Emancipation' spelling error during Kids Week causes Jeopardy controversy, Jeopardy" is defending itself after a 12-year-old's answer was disqualified during Kids Week for an extra "t."
During final Jeopardy, the kids were asked, "Abraham Lincoln called this document, which took effect in 1863, "a fit and necessary war measure."
Thomas Hurley III wrote, "What is the emanciptation (sic) proclamation?"
"Well, because he misspelled it badly," host Alex Trebek said during the show, "That's unfortunate, the judges are ruling against you."
At the time, Thomas was in second place with $9,600 in winnings. He lost $3,000 on the answer.
However, even if he had won the $3,000, he still would have finished in second place. The winner won $66,600 that day.
Hurley's dad told CNN his son was almost in tears.
"It's a kids' tournament! Everyone knew what he meant," said Thomas Hurley II.
Jeopardy producers sent CNN a statement saying: "If Jeopardy! were to give credit for an incorrect response (however minor), the show would effectively penalize the other players. We love presenting young people as contestants on our show, and make every effort to be fair and consistent in their treatment."
On an interesting note, during the show, Trebek said Hurley had put a "p in there," when actually the problem was an extra "t."
During final Jeopardy, the kids were asked, "Abraham Lincoln called this document, which took effect in 1863, "a fit and necessary war measure."
Thomas Hurley III wrote, "What is the emanciptation (sic) proclamation?"
"Well, because he misspelled it badly," host Alex Trebek said during the show, "That's unfortunate, the judges are ruling against you."
At the time, Thomas was in second place with $9,600 in winnings. He lost $3,000 on the answer.
However, even if he had won the $3,000, he still would have finished in second place. The winner won $66,600 that day.
Hurley's dad told CNN his son was almost in tears.
"It's a kids' tournament! Everyone knew what he meant," said Thomas Hurley II.
Jeopardy producers sent CNN a statement saying: "If Jeopardy! were to give credit for an incorrect response (however minor), the show would effectively penalize the other players. We love presenting young people as contestants on our show, and make every effort to be fair and consistent in their treatment."
On an interesting note, during the show, Trebek said Hurley had put a "p in there," when actually the problem was an extra "t."
