Jeopardy! contestant Heather Ryan detailed the October 28 studio incident in a November 7 interview with Binghamton University's Pipe Dream newspaper. During the "Complete the Rhyming Phrase" category, host Ken Jennings read the clue "Men seldom make passes at..." requiring the response "Girls who wear glasses."
Ryan, wearing glasses and being the only female contestant, watched contestant Will Wallace provide the answer during the Los Angeles taping. Jennings immediately labeled it "a little problematic" and apologized to Ryan.
The health program director from Binghamton, NY finished with $19,600, losing by one dollar to Cleveland food sales representative Ian Taylor's $19,601.
The moment occurred during Ryan's appearance alongside Taylor and Wallace, ending Wallace's four-day winning streak with $2 in Jeopardy! October 28, 2024 episode.
$1 runner-up Heather Ryan addresses Jeopardy! glasses moment in interview
The situation unfolded midway through the Jeopardy! October 28, 2024 episode when contestants selected the "Complete the Rhyming Phrase" category. As Jennings read the clue, his delivery tone changed markedly. Wallace, who had maintained a four-day winning streak, buzzed in with the correct response.
The atmosphere shifted immediately as Jennings addressed the situation with a direct apology to Ryan. Wallace verbally agreed about the problematic nature of the clue, adding his support to Jennings' statement.
The Jeopardy! clue originated from Dorothy Parker's 1920s poem collection "Enough Rope." The moment stood out particularly due to Ryan's presence as the sole female contestant wearing glasses. The timing of the clue and its delivery created an immediate reaction from everyone present in the studio, including the audience, contestants, and host.
Post-show developments
Speaking to Pipe Dream on November 7, Ryan detailed her experience during that specific moment. She described how the atmosphere changed among audience members, fellow contestants, and the host. Her exact words were,
“It is definitely an odd choice…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.’ 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.”
Jeopardy! contestant also emphasized the welcoming nature of the production team and described her overall game show experience positively, noting the show's cultural significance spanning multiple decades.
The studio audience reaction became immediately apparent after the clue reading. Camera footage captured the moment when Jennings shifted his hosting tone. Ryan later explained to Pipe Dream how everyone in attendance displayed visible reactions.
The production team maintained professional composure as filming continued. Fellow contestant Ian Taylor remained focused on gameplay while Will Wallace openly acknowledged the moment's impact.
Game progression
The Jeopardy! episode's competition dynamics showed significant score changes throughout gameplay. Ryan established strong momentum in the first round, securing $3,800 and second position. The "Complete the Rhyming Phrase" category appeared during regular gameplay, preceding the Double Jeopardy round.
During Double Jeopardy, contestants faced categories including "Extreme Canada," "Exclamations," "Mythological Resumes," "Medical Matters," "Caution," and "Compound Word Construction Zone." Ryan maintained competitive performance through these rounds, consistently building her score.
The Final Jeopardy! category "Stage Musical Setting" presented the clue "Turned into a Nazi headquarters in 1933, the nightspot Eldorado is said to have inspired this fictional place." Both Ryan and Taylor correctly answered "What is The Kit Kat Club?" Ryan wagered her full amount, bringing her total to $19,600.
Taylor's strategic wager resulted in a winning score of $19,601, making him the new champion. Wallace, the previous four-day champion, finished third after an incorrect response left him with $2.
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The one-dollar margin between Ryan and Taylor marked one of the closest finishes in recent Jeopardy! episodes. The game concluded with Taylor assuming championship status, ending Wallace's four-day winning streak, and Ryan securing second place by the narrowest possible margin.
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