Jeopardy! is the most popular quiz show on television.
The most quick-witted and knowledgeable participants respond to hints that most home viewers don’t understand.
However, one seemingly basic clue about the Lord’s Prayer stumped all three contestants in a recent episode, much to the amazement of some Christian supporters.
During the June 13 broadcast, host Mayim Bialik read the $200 clue—the smallest and generally simplest amount on the board—in the category “Dadjectives.”
“Matthew 6:9 says, ‘Our Father Which Art In Heaven’, This ‘Be Thy Name.’”
Anyone who remembers memorizing the Lord’s Prayer in Sunday school would recognize the answer, which is “hallowed” (or rather, “what is hallowed,” per Jeopardy! criteria).
Even answers on Jeopardy appear simple! Sometimes participants are perplexed, but the fact that no one comprehended one of Christianity’s most popular prayers seemed to have struck a chord with the faithful.
“Not one contestant on Jeopardy last night knew the answer to this…Are you waking up yet?” one Twitter user wrote.
“The Lord’s Prayer growing up was like knowing The Pledge of Allegiance. You just did,” one tweet says.
“While it may not be a sign of the end times, if DEFINITELY speaks volumes about Americans and their faith…or lack of,” another wrote.
Some viewers saw it as a sign of dwindling trust in the United States, while others were disappointed they didn’t notice a rather obvious indicator.
“I’m an atheist and even I knew the answer to that lord’s prayer question,” one Twitter user said.
“My 4 year old niece got the answer on this Question on Jeopardy! Just wondering maybe the contestants never heard about The Lord’s Prayer?” another wrote.
“How can those Jeopardy! nerds not know this answer. Have they never listened to Iron Maiden?” another user joked, referencing the Iron Maiden song “Hallowed Be Thy Name.”
Some onlookers were surprised to discover that every contender was perplexed by an apparently simple question, but others demonstrated greater composure. Due to their poor scores, two of the participants may have choose to play it safe rather than risk falling farther behind.
It’s also worth noting that Jeopardy! frequently asks questions about Christianity and the Bible, and competitors frequently receive answers to problems that even devout churchgoers would find difficult. It’s such a common theme that some viewers have complained that the show includes too many Christian-related questions.
Furthermore, Jeopardy! admits contestants from a variety of backgrounds and religious beliefs; it is quite unlikely that these three contestants grew up in the same Christian context as many viewers.
The final Jeopardy answer was, “He starred in the 2 films whose soundtracks were the top 2 bestselling albums of 1978.” Despite their confusion over the Lord’s Prayer, the competitors performed slightly better when it came to 1970s films.
What is the proper response? Travolta, John (soundtracks for Grease and Saturday Night Fever). Suresh Krishnan, who was competing, won, bringing his winning run to six games.
