In a moment that’s sparked serious controversy among longtime Jeopardy! fans, host Ken Jennings is facing intense backlash after reading a clue many called “sexist,” “outdated,” and “deeply disappointing.” The phrase, taken from a well-known quote by American poet Dorothy Parker, caused an uproar both online and in the studio — prompting Jennings to apologize directly to the female contestant affected.

The incident occurred during a recent episode in which the clue read:

“This woman, known for her wit, once described a woman’s place as ‘between a man’s arms and his wallet.’”

While the quote was historically accurate and attributed to Parker’s famously biting humor, the context in which it was used — especially without clarification — didn’t sit well with viewers.

Social media lit up almost immediately, with fans expressing concern that the clue reinforced harmful stereotypes about women.
“Ken, you’re better than this,” one viewer tweeted. “There’s no need to repeat sexist jokes just because they’re ‘literary.’”
Another called the clue “lazy and misogynistic,” especially given the show’s influence on younger viewers and its cultural standing.

Even more uncomfortable, the clue was directed to a female contestant, who many noted looked visibly uncomfortable as the audience reacted awkwardly.

Later in the show, Jennings addressed the moment briefly, saying:

“I want to acknowledge that one of the clues earlier may have landed poorly. It wasn’t our intent to offend — and I apologize if it did.”

Still, that didn’t quiet the wave of criticism. Critics argue that referencing Parker’s quote without deeper historical framing or commentary turned an ironic line into a flat-out offensive message. Others pointed out Jeopardy!‘s responsibility to be more thoughtful in how it presents controversial or sensitive content, even when it’s drawn from literary sources.

This isn’t the first time Jennings has been caught in the crossfire of social commentary. As the successor to the legendary Alex Trebek, Jennings has both fans and critics watching his every move — and with Jeopardy! evolving in the social media era, the margin for error is thinner than ever.

Despite the apology, many are now calling for the Jeopardy! production team to reevaluate its clue vetting process and ensure more context is given in future broadcasts — especially when the subject matter includes potentially triggering or gendered language.

So far, Jennings has not issued any public statement beyond his brief on-air comment.