Jeopardy!, the ultimate battleground for trivia titans, has delivered countless jaw-dropping moments over the years. But nothing quite prepared fans for a recent episode where a seemingly easy Lord’s Prayer question stumped all three contestants. Cue the collective gasp from living rooms coast to coast!
Picture this: It’s the June 13 episode, and our host Mayim Bialik presents a $200 clue from the category “Dadjectives.” The clue? Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father Which Art In Heaven’, This ‘Be Thy Name.’ The answer, if you remember your Sunday School lessons, is “hallowed.” Or more accurately, in Jeopardy! speak, “What is hallowed?”
Now, it’s no surprise when tricky clues stump the players, but this one? The Lord’s Prayer? One of the most recited prayers in Christianity? The Twitterverse was ablaze!
One outraged user tweeted, “Not one contestant on Jeopardy! last night knew the answer to this…Are you waking up yet?”
And it didn’t stop there. Another tweet exclaimed, “The Lord’s Prayer growing up was like knowing The Pledge of Allegiance. You just did.”
Fans were split on the significance. Some viewed it as a decline in religious knowledge, with tweets like, “While it may not be a sign of the end times, it DEFINITELY speaks volumes about Americans and their faith… or lack of.”
But wait, it gets juicier. Even self-proclaimed atheists joined the conversation. “I’m an atheist and even I knew the answer to that Lord’s Prayer question.” Now, that’s saying something!
One viewer pointedly asked, “My 4-year-old niece got the answer on this Question on Jeopardy! Just wondering, maybe the contestants never heard about The Lord’s Prayer?”
The finale? A witty jab referencing the heavy metal band Iron Maiden: “How can those Jeopardy! nerds not know this answer. Have they never listened to Iron Maiden?”
Now, before you grab your torches and pitchforks, a few considerations. Two of these contestants were in the negative, perhaps playing it safe to avoid deeper debt. And let’s not forget, Jeopardy! is known for its plethora of Bible-related questions, many of which contestants nail more often than you might think.
Plus, contestants come from diverse backgrounds and differing religious upbringings. The clue may have been common knowledge for many, but not necessarily for everyone.
While the trio might have flubbed the prayer, they redeemed themselves later with a Final Jeopardy question about ‘70s movies. The clue: “He starred in the 2 films whose soundtracks were the top 2 bestselling albums of 1978.” The answer? John Travolta, thanks to Saturday Night Fever and Grease.
The big winner of the night? Suresh Krishnan, who extended his winning streak to a glorious six games. A round of applause for Suresh, everyone!
So, dear readers, what’s your take on this trivia turmoil? Do you think it’s reflective of a broader issue, or just a quirky Jeopardy! moment? Share your thoughts, and let’s keep this conversation as buzzing as a Jeopardy! buzzer.
