Jeopardy!’ fans outraged as all three contestants fail to answer this prayer question
Jeopardy! is the most watched game show on television, featuring the sharpest and most knowledgeable contestants who tackle clues that often leave average viewers baffled.
In a recent episode, to the astonishment of many Christian viewers, all three contestants were stumped by what seemed to be a straightforward clue about the Lord’s Prayer.
The $200 clue, typically the easiest on the board, was read by host Mayim Bialik in the “Dadjectives” category on June 13. The clue read: “This ‘Be Thy Name,’ Our Father Who Art in Heaven,” a reference to Matthew 6:9.
The correct response, “hallowed” (or “What is hallowed?” in Jeopardy! format), should be familiar to anyone who learned the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday school. While even seemingly easy Jeopardy! questions can sometimes confuse contestants, the fact that none of them recognized one of the most well-known Christian prayers struck a nerve among many viewers.
One Twitter user remarked, “On Jeopardy last night, not a single player recognized the answer to this. Are you awake yet?”
“Growing up, learning the Lord’s Prayer was like learning the Pledge of Allegiance. You just did,” read another tweet.
Some viewers took it as a sign of declining religious knowledge in the U.S., while others were simply shocked that such a basic clue went unanswered. “I’m an atheist and even I knew the answer to that Lord’s Prayer question,” commented one user.
“My 4-year-old niece got that Jeopardy! question right! I’m just curious if the contestants had never heard of the Lord’s Prayer,” wrote another.
“How are these Jeopardy! nerds not aware of the answer? Don’t they know who Iron Maiden is?” joked a user, referencing the band’s song “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”
Despite the apparent simplicity of the question, the contestants’ failure to answer left some viewers stunned, while others remained understanding. With their low scores, two contestants might have opted to play it safe rather than risk falling further behind.
It’s also important to note that Jeopardy! frequently features questions about Christianity and the Bible, with players often answering correctly on topics that might stump even the most devout churchgoer. In fact, some critics argue that the show asks too many questions about Christianity.
Additionally, Jeopardy! draws contestants from diverse backgrounds and religious beliefs, making it likely that these three contestants did not grow up in predominantly Christian households, unlike many viewers.
Interestingly, while the contestants struggled with the Lord’s Prayer, they performed slightly better on the Final Jeopardy question about 1970s films: “He starred in the 2 films whose soundtracks were the top 2 bestselling albums of 1978.” The correct response was John Travolta, star of Saturday Night Fever and Grease. This victory extended contestant Suresh Krishnan’s winning streak to six games.
What do you think about these Jeopardy! questions? Are the contestants really unaware of the Lord’s Prayer? Share your thoughts on this story!
