'Danger!' contestant Heather Ryan is speaking out after experiencing an awkward incident on the popular game show.
Ryan, a health program director in Binghamton, New York, acknowledged the “sexist” cues that caused a stir on “Jeopardy!” It made her feel “uncomfortable.”
In the episode that aired on October 28, host Ken Jennings read out hints from the category “Completing rhyming phrases.”
'Danger!' host Ken Jennings slams 'very problematic' sexist cues, apologizes to female players
“Danger!” contestant Heather Ryan said she felt “discomforted” by the game show's questionable clues. (Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images/YouTube/ABC)
The prompt read, “Men rarely pass…”
Returning champion Will Wallace answered correctly: “The girl who wears glasses.”
This problematic phrase is attributed to famous poet Dorothy Parker.
In the episode that aired on October 28, game show host Ken Jennings read out “awkward” hints from the category “Complete rhyming phrases.” (Jeopardy!/ABC/YouTube)
“It's definitely an odd choice,” Ryan, a female contestant who wore glasses on the show, told the Binghamton University newspaper. pipe dream.
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Heather Ryan explained how controversial “Jeopardy!” is. The clue was about the effect it had on young female students. (Jeopardy!/ABC/YouTube)
“I think the audience and everyone on stage and Ken Jennings felt a little uncomfortable. It was like, 'Oh, that was unexpected.'
“In 2024, more rhyming phrases may be chosen,” she suggested.
Ryan went on to explain how controversial “Jeopardy!” is. The clue was about the effect it had on young female students.
“Unfortunately, there are girls out there who still do this. [in] “They don't want to wear glasses and they're missing out on education, so I think being able to see is much better than anything else,” she argued.
Despite the tense situation, Ryan said he had a “great time” on the game show.
Despite the tense situation, Heather Ryan said she had a “great time” on the game show. (Jeopardy!/ABC/YouTube)
“Everyone who participated was so welcoming. This is part of American culture, so when I heard about it, I definitely wanted to be a part of it.”
“It's very special to play a small role in such a big role,” she said. “It's been running for 40 years, so I had to play my part in it.”
In an episode about “Danger!”, Jennings realized that this prompt may have made Ryan uncomfortable, as Ryan wore glasses on the show.
“We had a little problem, sorry, Heather,” Jennings said.
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After the game show episode aired, fans heavily criticized Ken Jennings for his “sexist” cues. (Disney/Eric McCandless)
Wallace agreed, defending the female contestants, adding: “Very much.”
After the game show episode aired, fans heavily criticized Jennings, calling it a “sexist” cue.
“'Yeah, we have a little problem' – Ken…uh, then why didn't you tell the writers about it before the game?” One comment read on X.
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Another viewer wrote: “More like something very problematic!”
Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik were among the trivia game show's replacement guest hosts after Alex Trebek's death. (Christopher Wheeler/Tyler Golden)
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“Frankly, we don't need to hear Ken read a clearly outdated and inappropriate tip and say, 'There's a problem,'” a fan wrote on Reddit. “Maybe he can use his position to extinguish it before it gets air.”
Meanwhile, another 'Danger!' viewer told X: 'I'm still angry about this. She used her intelligence to get this far, only to be insulted by sexist and disrespectful comments. '' he added.
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