Fairness, Diversity, and Integrity for Jeopardy! — A Call for Change!

**Petition for a Fairer, More Inclusive, and More Educational Jeopardy!**

To the executives at Sony and ABC, and to the producers of Jeopardy!,

We, the undersigned fans and viewers of Jeopardy!, are writing to express our concerns and to propose meaningful reforms to improve the show for all contestants and viewers.

**Addressing the Recent Incident:**
On November 14, 2025, during Final Jeopardy, Ken Jennings allowed a contestant to give an incorrect response—"What is The Life of Pi?"—when the correct answer was "What is Life of Pi." This inconsistency undermines the fairness of the game and sets a concerning precedent. We believe all contestants deserve a level playing field, and errors should be caught and corrected by the judges, not overlooked.

**Bias and Content Concerns:**
It has been observed that Ken Jennings tends to favor male contestants and that the categories often focus heavily on political topics related to the current US government, which can foster frustration and divisiveness among viewers. Jeopardy! should promote diversity and inclusivity and diversify its categories to include Science, English, Literature, History, Math, and Fun categories that appeal to a broad audience.

**Tournament and Hosting Structure:**
Jeopardy! has become saturated with tournaments such as The Second Chance Tournament, The Wildcard Tournament, Celebrity Jeopardy, the Tournament of Champions, and the Jeopardy Masters. We propose:

- Reinstate beloved tournaments like Kids' Week, The Teachers' Tournament, The Teen Tournament, The College Tournament, and The Professors' Tournament.
- Make Jeopardy! Masters a biennial event to preserve its prestige.
- Eliminate Triple Jeopardy to streamline gameplay.
- Replace the current invitation-only Tournament of Champions with two regular Jeopardy! games on Celebrity Jeopardy, as celebrities already have financial security and should not compete for money.
- Remove The Second Chance and Wildcard Tournaments, which served as placeholders during pandemic delays.

**Host Selection and Fairness:**
It is widely believed that Alex Trebek envisioned other hosts such as Alex Faust or Laura Coates to succeed him, rather than Ken Jennings. Sony and ABC's decision to appoint Ken Jennings—despite his history as a contestant—and his apparent bias raise questions about fairness. Hosts should not be former contestants, and the show should prioritize impartiality.

**Special Weeks and Diverse Hosting Opportunities:**
We propose dedicating special weeks to various hosting ideas:

- Weeks hosted by hosts Alex Trebek preferred, such as Alex Faust or Laura Coates.
- Weeks hosted by Jeopardy! researchers and staff, including Eric Johnson, Matt Caruso, Margaret Choi, Angela Ganata, Natalie Kline, Elizabeth Madden, Briana Newsom, and Tiger Schenkman.
- Weeks hosted by Jeopardy! practice game host Jimmy McGuire, social media personalities from YouTube and Instagram, and everyday people like teachers and community members.

At the conclusion of these special weeks, a public poll on Jeopardy.com should determine the next permanent host, ensuring community involvement and transparency.

**The Bigger Picture:**
While debates about hosts are important, we recognize that the core issues extend beyond the game show. Correcting these internal problems can serve as a catalyst for a broader cultural shift—encouraging citizens to stand up for democracy and integrity in government. Just as fair play and respect are essential for Jeopardy!, they are equally vital in our civic life.

**In conclusion:**
Jeopardy! has the potential to be a beacon of fairness, education, and diversity. By implementing these reforms, we can restore faith in the show and inspire viewers to believe in fairness and justice both on-screen and off.

We urge Sony, ABC, and the Jeopardy! team to listen to these voices and take meaningful action.

**Signatures:**