Several recent champions of the game show “Jeopardy!” have made the decision to boycott the annual Tournament of Champions in support of the show’s writers, if the Writers Guild of America strike continues into the fall. The announcement was made by champion Ray Lalonde on a popular Reddit forum dedicated to the show. Lalonde, who won 13 games in December and January, expressed his concern over reports that the show’s producers may resort to using old or recycled material if the strike persists. Lalonde, a supporter of the trade union movement himself, stated that he will not cross a picket line to participate in the tournament.
Lalonde hopes that his public statement will influence the producers to reconsider proceeding without the writers and encourage others in the community who share the same sentiment to speak out. Four other recent champions responded to Lalonde’s post, expressing their solidarity and stating that they too will not cross the WGA picket line for the Tournament of Champions.
Representatives for Sony Pictures Television, the producer of the show, have not yet commented on these announcements or revealed their plans if the strike continues. The new season of “Jeopardy!” is scheduled to premiere in September, with the Tournament of Champions typically airing in November. However, given the strike, it remains uncertain what actions the show will take.
In addition to Lalonde’s announcement, two more champions posted their support on the Reddit forum. They emphasized the importance of the writers in creating the engaging clues that make the show enjoyable for both players and viewers. The writers of “Jeopardy!” are members of the Writers Guild of America West, which is currently on strike along with the WGA East.
The strike, which began on May 2, has halted production in the entertainment industry. More than 160,000 actors represented by the Screen Actors Guild are also on strike over similar issues. This has resulted in the current season of “Jeopardy!” being filmed in mid-May, shortly after the start of the writers strike. One of the hosts, Mayim Bialik, reportedly declined to host the episodes in solidarity with the writers. Ken Jennings, another host, faced criticism for replacing Bialik after her show of support.
The writers of “Jeopardy!” play a crucial role in the success of the show, as their words are displayed on the screen every night. Without them, the show would be incomplete. The writers are fighting for equitable pay and improved working conditions in the streaming era. They are advocating for fair compensation when their work is distributed on streaming platforms and for protections regarding the use of artificial intelligence.
It remains to be seen how the strike will impact the future of “Jeopardy!” and if the producers will address the concerns raised by the champions and the writers.
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