A danger! The contestant who was involved in a sexist runway incident on the show shared that the moment was “awkward.”
Heather Ryan competed on the October 28 episode of the quiz show, where an unexpected clue caught viewers’ attention.
The director of the health program in Binghamton, New York, called to ask you a question in the “Complete the rhyming sentence” category. Host Ken Jennings, 50, then asked the phrase: “Men rarely make advances on…”
Fellow contestant Will Wallace, a game design director from Austin, Texas, correctly guessed the answer as “girls who wear glasses,” which led to an awkward moment on television since Heather was also wearing glasses.
Now he spoke about the incident during an interview with Binghamton University’s student newspaper. Castles in the airstating, “Maybe we’ll choose better rhyming phrases in 2024.”
Danger! Contestant Heather Ryan, who was involved in a sexist runway incident on the show, shared that the moment was “awkward” in a new interview.
He competed on the October 28 episode of the quiz show, where an unexpected clue caught viewers’ attention, prompting host Ken Jennings (pictured) to apologize.
“It’s definitely a strange choice,” he told the newspaper.
“I think it made everyone in the audience and on stage, including Ken Jennings, a little uncomfortable. It was like, “Oh, that was unexpected.”
“Unfortunately, there are still girls who are in high school who don’t want to wear glasses and are missing out on their education,” she continued.
“So I think it’s much better to be able to see than anything else.”
However, Heather shared that the rest of her experience on the show “was a lot of fun.”
‘I had a great time. Everyone there was very welcoming. “It’s such a big part of American culture that I definitely wanted to continue it when they called me.”
“It’s something very special to play a small part in this big role,” he added. “It’s been going for 40 years and so I have to play my part in it.”
After Will gave his answer, host Ken was quick to call the track “a little problematic” before apologizing to Heather.
Heather came in to answer a question from the “Complete the rhyming sentence” category. Presenter Ken, 50, then asked the phrase: ‘Men rarely make advances on…’
Fellow contestant Will Wallace correctly guessed the answer as “girls who wear glasses”, which led to an awkward moment on TV as Heather was also wearing glasses.
After Will gave his answer, host Ken was quick to call the track “a little problematic” before apologizing to Heather.
Now he spoke about the incident during an interview with Binghamton University’s Pipe Dream newspaper, stating, “Maybe we’ll choose better rhyming phrases in 2024.”
“It’s definitely a strange choice,” he told the newspaper. “I think it made everyone in the audience and on stage, including Ken Jennings, a little uncomfortable. It was like, “Oh, that was unexpected.”
Former reigning champion Will also joked “very much.”
Fortunately, Heather didn’t seem too fazed by the situation and Ken quickly moved the game forward.
Danger! Fans, however, criticized the “sexist” track on social media and also criticized the category.
On Reddit, one said: “The rhyming phrases category was horrible, especially the sexist track.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, another added: “Frankly, I don’t need to hear Ken read an obviously outdated and inappropriate track and then call it ‘problematic’.”
A third wrote in X: “Rather extremely problematic!”
“Men rarely make advances on girls who wear glasses” is a quote from the late New York socialite and commentator Dorothy Parker from the 1920s and 1930s.
At the end of the episode, Will had only $2 in the bank, while Heather had accumulated $19,600.
But it was Ian Taylor, a food sales representative from Cleveland, Ohio, who won the game for an impressive $19,601.
Viewers criticized the track on social media, calling it “extremely problematic.”
Earlier this month, it was reported that Ken was at risk of being fired in favor of Pop Culture Jeopardy. host Colin Jost.
The Mirror claimed that the show’s producers were forced to weigh their options after they saw ratings on Wheel of Fortune increase after American Idol’s Ryan Seacrest took over.
‘Danger! “Superiors reportedly don’t completely agree with Ken,” the post said.
“Instead of Ken hosting the game show spin-off series Pop Culture Jeopardy!, they tapped Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost to fill the spot.”
Ken has taken on Jeopardy! since season 41 after previous host Mayim Bialik was fired in 2023.