JEOPARDY!’S Heather Ryan has slammed her ‘uncomfortable’ clue on the show, telling bosses to ‘choose better in 2024’ after fans called it ‘sexist’.

Contestant Heather, who appeared on the October 28 episode, addressed the controversial moment in an interview with Binghamton University’s student-run newspaper.

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The clue in question was “Men seldom make passes at…,” with the answer being, “Girls who wear glasses.”

The out of touch saying was coined by poet Dorothy Parker in the 1920s.

Host Ken Jennings immediately recognized the awkwardness of the situation, as Heather was wearing glasses, and apologized on air.

She has now described the moment as “definitely an odd choice”, adding to Pipe Dream, “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.’”

Heather went on to suggest a solution for future episodes, saying: “Maybe we choose better rhyming phrases in 2024.”

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.”

During the episode, Ken admitted that the clue was “a little problematic,” immediately apologizing to Ryan by saying, “Sorry, Heather.”

Contestant Will Wallace, who provided the answer, added, “Very problematic.”

At the time, fans were not happy that the phrase had been included on the show.

One wrote online: @lndsyloves It made me really angry. She went through the whole process of getting on Jeopardy, what should have been an amazing experience will now be remembered for this.

“Such a completely unnecessary question, there are millions of rhyming phrases, and they knew she would be a contestant

While another tweeted: “Still angry about this.

“She’s used her intelligence to get on here, only to be insulted by a sexist and rude comment.”

“Frankly, I don’t need to hear Ken read an obviously outdated and inappropriate clue and then call it ‘problematic,’” argued a third.

“Maybe he can use his position to get it switched out before it goes out over the air.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the clue, Heather reflected positively on her experience.

She lost by just one dollar, according to the meticulous J! Archive.

Heather recalled her time as being “very fun”, adding that the crew had been “welcoming”.

Ken joined Jeopardy! in 2022, and originally co-hosted with Mayim Bialik.

They were brought into succeed the late Alex Trebek after he passed from pancreatic cancer.

Ken stepped in to split hosting duties with Mayim.

However, last year the actress announced she had been let go from the series, and the former champion was named sole host.

Mayim initially walked out during the last two weeks of Season 39 in May 2023, citing solidarity with the WGA strike.

But when the strike was resolved, she didn’t return.

Then in December 2023, Mayim nearly broke the Internet when she announced that she had personally been fired from Jeopardy!

“As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she began her Instagram post.

“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”

Jeopardy! Set Secrets

Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:

• Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
• After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
• Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
• The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
• Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
• To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
• All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
• There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
• Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
• The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
• Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
• Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
• Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
• Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.

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