In a recent episode of Jeopardy! that aired on October 28, host Ken Jennings found himself in an unexpectedly awkward moment when he read a controversial clue that immediately sparked conversation.

The question posed to the contestants read, “Men seldom make passes at…,” prompting the answer: “Girls who wear glasses.” Upon reading it, Jennings quickly noticed that contestant Heather Ryan, who was participating on the episode, happened to be wearing glasses herself. In response, he immediately apologized, saying, “Sorry, Heather.”

See the awkward moment in the video below.

Heather Ryan, reflecting on the moment, shared her thoughts in an interview with Pipe Dream, a newspaper run by students at Binghamton University. “It is definitely an odd choice,” she said. “I think it made everybody in the audience and on stage, and Ken Jennings too, a little uncomfortable. It was like, ‘Oh, that was unexpected.’” Ryan’s remark captured the sentiment of many viewers who found the clue outdated and somewhat tone-deaf for modern audiences.

Ryan further elaborated on why the phrasing was particularly off-putting, suggesting that the show should consider updating such clues in the future. “Maybe we choose better rhyming phrases in 2024,” she recommended.

Her comments resonated with many, especially those who have personally experienced stereotypes related to wearing glasses. She continued, “Unfortunately, there are still girls who are [in] middle school, and they don’t want to wear their glasses and they’re losing out on their education. So, I think it’s much better to be able to see than anything else.”

Despite the momentary discomfort, Ryan spoke positively about her overall experience on the beloved quiz show, describing it as both exciting and rewarding. According to J! Archive, she narrowly missed a win, losing by just $1.

Reflecting on her experience, she noted, “It was very fun. Everybody there was very welcoming. It’s such a part of American culture that I definitely wanted to go on when I got the call for it.” Ryan expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to be a part of something she described as a “big part” of American culture, saying, “It’s just a very special thing to play a small role in this big part. It’s been running for 40 years, and so I got to play my part in it.”

Ken Jennings, who has been the official host of Jeopardy! for nearly a year, has faced occasional moments where his judgment as a host has been tested, and this instance was no different. Known to Jeopardy! fans as a record-breaking contestant with 74 consecutive wins in 2004, Jennings rose to hosting prominence after the death of legendary host Alex Trebek in late 2020.

Trebek, who hosted for an astounding 37 seasons, even presided over the Greatest of All Time tournament in January 2020, where Jennings competed against Jeopardy! icons James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter. Jennings ultimately triumphed, winning $1 million in the memorable event.

After reading the controversial clue on Ryan’s episode, Jennings candidly admitted that it was “a little problematic,” highlighting his awareness of the sensitivity around such statements. Contestant Will Wallace, who answered the clue, added to the sentiment, calling it “very” problematic.

Ryan’s reflections and Jennings’ apology emphasize the importance of keeping Jeopardy! both respectful and relevant to modern audiences while still preserving the charm that has kept it a fixture in American households for over 40 years.

What are your thoughts on keeping traditional clues in quiz shows—should they be updated or left as is?