JEOPARDY! delivered another nail-biting game tonight – but many fans are furious they didn’t get to see it due to an abrupt programming change.
As some viewers tuned in on Tuesday to see promising new player Ryan Manton nab his second win, they were shocked that other shows airing in its place.
The latest episode of Jeopardy! was scheduled to air at the same time as various other high-profile events.
Many viewers complained that despite not receiving any warning, an MLB game, WNBA game as well as a special political report aired in its place.
“I can’t believe I missed tonight’s episode because of some baseball game I don’t care about,” one fan raged.
“In Chicago we missed Regular Jeopardy because of a WNBA game,” another said.
“An MLB game was happening during the entire half hour today’s episode was supposed to air. Congratulations to Ryan!” a third wrote.
“YouTube TV didn’t record today’s episode for me 
Looks like my local station didn’t air it due to the special report regarding Iran and Israel,” a fourth noted.
Due to the long-running game show being syndicated, it airs on different channels at different times depending on what region of the country the viewer is watching in.
Those who weren’t able to catch the episode missed Columbus, Ohio native Ryan getting his second win after yesterday’s dominant debut.
After taking home over $21,000 on Monday’s game, Ryan returned to compete against Mike McComb, a project manager from Michigan as well as Brooke Levine, a workforce manager from New Jersey.
Like his first game, Ryan was off to a quick start, buzzing into the early questions and already having the lead going into the first commercial break.
Ryan secured $2,800 at the first break while Mike was closely behind with $1,600 after losing the lead after getting two Double Jeopardy! clues wrong.
Brooke was placed third with $800, which quickly dropped down to $200 as the game continued.
The third Double Jeopardy! was found by Ryan under the category AVIAN POETRY.
“The narrator asks this title bird to ‘leave my loneliness unbroken!- quit the bust above my door!’” which Ryan rightfully answers Edgar Allen Poe’s famed piece of work The Raven.
Ryan added $5,600 to his prize pot with that answer, bringing his mid-game total to an impressive $14,400 with Mike still in second with $8,000.
As the trio headed into Final Jeopardy!, they were given the category of SITCOMS.
FIERY FINALE
“The first British sitcom to win a Best Comedy Golden Globe, it was remade in a U.S. version that had almost 15 times as many episodes,” host Ken Jennings read to the players.
Mike and Brooke both correctly wrote The Office, bringing their final totals to $10,000 and $1,200, respectively.
Meanwhile, Ryan chose not to answer the question for the second time in a row after using the Final Jeopardy! yesterday as an opportunity to say hi to his wife, Lauren.
It didn’t matter, as Ryan wagered $0 and kept his second game total at $21,600 – nearly the same amount he brought home from game one.
During his first episode, Ryan gushed that his wife Lauren also appeared on Jeopardy! three years ago and he popped-the-question to her the night before her show taping.
After an impressive two-day winning streak, Ryan has already earned over $43,000 as he heads into his third episode – which airs on Wednesday.
Yesterday, Ryan impressed both host Ken and fans alike with a triumphant Jeopardy! debut.
Ken praised Ryan’s gameplay at the end of the game, as well as the player’s ability to take “risks” in such a quick-paced competition.
Jeopardy! Set Secrets
Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:
- Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
- After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
- Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
- The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
- Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
- To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
- All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
- There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
- Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
- The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
- Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
- Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
- Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
- Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.
Fans were also impressed by what they saw, and even predict his future within the franchise remains bright.
“I know it’s early but I am sensing a ToC contender here,” one viewer insisted.
In order to earn a coveted spot in the Tournament of Champions, contestants must win five consecutive games to be considered.
Another viewer one wrote: “Ryan displayed a winning mindset with his all-in bet in the first round.
“Even if you miss, there’s plenty of time to recover, so it makes the most sense to just go for it.”
While one more said: “Wow, very impressive debut!”
