The Jeopardy! team has offered an explanation in response to Friday night's episode including a clue involving Russia and Ukraine. During the episode, there was a Double Jeopardy! category called "Bordering Russia." The $800 clue, as read on-air by Ken Jennings, read: "The Kerch Strait — along with serious border issues — separates Russia from this country on the Black Sea.”Contestant Adrian Alcalá correctly responded by answering, “What is Ukraine?”Given current events, many would say that the clue was not appropriate to include on the show. Prior to the episode, the official Jeopardy! account had posted an explanation to Twitter in anticipation of how it would appear. The show's producers explain that the episode had been taped in January, more than a month before Russian President Vladimir Putin began an invasion of Ukraine, prompting one million Ukrainians to flee the nation amid very real concerns from people worldwide that this could lead to a major war.“Please note the clue in today’s show concerning Russia and Ukraine was recorded on Jan. 11, 2022," the disclaimer on Twitter read. During the episode, there was also an onscreen message in the corner of the clue that brandished the date so those watching at home that hadn't seen the Twitter post would still understand why the clue was featured in the episode.
Jeopardy! Host Mayim Bialik Also Recently Clarified Controversy
After Alex Trebek passed away, a series of guest hosts had taken turns filling in until a permanent replacement could be named. Executive producer Mike Richards announced that he'd be taking on the job initially, but he ended up stepping down days later due to backlash. Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings have been taking turns hosting since then and they will serve as the only guest hosts until the end of the season this summer. Officially, a permanent host hasn't been announced.
There were some critics who expressed disappointment online over Bialik getting that job. This is due to the perception that she is an "anti-vaxxer" who wouldn't allow her children to be vaccinated. However, Bialik explained in detail that it was all a misconception and that her children did have vaccines, just later than other children due to concerns about allergens. Bialik has also been vaccinated for COVID, despite misconceptions.
"I'm not everybody's cup of tea, and I totally get that," Bialik said of the fan complaints, per THR. "My goal is to blend into the podium as much as I can and have it not be about all of that other stuff. You will not find a human who doesn't have something that they've said, did or thought about, especially in this industry where everything is documented and documentable. You know, that's the nice thing about me. I really don't have secrets, people. It's all out there."
The controversy hasn't affected Bialik's spot as an interim host alongside Ken Jennings.