Jeopardy! has been accused of “not trying hard” anymore due to one easy question.
The final question of Tuesday’s episode of Jeopardy! made fans slam the show.
The Final Jeopardy question of the episode fell under the category “colleges and universities.” Guest host Sanjay Gupta asked the contestants which school recently trademarked the word “the.”
“In 2019 this public university attempted to trademark the word “The” for use on clothing and hats,” the guest host read. Due to the easy question, all three contestants got the right answer “The Ohio State University.”
This stirred criticisms online, sending fans to fume due to the “easiest Final Jeopardy question” in history.
One fan said, “I’m from Ohio so I guess it’s just an Ohio thing, but every OSU alumni emphasizes “THE” before Ohio state university. So I found it hilarious that was the final jeopardy answer.”
Another added, “That one was too easy. I am a Michigan fan, so, quite frankly, when I hear “The” Ohio State University, I always think or say out loud, “Is there another Ohio State University?”
Ohio State’s decision to trademark the word “The” was widely reported by news outlets in 2019. At that time, it expressed its desire to use the word on its merchandise.
“This only would apply for usage of “The” in ways that clearly signify association with Ohio State and its brand. Like other institutions, Ohio State works to vigorously protect the university’s brands and trademarks because these assets hold significant value,” OSU spokesman Christopher Davey said.
Jeopardy! literally in jeopardy?
It was not the first time the game show was called out.
Just last month, Jeopardy! also found itself in hot waters when guest host Savannah Guthrie mentioned a clue for the category Plain-Named Maladies.
“Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome is also known as Grinch Syndrome because this organ is too small,” she said.
However, referencing it as “Grinch Syndrome” caused groups and individuals to criticize the show for being too insensitive. The non-profit organization Dysautonomia International said that Jeopardy! used a misogynistic term. It then demanded an apology from the show for the whole POTS community.
Following the backlash, the official Twitter account released an apology statement saying that they used an outdated and inaccurate term.
Still, many people questioned the show for airing the term despite the error. They also urged the show to do better next time and make sure it will not happen again.
Featured image courtesy of Jeopardy! Official YouTube Channel