As the Celebrity Jeopardy! producers have learned, it's still far too soon for Gabby Petito's tragic murder to be used for clues on primetime television game shows. In August 2021, Petito was murdered by her fiance, Brian Laundrie, resulting in a nationwide manhunt when the killer turned up missing. His remains were later found in Florida in November 2021 with authorities declaring that Laundrie had died by suicide. One year later, the sad story was mentioned in the newest episode of Celebrity Jeopardy! that aired on Sunday evening. Hosted by Mayim Bialik, the episode brought in actors John Michael Higgins and Wil Wheaton alongside comedian Joel Kim Booster to serve as the celebrity contestants. During the semifinal round, Bialik read a clue from a category titled "The A List," referring to answers including the letter "A," which read:
In 2021 fugitive Brian Laundrie ended his days in Fla.'s Myakkahatchee Creek area, home to these long & toothy critters.
Booster answered correctly by buzzing in and responding, "What are alligators?"
Viewers Found the Clue Disrespectful to Gabby Petito's Memory
Nothing was further said about the clue on the show, but on social media, many viewers started crying foul. Many felt that it was completely unnecessary to refer to Laundrie when trying to get someone to think of crocodiles, as there would have been countless other clues that the show could have instead used. People also say that it's inappropriate to look at Petito's tragic murder to be used as a clue for what should be a lighthearted, fun game show.
As one tweet reads, "Yikes, what the f*** was that clue referencing Brian Laundrie to get to the response of 'alligator'?? So unnecessarily morbid. Could have said anything related to Florida and gotten there."
"Shame on Jeopardy! for the question about Brian Laundrie," says someone else. "What in the actual hell? It was about ALLIGATORS! Wtf??"
Another fan tweeted, "Wow Jeopardy! making Brian Laundrie a clue for an answer for alligator is offensive. He was an abusive murderer and you put him on your show? How about Gabby Petito who he murdered."
"I guess there just isn’t a good clue for 'alligator' that doesn’t involve referencing a woman being beaten and strangled by her boyfriend. 'Brian Laundrie' really was the only way to go," laments another viewer.
The response is similar to the news that Lifetime is developing a movie about the murder. Directed by Thora Birch, the film is called The Gabby Petito Story, delving into murder victim's relationship with Laundrie and the events leading up to her death. In response to the backlash, Birch has since stated that her goal was to respect Petito by portraying the relationship as realistically as possible.
"The intention of telling the story of Brian and Gabby's journey was to try and take all the information and facts that were out there and try to deduce the most realistic portrait of what their relationship could have been like," she told IndieWire. "Also, to give viewers, hopefully, an authentic portrait of the reality behind the facade that she portrayed so beautifully in her online world."
You can see some of the reactions to the Brian Laundrie clue on Celebrity Jeopardy! below.