User blog:Gameshowguy2000/One of the worst moments in ''Jeopardy!'' history...

Most of us are die-hard fans of Jeopardy!. Whether it's Ken Jennings and other notable champions, or the doubling of the cash and the addition of the Clue Crew in mid-Season 18, or the jettisoning of the 5-day limit in Season 20, people have been abuzz about this game of answers and questions.

But it's that one thing about the show that makes it unique from other quiz shows. When Merv Griffin wanted to create a quiz show, his wife Julann suggested he do one where the contestants are given the answers, but Merv himself was afraid that would turn into a copy-cat of shows such as The $64,000 Question or Twenty One. What she really meant was give the answers in front of everyone and have them come up with the questions. Enter one of the most popular examples:

A: 5,280

Q: What is the number of feet in a mile?

The show originally became "What's the Question?", but when Merv sent the idea to NBC, the executives there were unsure of this, suggesting that the show "doesn't have enough jeopardies"; "it needs more jeopardies", etc. The only word Merv kept hearing was "Jeopardy!", and soon enough that became the title of the show. Of course, like most quiz shows, you'd earn money if you're right, but like every game show, there needed to be a risk element--and that's where the show's title comes in. If you're wrong, then you lose money. But to avoid confusion, "answers" were referred to as "clues", "questions" were referred to as "responses".

Enter one of the strictest rules ever: In the first round of play, if you forgot the phrasing, you'd be reminded. But in the Double Jeopardy! round, there are no reminders--even if your response is correct, if you don't remember to phrase it in the form of a question, they count it as wrong. This rule obviously would also apply for Final Jeopardy!.

And this is where the moment comes in: This video illustrates that while the leader going into Final Jeopardy! came up with a correct response, if you watch very closely--she did not phrase her response properly. And again, even though she was correct, the rules say you must remember to phrase your response in the form of a question. Had she done so, she would've been the champ, according to her wager on that clue. I know, heartbreaking as it is, but rules are rules.

I've given my two cents on this heart-breaking moment. Now it's your turn. Gameshowguy2000 (talk) 20:25, March 3, 2015 (UTC)