JEOPARDY! champ James Holzhauer has thrown some shade at the show that made him a star.
The professional gambler slammed the game show for its lack of big name celebrities in its current prime-time product.
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James held nothing back criticizing the “celebrity” part of Celebrity Jeopardy!.
The prime-time tournament has been blasted by fans for featuring some not-so-household names, like Veep actor Timothy Simons, comedian Amanda Seales and Ghosts star Utkarsh Ambudkar.
Finding big name celebs can be tough for the mental game show, with many famous folks worried about looking foolish on TV.
That’s part of the reason why the Celebrity Jeopardy! shows have what many consider to be easier clues.
Oscar-winning actress Emma Stone has said she would love to get her chance to step behind the podium. But she is holding out hope for the main, syndicated show, looking for a bigger challenge.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, James said he couldn’t blame her.
“(I know) she doesn’t want to go on Celebrity Jeopardy because the competition there is beneath her,” the big winner tweeted.
“The fatal flaw in her plan is that it would require regular Jeopardy to cast a first-time contestant.”
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NOT ACTING
When she’s not winning Academy Awards for movies like La La Land, Emma has said she’s watching Jeopardy!.
The 35-year-old recently stated in a new interview that she applies to the beloved game show as a regular contestant every year.
“I apply every June,” she sincerely told Variety, before clarifying, “I don’t want to go on Celebrity Jeopardy. I want to earn my stripes.”
This isn’t a random whim for Emma, who takes her prep very seriously.
“You can only take the test once a year with your email address, and I’ve never gotten on the show.
“I watch it every single night and mark down how many answers I get right. I swear, I could go on Jeopardy.”
She called Jeopardy! her “favorite” show, insisting it was her “dream” to be a contestant.
Regarding the testing process, she said, “They just say, ‘We’ll let you know in the next nine to 12 months if you got on the show.’ And guess what, I haven’t gotten on the show.”
CHALLENGE ACCEPTED?
Late Friday, the show’s producers responded to Emma’s interest.
Jeopardy! broke their silence on the unexpected bombshell by sharing a screen-grab of Variety’s story on their Instagram page.
They captioned the post: “#EmmaStone has us in la la land with this mention.”
They added, referring to the month in which she applies annually: “Good luck in June!”
Currently in its 40th season, Jeopardy! is one of the longest-running game shows in history.
Until recently it was hosted by both Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, who succeeded longtime host Alex Trebek after his death in 2020.
But last month, Mayim – who stepped back from her hosting duties last May in solidarity with striking members of the Writers Guild of America – announced that she was fired as co-host.
She said she was “deeply grateful for the opportunity” in her Instagram statement on December 15.
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