‘Jeopardy!’: Diana Ross Trends on Twitter After Embarrassingly Incorrect Answer

Rick Kern/Getty Images for AIDS Healthcare Foundation / YouTube

Diana Ross probably didn’t expect to find herself trending on Twitter this week, but that’s what happened after March 21 episode of Jeopardy! when the iconic singer was named as a controversial incorrect answer.

It all went down in the Final Jeopardy! round, with the category being “Singers” and the clue reading, “In 2021, at age 95, this singer achieved a Guinness World Record for the oldest person to release an album of new material.” The answer, of course, was legendary crooner Tony Bennett, who released his second collaborative album, Love for Sale, with Lady Gaga on September 30, 2021.

Things started off on the right foot as host Ken Jennings asked third-place contestant Margaret Chipowsky for her answer. “Who is Tony Bennett?” she wrote, wagering $9,000 and taking her total winnings for the episode up to $18,000. “Wow, a big wager,” Jennings remarked.

However, the evening took a turn when Jennings turned to the other two contestants. First up was Finn Corrigan, who wrote, “Who is Diana Ross?” His embarrassment was saved somewhat by the fact that fellow contestant Karen Johnson also answered with Diana Ross. The answer was almost two decades off, given the Supremes singer is just 77-years-old, though she did at least release an album in 2021.

“I mean, to be fair, you’re only 75 years younger than Tony Bennett, so generationally, it’s a bit of a stretch,” Jennings said to Corrigan, offering some comfort in the moment. However, viewers at home were less forgiving, with many of them shocked on Ross’ behalf.

“TWO #Jeopardy contestants thought Diana Ross was 95 years old in 2021…. 95. years. old. I assume they went straight to jail??” tweeted one fan. “I think my soul just left my body. Two people on tonight’s #jeopardy thought Diana Ross was 95 years old,” added film critic Mara Reinstein.

“I wonder if Diana Ross is offended that two #Jeopardy contestants thought she was 95 years old…,” commented another viewer, while one person asked, “Anyone check on Diana Ross after watching that @Jeopardy episode?”

In Final Jeopardy tonight, TWO #Jeopardy contestants thought Diana Ross was 95 years old in 2021….

95. years. old.

I assume they went straight to jail?? pic.twitter.com/25wT8DRlP3

— RowerGirl (@rower_girl159) March 21, 2022

I think my soul just left my body. Two people on tonight’s #jeopardy thought Diana Ross was 95 years old.

— Mara Reinstein (@MaraReinstein) March 21, 2022

I wonder if Diana Ross is offended that two #Jeopardy contestants thought she was 95 years old… pic.twitter.com/obM0fsv3Ut

— Daria (@dariazeoli) March 21, 2022

Anyone check on Diana Ross after watching that @Jeopardy episode? 🤭#dianaross #Jeopardy

— LM Lang (@froglette1969) March 22, 2022

Both Corrigan and Johnson were apologetic for their error and took to social media to explain themselves. “Deepest apologies to the iconic Diana Ross! I didn’t really think you were the answer, but was running out of time and had to put something!” wrote Johnson, while Corrigan replied, “Me too! I knew she was not nearly that old but better to write something than nothing. Just glad we’re in this together hahahaha.”

Me too! I knew she was not nearly that old but better to write something than nothing. Just glad we’re in this together hahahaha

— Finn (@FinnJeopardy) March 22, 2022

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