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    'Jeopardy!' Winner on 'Racist' Hand Gesture Accusations: It's a 'Terrible Misunderstanding'

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    NBC

    His statement arrives after a group of 467 former contestants of the game show penned an open letter to the show, demanding an apology from the show’s producers for not censoring a controversial hand gesture in an episode.

    May 1, 2021

    AceShowbiz –
    Three-time “Jeopardy!” winner Kelly Donohue has reacted to the open letter penned by several “Jeopardy!” alums in which they accused Kelly of making a racist hand gesture on the show. Taking to his Facebook account on Thursday, April 29, Donohue insisted that this was a “terrible misunderstanding.”

    “I’m truly horrified with what has been posted about me on social media. I absolutely, unequivocally condemn white supremacy and racism of any kind,” so Donohue wrote on the post. “People who know me personally know that I am not a racist, but for the public at large it bears repeating: I am not a racist and I reject and condemn white supremacy and all forms of bigotry for the evil they are.”

    He went on saying, “It’s shameful to me to think anyone would try to use the stage of Jeopardy! to advance or promote such a disgusting agenda. During the taping of my fourth episode, I was simply raising three fingers to mark my 3rd win. There was nothing more I was trying to indicate.”

    In the statement, Donohue said that he “deeply regret this terrible misunderstanding. I never meant to hurt a soul and I assure you I am no friend of racists or white supremacists.”

    Explaining why he deleted his previous post, he wrote, “I removed the previous post because the comments were more than I could bear. I stand by the statement itself and you can find it reported in other media. I did, however, understand the fair criticism that I did not include a forceful condemnation of white supremacy in my initial statement. I hope my feelings on that matter are clear now.”

      See also…

    This arrives after a group of 467 former contestants of the game show penned an open letter to the show, demanding an apology from the show’s producers for not censoring a controversial hand gesture in an episode of the long-running game show. “A recent contestant has caused concern among ‘Jeopardy!’ viewers for two separate occurrences,” the letter read. “We, as former contestants, feel the need to speak out against the messaging that these choices communicated — either intentionally or unintentionally — by the contestant Kelly Donohue and, implicitly by association, the producers of ‘Jeopardy!’ ”

    The letter referred to Kelly who was captured on camera holding “his thumb and forefinger together with his other three fingers extended and palm facing inward, and he tapped his chest.” The letter noted that that the gesture was extremely similar to the gesture “coopted by white power groups, alt-right groups, and an anti-government group that calls itself the Three Percenters,” adding that such gesture must be censored.

    “We know that contestants sign morals and ethics-related agreements when they prepare to appear on the show, and we would ask the production team to evaluate this situation within that framework. Finally, we hope to see changes made so that future mistakes of this magnitude never make it on air,” it concluded.

    “Jeopardy!” has yet to comment on the matter.

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      'Jeopardy!' Former Players Demand Apology Over Contestant's White Power Hand Sign

      by

      NBC

      In an open letter, a group of former contestants demand an apology from the show’s producers for not censoring a controversial hand gesture in an episode of the long-running game show.

      Apr 29, 2021

      AceShowbiz –
      “Jeopardy!” received an open letter from a group of 467 former contestants on Wednesday, April 28. The letter featured them demanding an apology from the show’s producers for not censoring a controversial hand gesture in an episode of the long-running game show.

      “A recent contestant has caused concern among ‘Jeopardy!’ viewers for two separate occurrences,” the letter read. “We, as former contestants, feel the need to speak out against the messaging that these choices communicated — either intentionally or unintentionally — by the contestant Kelly Donohue and, implicitly by association, the producers of ‘Jeopardy!’ ”

      The letter referred to Kelly who was captured on camera holding “his thumb and forefinger together with his other three fingers extended and palm facing inward, and he tapped his chest.” The letter noted that that the gesture was extremely similar to the gesture “coopted by white power groups, alt-right groups, and an anti-government group that calls itself the Three Percenters,” adding that such gesture must be censored.

      “A couple of years ago, a contestant unintentionally wagered a monetary amount that used numerical values coopted by white supremacist groups and, since the total didn’t affect the outcome of the game, ‘Jeopardy!’ digitally altered the numbers in the version that aired,” the letter continued to read. “This should have been done in this case. Intentional or not, the burden was on the production team to catch the similarity to a hate symbol and make sure it didn’t end up on air.”

        See also…

      Kelly, meanwhile, defended himself, saying that the gesture was simply indicating that he had won three games. He also claimed that he had gestured with one finger and two fingers to indicate his previous wins.

      In addition to the controversial hand gesture, the letter detailed another misstep that Kelly exhibited. “Kelly responded to a clue with a term for the Roma that is considered a slur,” the letter continued.

      “We know that contestants sign morals and ethics-related agreements when they prepare to appear on the show, and we would ask the production team to evaluate this situation within that framework. Finally, we hope to see changes made so that future mistakes of this magnitude never make it on air,” it concluded.

      “Jeopardy!” has yet to comment on the matter.

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      Five-Time 'Jeopardy!' Winner Brayden Smith 'Unexpectedly' Dead at 24

      by

      Jeopardy Productions

      The show announces the heartbreaking passing of Smith, who was also known as ‘Alex’s Last Great Champion’, on Twitter, calling him ‘kind, funny and absolutely brilliant.’

      Feb 13, 2021
      AceShowbiz – A five-time “Jeopardy!” winner has died “unexpectedly.” Brayden Smith, who was also known as “Alex’s Last Great Champion”, passed away at the age of 24 on Friday, February 5 in Las Vegas. His death was confirmed by his mother, Debbie Smith.
      On Friday morning, February 12, Debbie took Twitter to share a picture of her late son. She tweeted, “We are heartbroken to share that our dear Brayden Smith recently passed away unexpectedly. We are so grateful that Brayden was able to live out his dream on @jeopardy.”
      In the wake of Brayden’s passing, “Jeopardy!” offered condolences via Twitter by replying to his mother’s tweet. “The ‘JEOPARDY!’ family is heartbroken by the tragic loss of Brayden Smith. He was kind, funny and absolutely brilliant. Our deepest condolences go out to Brayden’s family. He will be missed,” so read the message.

      ‘Jeopardy!’ family offered their condolences following the death of Brayden Smith.

        See also…

      Brayden’s final appearance on “Jeopardy!” was in Alex Trebek’s final episodes, which aired in mid-December 2020 and early January 2021. He won $117,798 on the game show. In January, he opened up about his experience on the program. “It’s been a whirlwind,” he admitted.
      The late champion went on to tell the show’s correspondent Sarah Whitcomb Foss, “Thinking back, a few months, as I wait for my shows to air – it’s been really – I’ve been on pins and needles, I guess. I’m glad we were able to do it, and I’m glad I was able to show what I was capable of.”
      “I just wanted to stay there as long as possible. It’s really a great feeling to be on the set. To be around smart, nice, warm people,” he added. “And to be around Alex… who has been a mainstay of my life. To finally be on stage with somebody that I’ve seen five nights a week. Every week. For over a decade – was really a dream come true.”
      According to his obituary in The Las Vegas Review-Journal, Brayden was survived by his family including mother Debbie, father Scott, brothers Bryce, Brock and Brody, as well as his grandparents, aunt, uncle and his cousins. His cause of death has yet to be revealed.

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      Twitter Explodes After 'Jeopardy!' Contestants Fail to Recognize Dave Chappelle

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      WENN/Sheri Determan

      During a Double Jeopardy round on the popular game show, interim host Ken Jennings gives a clue about Dave as a photo of the ‘A Star is Born’ actor appears on screen.

      Jan 30, 2021
      AceShowbiz – Despite having multiple Grammy and Emmy Awards and a hit TV show, there are some people out there who don’t know Dave Chappelle. While it’s hard to believe, that was exactly what happened in the Thursday, January 28 episode of “Jeopardy!”.
      During a Double Jeopardy round in the episode of the popular game show, interim host Ken Jennings said, “This comedian displayed his drama chops in ‘A Star is Born’, playing Bradley Cooper’s longtime friend,” as a photo of Dave appeared on screen. Surprisingly, the contestants appeared to have no idea who the comedian was as no one was able to answer the question that was worth $2000.
      Twitterverse quickly reacted to it in total disbelief. “How did nobody know that was the GREAT Dave Chappelle?! #Jeopardy,” one user questioned. Another fan added, “No one recognized Dave Chappelle during Jeopardy? What is, ‘who are these people?’ ”

        See also…

      Echoing the sentiment, another fan tweeted, “Watching Jeopardy last night and screaming at my TV ‘Who is Dave Chappelle, Who is Dave Chappelle???’ How can they not know who he is? Put down the book and watch some Netflix or Comedy Central. Live a little people!” Another comment read, “It’s crazy enough that a picture of @DaveChappelle was a $2000 clue on Jeopardy tonight – what’s more incredible is no one got it right!”
      Meanwhile, one person was more concerned about the fact that those people didn’t watch Oscar-winning movie “A Star Is Born” that stars Bradley Cooper and Lady GaGa. “I think it’s less about not knowing Dave Chappelle and more about the fact that those contestants didn’t see ‘A Star Is Born’. #Jeopardy,” the person wrote.
      While that particular moment stunned Twitter users, Dave himself has yet to weigh in on the matter.

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      'Jeopardy!' Bids Farewell to Host Alex Trebek in Touching Final Message

      by

      NBC

      The game show posts a tribute video to Alex, who hosted the show for 37 seasons until he passed away on November 8, 2020, with a 90-second clip compiling his moments over the years.

      Jan 9, 2021
      AceShowbiz – “Jeopardy!” has bid farewell to Alex Trebek. In honor of the late host who fronted the show for 37 seasons until he passed away from cancer two months earlier, the game show shared a touching final message for him.
      On Friday, January 8, the game show let out a compilation video highlighting Alex’s moments over the years via Twitter and YouTube. With Peter Allen’s “Once Before I Go” playing in the background, the 90-second clip looked back at Alex’s iconic mustache as well as footage from “family visiting day” when his children, Matthew and Emily Trebek, visited him.
      There is also a montage of clips showing off Alex’s dance moves through the years despite his claims that he did not “dance.” Ending the tribute video was a message that read, “Dedicated to Alex Trebek. Forever in our hearts. Always our inspiration.” The accompanying message on each social media post also read, “Simply the best. Thank you, Alex.”
      [embedded content]

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      Alex passed away on November 8, 2020 after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer. Days prior to his death, the late host managed to tape a number of his final episodes for the game show. His last one aired on Friday, but it was in the Monday, January 4 episode that he shared a powerful message about togetherness and giving.
      “You’ll recall that about a month ago, I asked all of you to take a moment to give thanks for all of the blessings that you enjoy in your lives,” Alex pointed out. “Now, today, a different kind of message. This is the season of giving. I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones.”
      “But today, I’d like you to go one step further. I’d like you to open up your hands and open up your hearts to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19. People who are suffering through no fault of their own,” he went on. “We’re trying to build a gentler, kinder society, and if we all pitch in – just a little bit – we’re gonna get there.”
      In the wake of his passing, “Jeopardy!” resumed its production with guest hosts. On November 23, the game show declared on Instagram, “We will resume production on 11/30 with a series of interim guest hosts from the ‘Jeopardy!’ family – starting with Ken Jennings. Additional guest hosts to be announced.”
      While Ken will serve as the first guest host, Los Angeles Times reported a few days ago that Katie Couric has also been signed to host the game show for one week. However, she and Sony Pictures Television have yet to confirm the report.

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      Katie Couric Tapped as 'Jeopardy!' Guest Host After Alex Trebek's Final Episodes

      by

      WENN/NBC/Ivan Nikolov

      The former ‘Today’ co-host will be the second guest host on the game show while Ken Jennings will take the center stage on Monday, January 11 following Alex’s death.

      Jan 7, 2021
      AceShowbiz – Katie Couric will temporarily replace Alex Trebek on “Jeopardy!”. While the late game show host’s final episodes aired this week, the former “Today” co-host was unveiled to be one of the first guest hosts to take over the role following his death.
      Revealing the 64-year-old journalist’s hosting deal was Los Angeles Times. Sources told the outlet that she has been signed to host the game show for one week. However, she and Sony Pictures Television have yet to confirm the report.
      Katie will follow Ken Jennings to serve as guest host on “Jeopardy!”. The 74-time champion of the game show will take center stage on Monday, January 11, 2021. The show itself has previously informed fans that there will be interim guest hosts until a permanent replacement has been chosen.

        See also…

      “We will resume production on 11/30 with a series of interim guest hosts from the ‘Jeopardy!’ family – starting with Ken Jennings,” the show pointed out on Instagram in November 2020. “Additional guest hosts to be announced.”
      The temporary replacement hosts came after Alex died from pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2020. His last episodes are currently airing until Friday, January 8. In one of the episodes that aired on Monday, January 4, he shared a powerful message about togetherness and giving.
      “You’ll recall that about a month ago, I asked all of you to take a moment to give thanks for all of the blessings that you enjoy in your lives,” he stated. “Now, today, a different kind of message. This is the season of giving. I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones.”
      “But today, I’d like you to go one step further. I’d like you to open up your hands and open up your hearts to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19. People who are suffering through no fault of their own,” he went on. “We’re trying to build a gentler, kinder society, and if we all pitch in – just a little bit – we’re gonna get there.”

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      'Jeopardy!' Boss Calls Alex Trebek 'Absolute Warrior' for Filming His Final Episodes

      by

      NBC

      Nearly two months after the TV game show host passed away from cancer, executive producer Mike Richards reveals that his late colleague was ‘in enormous pain’ when taping what now would be his last episodes.

      Jan 5, 2021
      AceShowbiz – ‘Jeopardy!’ boss has expressed adoration at Alex Trebek’s dedication to the show during his battle with pancreatic cancer. Nearly two months after the TV game show host passed away, executive producer Mike Richards described his late colleague as an “absolute warrior” for filming his final episodes amid his illness.
      “He was an absolute warrior and what he was able to do by getting himself back to the set to tape those final episodes,” Mike said of Alex during his virtual appearance on “Today” show on Monday, January 4. “We didn’t know it was going to be his final episodes and neither did he. But it was herculean. He was in enormous pain.”
      Mike revealed to co-hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb that Alex made a return to the set just around one week before he died. “He was, you know, 10 days away from passing away and you will not sense any of that in these episodes. He is strong. He sounds great. He’s funny and he’s amazing,” he gushed.
      “I think a normal person would have said I’m not going to show up a year and a half before those final episodes,” he claimed. “I mean, he was getting chemotherapy once a week. So, I think there was a level of professionalism. I think he really understood the importance of the show and what it meant to people, and to make what I have always said, he made being smart cool.”

        See also…

      Mike also mentioned that Alex insisted on shooting what would now be his last episodes on the show. “The week before we taped those episodes, he was in the hospital. This man was unbelievable. He calls me and he said, ‘Mike, I’m going to be fine. I’ll be in to tape. I was able to eat Jello today,’ ” he explained.
      “I went, ‘Alex, that’s great, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be ready to host five episodes of a game show,’ which is an enormous amount of effort,” he continued recalling. “And he said, ‘Do not cancel. I will be there.’ ”
      Mike additionally divulged that Alex shared some powerful messages in one of his last episodes. “He comes out and gives this absolutely amazing speech about the tough times that we’re in and the importance of us as a country, as a community, humanity, coming together and being there for each other,” he said.

      “Usually in his monologue, he would come out, give a statement and then go to the categories,” he went on. “There’s not very many people in the studio because of COVID and we all burst into applause. You don’t see it on camera, but as he’s going to the categories, he sees us start to applaud and he kinda looks at us [like] ‘What are you guys doing?’ and we were so moved that we had to applaud.”

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      Alex Trebek Shares Uplifting Thanksgiving Message in Pre-Recorded 'Jeopardy!' Clip

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      WENN/Brian To

      In the video airing as part of the Thanksgiving Day episode, the late game show host urges Americans to be thankful in spite of what ‘the world is experiencing right now.’

      Nov 27, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Alex Trebek kept spreading words of encouragement even after his passing. The late host of “Jeopardy!”, who passed away less than three weeks ago, shared an uplifting Thanksgiving message in a pre-recorded clip for the game show.
      In the clip that aired on Thursday, November 26, the Canadian-born TV host encouraged fans to be grateful regardless of their situation. “Happy Thanksgiving ladies and gentleman. You know, in spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now, there are many reasons to be thankful,” he began his message.
      “There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors, and that’s a good thing,” the 80-year-old Daytime Emmy winner added. “Keep the faith. We’re going to get through all of this, and we will be a better society because of it.”
      [embedded content]

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      Alex died on November 8 at the age of 80 after a year-long battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. ” ‘Jeopardy!’ is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends,” a spokesperson for the popular quiz show told TMZ at that time.
      The TV personality, who had been the face of the game show since 1984, revealed that he had been diagnosed with the illness in March 2019. Months later, he announced his vow to keep up with his TV commitments for as long as possible.
      In the wake of his passing, Alex’s wife Jean Trebek shared a heartfelt tribute for her late husband with a throwback wedding picture. “My family and I sincerely thank you all for your compassionate messages and generosity. Your expressions have truly touched our hearts. Thank you so very, very much,” she thanked fans showering her with support. “Many Blessings to all, Jean Trebek.”
      As for “Jeopardy!”, the show will continue its production on Monday, November 30. Replacing Alex will be Ken Jennings who won 74 games in a row.

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      Dane Cook Joins 'Jeopardy!' Guest Hosts Following Alex Trebek's Death

      by

      WENN

      The ‘Good Luck Chuck’ actor reveals he is in negotiations to guest host the favorite TV game show, joining Ken Jennings following Alex Trebek’s passing recently.

      Nov 25, 2020
      AceShowbiz – Dane Cook is in talks to guest host “Jeopardy!” following the passing of Alex Trebek earlier this month (Nov20).
      The “Good Luck Chuck” star announced on Twitter on Monday (23Nov20) that interim hosts are being selected to fill the iconic presenter’s shoes and he’s firmly on the list to take the helm.
      “I got a call from my team today about guest hosting an episode of @Jeopardy and would I be interested in that if they can put something together,” the star shared.
      “I could barely spit out, ‘WHAT IS.. YES?’ quick enough.” he added, noting, “I would love to honor Alex Trebek in that fashion!”

        See also…

      When news of Trebek’s death was first reported, the 48-year-old honoured the host and called the show his “best therapy session,” after his half brother was found guilty of embezzling millions of dollars from him while working as his business manager.
      The legal case was featured as a question on “Jeopardy!” in 2018 and, at that time, Cook made a joke of it on social media.
      “Alex Trebek allowed me to laugh in the face of humiliation,” he tweeted. “The lowest moment in my career was this theft I endured but Alex & @Jeopardy changed all that. My fav quiz show was also my best therapy session and because of it I made comedy out of tragedy.”
      Former “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings was announced as the first guest host to appear following Trebek’s death, aged 80, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He also serves as consulting producer and will tape his episodes starting on 30 November (20).
      “Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy! and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him,” said executive producer Mike Richards in a statement. “We will honour Alex’s legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved with smart contestants and challenging clues. By bringing in familiar guest hosts for the foreseeable future, our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers.”

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