An episode of “Jeopardy!” caused a stir among viewers due to a contentious question during the game. The clue, which appeared during the Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT) on March 26, 2024, involved former champions Arthur Chu, David Madden, and MacKenzie Jones, who were vying for a semifinal spot.
The controversial moment revolved around a Daily Double that Arthur Chu failed to answer correctly. This error led to a significant shift in the game’s dynamics and incited a flurry of reactions among the show’s fervent fanbase.
Chu, who previously earned 11 victories and finished second in the 2014 Tournament of Champions, had amassed total winnings of $398,200. He drew attention for his unconventional game strategy, which involved seeking out Daily Doubles and randomly selecting clues, a strategy later perfected by James Holzhauer, who left the show in 2019 as the second highest-earning player in the show’s history.
After the Jeopardy! round, Chu led with $6,400, followed by Madden with $4,200 and Jones with $2,200. In the Double Jeopardy! round, Madden found the second Daily Double and won $5,000, taking the lead before Chu encountered the final Daily Double. Chu wagered $10,000 and was presented with a video clue of a stringless violin, accompanied by the text, “It describes someone weakened by nerves, and also the instrument here.” Chu was unable to provide the correct response before time ran out. Host Ken Jennings revealed the answer: “What is unstrung.”
This misstep allowed Madden to secure the night’s victory. By the Final Jeopardy round, Madden had established a lead of $18,400, while Chu had $5,600 and Jones had $600.
The episode stirred a wide range of reactions on social media. Many viewers expressed disappointment over Chu’s downfall, particularly after his much-anticipated return to the show. Some fans felt that the Daily Double clue was unfair and poorly constructed, which was echoed by Jennifer Quail, a competitor in Wednesday’s tournament episode, who said: “We were watching on the TV in the green room but couldn’t decipher the intention behind it. The collective opinion at the hotel later that evening was that it was an absurd question, and using ‘unstrung’ in that scenario seemed excessively far-fetched.”
Chu, who first appeared on the show in 2014, has had a tumultuous relationship with the Jeopardy! audience. His unorthodox gameplay initially drew criticism, earning him the nickname “Jeopardy! villain”—a title he openly embraced. Chu often engaged with viewers by live-tweeting during his appearances and didn’t shy away from the backlash.
The JIT, which began on March 20 and continued into early April, introduced a new tournament format for the season. The event brought back notable champions from the past, providing viewers with the opportunity to see fan favorites who haven’t been on the show in years. The tournament spanned three weeks and features a combination of recent winners and former contestants who have become Chasers. The champion received $100,000 and a spot in Masters Season 2, in May on ABC’s Primetime. The format included nine quarterfinal matches, three semifinals, and a final best-of-four match.
