Jeopardy!season 41 had some of the most fascinatingly difficult clues of the show’s run, includingone finalJeopardyquestion that left the contestants and viewers completely stumped. ThroughoutJeopardy’slong run, the show has been known for some of the most mind-bending moments of competitive trivia seen on TV. While some have been able to keep up with the clues as they’ve rolled through the game board, others have foundJeopardy!to be getting increasingly more difficult as the years go by. Withhost Ken Jennings one of the all-time greats, few others have lived up to his standards.
While Ken may be holding the reigns when it comes to giving the clues,Jeopardy!contestants are typically some of the most generally knowledgeable people around. As they’ve moved through their chances to play and rack up prize money, they’ve all come across questions they’re not entirely sure how to answer. While most of the round-to-round questions are typically something the contestants have a bit of knowledge of,FinalJeopardy!questions can be a bit tougheroverall. With the final questions more of a struggle for some,they can change the game in the last seconds or ensure a win.
A Recent Final Jeopardy Question Was A True Stumper
Even A Reigning Champ Couldn’t Answer
During a recentJeopardy!episode, the final question of the game as all about the America of the past. The category, “Places Of The American Past”, was meant to be a bit more confusing than some of the questions and categories covered in the game previously. Throwing the contestants off by using clues about places that, likely, no longer exist, it was clear from their expressions during their thirty second window to write down their answer that they were having a tough time coming up with the right place.The difficult question lingered on 50 plus years worth of knowledge.
The clue, which was revealed to be"It’s the building where the Stax Records classic “Knock On Wood” was written, but it’s remembered for other reasons", hinged on a few different understandings, andas the answers were revealed, it was clear that the contestants hadn’t been able to put the pieces together. The first two contestants to give their answers didn’t bother to write anything in, instead losing money on their wagers without having answered.Andrew Hayes, at the time a five-day winner, answered on the right track, but incorrectly. The question’s answer, the Lorraine Motel, wasn’t found by anyone.
He Wasn’t On The Money Exactly
Although Andrew, who ultimately became a seven-day winner andqualified for the Tournament Of Champions, was able to get close to the answer, even he wasn’t able to come up with the correct one. While there are questions that tend to stump contestants, even viewers were struggling with the fact that the question was so difficult. According toTV Insider, many viewers took their grievances online about the question, sharing they felt it shouldn’t have been in a regular Jeopardy! game. Instead, viewers believedthe question would’ve been better suited for aJeopardy! Mastersepisode, or the Tournament Of Champions.
Should Final Jeopardy Questions Be Up To Par With Champion Questions?
Many Felt Strongly They Should Be A Bit More General
While some were okay with a tougher question being part of Final Jeopardy, others felt it was out of place in the general game. With fewer tournaments onJeopardy!in recent years, the tough questions often get relegated to the Tournament Of Champions orwind up onJeopardy! Masters, with those who have proven they can take the heat. Without some tough questions to throw contestants off their rhythm, though,it’s possible that the show could grow stale or find itself too easy for those who try out. A toughJeopardy!question in the final round is the right move.
Jeopardy!airs weekdays. Check your local listings for time and channel.
