The annual “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions has been postponed due to multiple recent champions refusing to cross the Writers Guild of America picket line. Sony Pictures Television, the show’s producer, released a statement clarifying that the tournament would not be produced until the strike is resolved. The tournament, which showcases champions from the previous season, is typically filmed in late summer and aired in November.
The writers of “Jeopardy!”, who are members of the Writers Guild of America West, have joined TV and film members of the WGA West and East in a strike since May, advocating for fair pay and improved working conditions in the streaming era. In solidarity with the show’s writers, thirteen-time champion Ray Lalonde publicly announced that he would not participate in the Tournament of Champions. Lalonde, a member of IATSE, a union representing film and TV crew workers, emphasized the importance of supporting the writers in their quest for a fair contract.
In response to Lalonde’s decision, six other eligible champions pledged their support by also refusing to cross the picket line. Luigi de Guzman, a five-time champion, acknowledged the writers’ significant contribution to the show by stating, “The writers make the clues; the clues make the show.” The solidarity of the champions highlights the impact of the strike on production.
“Jeopardy!” is one of many film and TV productions affected or delayed by the failure of studio executives to reach a fair agreement with writers. Sony Pictures Television revealed that if the strike persists, the show’s new season, set to premiere in September, may feature old clues to produce episodes while negotiations continue. The statement also mentioned the return of the primetime spinoff, “Celebrity Jeopardy!”, this fall, with original material written by WGA writers before the strike.
The statement from Sony Pictures Television emphasized the show’s support for a quick and fair resolution to the strike, expressing respect for the WGA and the writers. It assured viewers that the show would continue to honor its agreements with the WGA and only air game material created by WGA writers.
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