‘Jeopardy!’ Match of Champions delayed after gamers object amid strike

“Jeopardy!” producers will delay taping of the much-anticipated Match of Champions after a number of former contestants acknowledged they might not take part amid the continued Hollywood writers strike.

Nevertheless, new “Jeopardy!” episodes can be produced within the fall with materials penned by Writers Guild of America (WGA) members earlier than the strike started in Could.

“Jeopardy! by no means had any intention of manufacturing a Match of Champions for Season 39 till the strike is resolved,” a present spokesperson confirmed to The Submit on Wednesday.

The assertion continued, “Additional, no contestants from Season 39 have been contacted concerning their availability for any postseason tournaments, together with the ToC. The Jeopardy! postseason represents the head of our competitors, and it ought to characteristic our strongest gamers enjoying our hardest unique materials.”

The assertion additionally emphasised how a lot “respect” the present’s crew has for the WGA.

“Jeopardy! has a protracted historical past with and super respect for the WGA and our writers,” the assertion learn. “We’ve got at all times been cautious to honor our WGA agreements and we might by no means air recreation materials not created by WGA writers. Nevertheless, simply as we did, led by Alex Trebek, in the course of the 2007-2008 strike, we’ll ship first-run episodes once more this fall to greater than 200 affiliate stations nationwide.”

Extra details about the upcoming season is anticipated to be shared subsequent month.

“Everybody at Jeopardy! hopes that the guilds and the AMPTP can attain a good decision shortly,” the “Jeopardy!” spokesperson acknowledged, noting that “Movie star Jeopardy!” will return to ABC this fall, as the fabric was written by WGA writers earlier than the strike started.

Season 39 contestant Ray Lalonde lately introduced on Reddit that he wouldn’t be crossing the picket line to take part within the Match of Champions.

Many event hopefuls adopted go well with, together with Cris Pannullo, Ben Chan and Hannah Wilson.

Even with the event being pushed pack, Lalonde advised The Submit that he nonetheless discovered the response to be “disappointing.”

“Primarily I discovered this response disappointing as a result of the present continues to need to shoot new reveals throughout the WGA picket line,” the Toronto contender advised The Submit on Wednesday.

“In some methods the state of affairs is worse now as a result of they’re going to begin with new contestants who could also be confronted with giving up their solely shot at a lifetime dream to be on the present in the event that they need to respect the author’s picket.”

He continued, “It’s a lot simpler for a few of us to face on precept who’ve already had our successes on that stage. I do know the producers are solely doing the job that they’re being paid to do nevertheless it does really feel dangerous. A public assure that any invitees with an ethical objection could be requested again after the strike is over wouldn’t be an ideal resolution however it will be nicer.”

Lalonde gained 13 consecutive video games this previous season for a complete of $386,400.

Writers, meanwhile, are petitioning for greater wages, regulation surrounding synthetic intelligence, and higher pay from streaming providers.

Earlier this month, the Display Actors Guild-American Federation of Radio and Tv Artists (SAG-AFTRA) unanimously voted to cease working after its contract expired, which implies extra actors and leisure professionals have joined the picket line.

Writers are a necessary a part of “Jeopardy!,” as they devise the clues which might be learn every episode.

The Submit reached out to WGA for remark.