‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant Slammed as “Plain Dumb” After Major Loss

By Samantha Nungesser @samjnungesser
Published March 27, 2023, 9:30 a.m. ET

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Jeopardy! fans are not holding back after one contestant’s mega-blunder put her in last place during Wednesday night’s (March 22) episode of the hit quiz show.

While Karen Morris was in the lead with $21,800 on the board — followed by the other players’ scores of $7,100 and $6,400 — she attempted to win the game with a $10,000 Double Jeopardy bet.

“This artist the Younger was working on yet another portrait of Henry VIII when he died in 1543,” Ken Jennings read, before Morris failed to give a correct answer — or any answer.

When the time ran out, Jennings said, “I’m sorry — Hans Holbein the Younger, the painter,” as her score dropped down to $11,800.

But that wasn’t the end of Morris’ woes.

During the Final Jeopardy round, the veterinary student was tasked with answering a clue within the “American Novelists” category which read, “He served with an airman named Yohannan in World War II, and despite what readers might think, he enjoyed his service.”

However, she incorrectly responded with Hunter S. Thompson — the man who discovered gonzo journalism — instead of Catch-22 author Joseph Heller. The flub ultimately brought Morris down from $11,400 to $5,399 after she wagered $6,001.

Meanwhile, Jeopardy! fans took to Twitter, where they slammed Morris for her “jaw-dropping” gaffe.

One wrote, “This person made the worst daily double bet of all time – costing her sure win and putting her in third place. Who is Karen.”

“She deserved to lose after that greedy bet #stupidgirl,” another added.

A third person said, “Terrible wager by Karen on #Jeopardy. Would have been a runaway had she not wagered a penny on that last Daily double. Instead she has to fight to win in Final. Absolutely poor decision making.”

“Either Karen is completely arrogant or just plain dumb!” someone else pointed out, while another fumed, “Found Karen kinda smug in the Double Jeopardy round. She sure got her comeuppance for that arrogant wager. Possibly the worst wager I’ve seen on #Jeopardy.”

There were, however, some fans who had sympathy for Morris.

“I, for one, salute you,” one wrote. “The lame thing is that if you had gotten that DD right, the same peanut gallery peeps that are trolling you would be lauding it as an epic baller move. (just to clarify, I’m calling the trolls lame).”

Another added, “I truly feel for Karen. Yes she made a terrible decision, but not one she should be attacked for. No one has beaten her up more than herself. Not a Melissa fan so I was hoping Karen pulled this out.”

Jeopardy! airs on weeknights at 7/6c on ABC.