JEOPARDY! fans have been left jolted after only one contestant could add up the seven Roman numerals to win Friday's episode.
Some internet users, however, argued that the gaffe reflected more poorly on the beloved game show.
Jeopardy! presented a seemingly simple task to conclude Friday's episode.
Under "NUMBERS OLD & NEW," the Final Jeopardy read: "Expressed in today’s numbers, it’s the sum total if you add the 7 Roman numerals together."
As the 30-second Think Music played, the contestants could be seen doing the money math in their heads, looking a little overwhelmed.
One-day champion Nik Berry, a social studies teacher from Baltimore, Maryland, revealed he guessed "2166," which was incorrect.
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Ben Sasamoto, an environmental consultant from Minneapolis, Minnesota, was also incorrect with "666."
Taylor Clagett, a marketing director originally from Chesapeake Beach, Maryland, was the only one who could do it.
Host Ken Jennings, 49, remarked that Taylor was "also doing the math in his head," when revealing he was correct with “1666."
Ken explained to all three: "M plus D plus C plus L, X, V, I equals 1666."
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Taylor doubled to $10,800 and looked thrilled getting to play another day.
FANS CALL OUT THE SHOW
Viewers were surprised only one contestant was correct, but others made an interesting point.
Jeopardy! gives the contestants scratch paper to decide what to wager, which they lock in during the last commercial break.
But the scratch paper is taken away when it comes to answering the Final question- all they get is the screen and their stylus pen, which is a bit tough in math.
One Reddit user wrote: "I was 100% expecting a triple-get for today's Final Jeopardy. Absolutely stunned that only one got it right."
Another agreed: "At least someone got this ridiculously easy Final Jeopardy."
A third argued: "This might be a prime example of a Final Jeopardy that's much tougher standing under TV lights than sitting at home."
To which a recent contestant wrote: "Can confirm, I watched this episode from the audience and forgot an entire Roman numeral even though I wasn't even on stage."
A fifth wrote: "I think this is a rare example where having access to a writing surface potentially makes it much easier.
Someone else then had to ask: "Do they have a scratchpad? Would be easy if so."
To which an in-the-know fan wrote back: "They do, but only for mathing out your wager.
"Good luck remembering how to do arithmetic by hand when you have adrenaline rushing through your veins though."
Another agreed that would have helped and could be a handy change for math Final clues.
'NAPOLEON, SERIOUSLY?'
That said, fans roasted one contestant's Final Jeopardy guess as it was pretty off the map earlier this week.
Final Jeopardy! under "Government Officials" read: “In 1867 he wrote to General Rousseau, 'On arriving at Sitka…you will receive from the Russian commissioner the formal transfer.'"
Daniel and Jerry were correct with [Secrety of State William H.] “Seward,” as the clue referred to Sitka, Alaska.
When Secretary of State Seward engineered the acquisition of Alaska from Russia, the purchase was famously known as “Seward’s Folly,” because no one thought the chunk of ice was worth the price of $7.2M.
However, Leanne was incorrect and guessed “Napoleon” dropping $602 - she had a slightly embarrassed smirk while revealing it.
“I’m afraid not, Leann,” Ken ruled.
“That one gal with Napoleon? Seriously?!” one fan tweeted.
“Government official Napoleon?” another snarked.
SCHEDULE IN JEOPARDY?
Mayim Bialik, 47, and winningest contestant Ken were chosen as the co-successors to the late Alex Trebek in 2022 after his tragic passing at age 80.
Ken is hosting episodes airing until next Friday- at which point Jeopardy! will take its annual summer hiatus.
It's no secret that many fans and contestants prefer Ken and want him to score the hosting gig alone.
That said, Mayim exited her most recent hosting slate early to support the WGA writers' strike.
Ken has been criticized on social media as a so-called scab by fans and even celebrities for returning to the set.
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Some fans are also fearing for Season 40 of Jeopardy! given the strike has expanded to SAG members.
The beloved game show has not spoken out on how the strike will affect next season, set to air in early September, with all of its writers currently on strike and no clues written past July 28's season finale.
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