‘Jeopardy!’ Former Champ Dishes On Show’s Major Flaw

Former Jeopardy! champ Sam Kavanaugh recently dished on what he sees as one of the show’s major flaws. So, what did he say about how things should change?

Jeopardy! Champs Become Part Of The Show’s Lore

With the way that Jeopardy! is built, when you become a champion, and when you put an impressive winning streak together, you become part of the fabric of the game. Even years after someone appears on the show, they are forever a part of the show’s lore.

In addition, there is no better example of a former Jeopardy! champion becoming an integral part of the show than current host, Ken Jennings. He put together an unbeatable winning streak of 74 games back in 2004. All these years later, he is now the host of the show.

Indeed, even on a lesser scale, Jeopardy! champions are remembered by fans, and many of them have a lot to say about the game, even years after they make an appearance.
Jeopardy! Ken Jennings/YouTube

Former Jeopardy! Champ Sam Kavanaugh Reveals Show’s Major Flaw

Sam Kavanaugh put together a respectable winning streak on Jeopardy! back in 2019. The substitute teacher from Minnesota also won the Tournament of Champions back in 2021. So, he certainly knows a thing or two about winning the game and competing at a high level.

According to the former champ, he had plenty to say on the matter of how the game is going. The way Kavanaugh sees it, there are too many tournaments that focus on bringing back old players, and not enough fresh meat episodes with new players coming in to compete on the Jeopardy! stage.
Jeopardy: Sam Kavanaugh/YouTube

Jeopardy! Kavanaugh Talks About Tournament Fatigue

As an example, with Season 40 of Jeopardy!, two-thirds of the season was all about bringing back familiar faces to compete. This left only a small window available to introduce new competitors in regular episodes. On the one hand, you would think this would be a winning scenario for both returning players and viewers, however, like others, Sam Kavanaugh sees this model as a major flaw in the game.

Indeed, the way Kavanaugh and many viewers see it, there needs to be a better balance between returning players and new players on the Jeopardy! stage.
Jeopardy: Ken Jennings/YouTube
Recently speaking to the US Sun on the matter, Sam Kavanaugh said: “That series of all the different tournaments and everything, I think a certain segment of the viewership are people who see themselves up there. So, when you’re seeing that there aren’t new people up there, I’m sure that felt discouraging for a lot of people.”

Sam continued, adding: “Now that they’re back into regular play, and this is sort of the big challenge: Balancing the people who are coming back, old favorites, some of those familiar faces and people who have perfected the game and that sort of spirit of anyone off the street.”

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