The November 25, 2024, episode of “Jeopardy!” has ignited controversy due to a visual clue that inadvertently disclosed its answer, prompting discussions about the show’s clue vetting process and overall integrity.
During the episode, returning champion Adam Hersh, an attorney from New York, competed against Carolyn Gramling, a science writer from Washington, D.C., and Kevin Laskowski, an Episcopal priest from Falls Church, Virginia.
The contentious moment arose with a $600 clue in the “Time For A Cocktail?” category. The clue asked about Helen Gurley Brown becoming “this publication’s first female editor in the 1960s.” The accompanying image displayed the word “Cosmopolitan” in the background, effectively revealing the answer to the contestants.
Fans quickly took to social media to express their frustration. One viewer tweeted, “This is the most blatant example of an image clue giving away the answer ever.” Another noted, “The word was overexposed and difficult to see on my TV.”
While some viewers acknowledged that similar incidents might have occurred in the past, many felt this particular case set a new precedent for how obvious and unchallenging such a mistake could be.
Critics highlighted that the word “Cosmopolitan” being visible in the background left little room for genuine competition, undermining the integrity of the question. Additionally, some viewers expressed broader dissatisfaction with image clues, arguing that they often detract from the intellectual challenge of the game.
They called for stricter standards to ensure visual aids don’t make answers excessively straightforward, particularly when the solution is displayed verbatim.
This incident is not isolated. In a previous episode, a clue about the Jonas Brothers similarly displayed their name in the background, leading to comparable criticisms. These recurring issues have led some viewers to call for eliminating image clues, citing concerns about fairness and the integrity of the game.
The episode also featured dramatic gameplay. Hersh led early but missed a crucial Daily Double, allowing Laskowski to gain momentum by nearly sweeping the rap category, including correctly answering a clue about “U Can’t Touch This.” Laskowski finished the “Double Jeopardy!” round with a commanding lead of $20,200, while Hersh had $7,200 and Gramling $5,600.
In “Final Jeopardy!,” only Hersh correctly answered, “What is Around the World in 80 Days?” However, Laskowski’s strategic wager of $5,000 secured his victory with a final total of $15,200, compared to Hersh’s $14,300.
“Jeopardy!” producers have not issued an official statement regarding the incident. The recurrence of such issues raises questions about the show’s clue review process and its commitment to maintaining a fair and challenging competition.