway too. It’s probably a nervous thing,” one fan said.
Another Jeopardy! watcher said, “He talks too fast! Really annoying!” Whitaker has mumbled and given his responses so fast that, even host Ken Jennings had to ask him to repeat what he said during his third game.
“He talks too fast and mumbles,” agreed another.
“Harrison speaks so quickly. I can no longer watch him compete,” said a fan.
“He speaks too fast and mumbles. I quit watching and will come back when he loses. My opinion,” a fan said.
“He’s annoying me,” a Facebook user said.
However, other fans have said that he is doing a great job and encourage watchers to put on the subtitles if they can’t understand him.
Check out an example of Whitaker’s speech and swaying above. Have you noticed these habits from Whitaker? What do you think of them? Let us know in the comments.
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J
I think he’s awesome!! Sharp, intelligent, well mannered, humble and never displays any signs of being greedy or full of himself. Go Harrison!
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R
I think viewers complaining about Harrison’s, mumbling, swaying, etc. give me a break, get a life.
The guy is brilliant, I only wish I could be half as smart.
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R
You can still be brilliant and annoying and he's both, but I can deal with it... He's a Great Player.
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S
Brilliant is factual. Annoying is judgmental.
Instead of ascribing that characteristic to him, how about just saying that YOU are annoyed by it… you own the annoyance, not him.
Anyone that criticizes him is the owner of those feelings/thoughts.
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T
It baffles me that some people spend their time looking for reasons to criticise someone. Harrisons brilliance is astonishing. I for one simply admire his brain and I also think his mannerisms and humiltiy is a cute sidenote. People who have a need to look for and criticise others often have low opinions of their ownself and criticising others for meaningless things makes them feel better about themselves.
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T
He is so smart. I think the sway is him showing he is nervous.
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M
This guy is fantastic. I am always amazed at some of the questions he readily knows without hesitation. I am excited that he will possibly break records. Go Harrison. Haters are just jealous. I am rooting for you.
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G
Plenty of contestants have swayed in the past & I don't recall seeing complaints. I have gotten used to his fast-paced speech & can now understand him more easily. My only gripe is on how he turns & glares at his neighboring contestants if they dare to buzz in first.....That habit needs to go; IMO, contestant handlers need to speak to him about that as it's utterly rude.
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R
I know TVINSIDER requires a story about Jeopardy to be written every weekday. This is one we didn't need. Leave Harrison alone.
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B
Absolutely agree!
Criticizing someone for how they look while being smart (and a good player) is not smart.
Side note: some folks with back or foot issues relieve pain when standing by swaying.
The contestants have to stand for a bit,
Harrison is smart, courteous, and a fine jeopardy aficionado.
Enjoy his reign.
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D
This young man has captivated me. He reminds me a little of James Holzhauer who acted quickly, spoke very succinctly and I am glad he's still around. Is he a Sam, a James...I don't know but he is refreshing. He can sway as much as he wants to. I noticed it but so what.
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D
Whitaker displays symptoms of autism as did Holzhauer with swaying and fast speech replies.
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C
I think he's great! Very smart and I hope he keeps it going. Obviously, he's got an extraordinary wealth of knowledge even if he may be a little quirky he's deserved every win! Most of the big winners have some habits that some find annoying.
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A
Give him a break ! He's highly intelligent but probably a bit nervous. Who wouldn't be ?!? His brain works fast, so he speaks quickly. I'm happy for him and rooting for him each night! 😄
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T
You may think he’s annoying but there are many Jeopardy fans and players who know how it feels to play so maybe not everyone has to be mad at such a smart person. Harrison is a great player and people should be happy that he won he’s a great player and a great person 😉👍
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O
A term for viewers watching Jeopardy complaining about winners? JEALOUS. Harrison is a handsome guy, BF material I’d take home to mom!!!
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M
Swaying is a form of stimming for neurodivergent people. He may be on the Autistic spectrum.
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M
Of course his swaying is a bit distracting but you'd sway too if you were on a wonderful run like he is! My goodness, folks, this is a game! It isn't about YOU! Get a life.
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G
He is laughing all the way to the bank!! Keep on Rocking!
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A
He looks like a sweet, kind individual. Anyone who is that incredibly intelligent is bound to have a few quirks. Best wishes to him.
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R
F the Harrison haters.
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V
He’s awesome. Stop looking for reasons nit to like him. You’re probably jealous.
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T
The guy is doing an amazing job. It's not like he's on camera for the full 22 min show. Cut him a little slack.
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R
He is a nice person, well mannered humble, intelligent, etc
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T
Of course what would a day be without so-called Jeopardy! fans moaning and complaining about the behavior of everyday people competing on TV in front of millions of viewers???
Harrison is a true gentleman and an excellent game player. He displays class and dignity at all times.
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J
Absolutely true! These people need to find something really important to consume their time!
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G
Harrison has actually responded to 4 questions without phrasing them as a question and gets to just go on. Pay attention Men!
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G
Ken!
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G
Wish Jeopardy would limit participants to one week. Contestants like Harrison make the show boring.
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D
I was glad to see that others are annoyed as well as me for his fast answers and his swaying. He needs to be more disciplined since he is winning so much money.
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S
He’s adorable.
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M
Harrison spoke so fast even when choosing a category and then his questions too hard to follow. Don’t forget we play along at home!
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M
He's a pain in the ass.
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C
Tell that guy to freakin stand still! I can’t even watch and I love Jeapordy.
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A
I've got mild OCD, slightly impaired hearing and misophonia and have not noticed what people are complaining about- yet. Now I will. Just see a very fast-speaking guy who seems unstoppable, although each day a little more fatigued and vulnerable.
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6
Insincere demeaner, fake British accent, talks too fast, mumbles, rocks back and forth. Pouts after wrong answers.
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D
As a person in his sixties, I find that most young people speak too fast and mumble a lot.
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M
He's just not my cup of tea.
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C
SIMPLE SOLUTION: Don't watch then! Geez!!🤷🏻♀️
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G
Jeez - clickbait much??
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M
There were other contestants who swayed even more, not a big deal. But he speaks so quickly and indistinctly that it sounds like he's failing the question "who is" or "what is" through out both rounds. Very annoying!
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W
He speaks so fast in a mumble that I never know what the answer is?? Could Ken repeat the answer for us slow thinkers?? very frustrating!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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D
Could YOU turn on Closed Captioning which has every single word he is saying?
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J
I like him, except he should lose his phony British accent.
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K
It's not phony. He has been living in the UK and naturally picked it up. I live in the NE, but after I return from a visit to relatives in the South, I have a Southern accent.
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6
The accent is terrible
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C
I'm sure he speaks more eloquently than YOU do!
Maybe you should stop watching for a few more days!🤷🏻♀️
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S
His swaying drives me crazy
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J
He stared down the lady next to him the other night when she was calculating how much she should wager on her Daily Double. It what an intimidating stare.
Also, that little gratuitous clapping his does at the end to say bravo to his opponents is childish.
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K
I’ve been looking through comments to see if anyone feels similarly. The guy is a narcissist. His ‘heartwarming’ self anecdotes of how brilliant he was as a child, the way he stares down other opponents when they beat him to answering, and the little curl of disgust and sneer on his face at the daily double says it all.
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H
He talks too fast
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J
it was the gerbil causing the swaying
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S
My wife and I can't stand Harrison Whitaker because he constantly sways back and forth and speaks too fast which make him un-telegenic, especially for the Jeopardy entertainment product. However, it is fun to see Whitaker turn and pout when he gets a question wrong.
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C
Maybe you should just STOP watching for awhile..if it's causing you THAT much "anxiety"!!🙄 Sounds like a YOU PROBLEM...
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B
I'd rather have him talking fast than to have Ken Jennings continue to host....BRING BACK MAYIM!!
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B
No thank you. She was annoying.
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T
NO WAY! Ken is Jeopardy like Alex was. For her it was just another Gig. She was horriblle as a host.
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E
Are you crazy? She had to constantly wait for the prompter to confirm that the answer was right or wrong before saying yes or no! My Gosh!! Go watch Let's Make a Deal! A program more to your level I think!
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G
"BRING BACK MAYIM!!"
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😱😂
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