The Jeopardy! stage briefly turned into a pop culture flashpoint this week after contestants failed to recognize one of Hollywood’s most legendary actors.
On Monday night’s episode, host Ken Jennings introduced the category Sesame Street. The clue featured Oscar the Grouch grumbling from his trash can: “Throughout the years, lots of people have stopped by ‘Sesame Street’ like Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings. Why can’t they leave a grouch alone? But, the very first was this guy, who recited the alphabet for us.”
As Jennings read the clue, a black-and-white photo of James Earl Jones appeared on screen. None of the three contestants buzzed in with the correct response.
“That’s James Earl Jones,” Jennings said, revealing the answer and acknowledging the actor, who died Sept. 9, 2024, at age 93.
Jones, whose deep voice became synonymous with iconic roles such as Darth Vader in Star Wars and Mufasa in The Lion King, had also been among the first celebrities to visit Sesame Street when it launched in 1969. His alphabet recital remains one of the show’s most memorable moments.
Fans of Jeopardy! and Jones quickly took to social media to express shock and disappointment. On the show’s official accounts, viewers criticized the miss, with many saying it was “unbelievable” that none of the contestants recognized a man whose voice defined generations of film and television.
The viral moment underscored both the enduring impact of James Earl Jones — and just how surprising it can be when contestants stumble on cultural legends.