Shock and Disbelief as ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants Fail to Answer Wizard of Oz Trivia

Shock and Disbelief as ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants Fail to Answer Wizard of Oz Trivia

Viewers of ‘Jeopardy!’ were left astonished when all three contestants stumbled over a final clue pertaining to a character from a cherished classic in pop culture.

During the latest episode, contestants Mary Walheim, Alfred Wallace, and reigning champion Bryce Wargin encountered a challenging clue from the ‘Fictional Characters’ category.

The Unanswered Clue

The clue presented was: “Boq is one of these fictional people, ‘Not as big as the grown folk… but neither were they very small.'” Contestants were expected to recognize Boq, a character integral to the world of Oz.

Unfortunately, Walheim found herself with just a dollar in winnings. She had wagered $5,999 of her total $6,000 on the incorrect answer, “What is a Lilliputian?”

Host Ken Jennings interrupted, clarifying that this guess was incorrect. He said, “I’m afraid it’s not the Lilliputians from ‘Gulliver’s Travels.’”

Contestant Responses

Both competitors Wallace and Wargin believed the clue referred to the tiny inhabitants from Jonathan Swift’s 1726 novel. Wallace’s response, “What are lili?” was close, but he wagered $10,000 of his $10,600. Jennings agreed, suggesting that Wallace must have run out of time.

Wargin’s first guess was “What are Lilliputians?” which he crossed out in favor of “dwarves.” Jennings revealed that the correct answer was “What is a Munchkin?”

Jennings elaborated on the significance of the Munchkins in cinematic and literary history. He explained, “In the 1939 movie of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ the Munchkins are indeed small, but in the original book, they are described as being about Dorothy’s height.”

Aftermath for the Contestants

Wargin entered the final round leading with $16,000 but saw his total drop to $10,799 after betting $5,201. Despite this setback, he emerged with total winnings of $70,199 over his four-day championship run.

He found himself in the unusual position of being a champion while having garnered such a perplexing answer. Meanwhile, social media erupted as fans shared their disbelief.

Fan Reactions on Social Media

Many viewers reacted on platforms such as X, astonished that none of the contestants were able to correctly guess the answer related to the character Boq. One user exclaimed, “Read the word ‘Boq’ and SCREAMED ‘MUNCHKIN!!!!!!!!’ How did NO ONE GET THIS?”

Another tweeted, “How did no one get that BOQ answer on Jeopardy right?” It’s clear that the character’s prominence in contemporary adaptations like the hit musical ‘Wicked’ made the misstep even more surprising.

Furthermore, with fans expressing strong emotions, comments flooded in with phrases like, “Everyone who watched Jeopardy and recently watched Wicked was screaming at their TV tonight.” This shared disbelief only amplified the unexpected nature of the episode.

The Cultural Context of Boq

Boq has also gained traction due to the success of ‘Wicked,’ a modern adaptation of Gregory Maguire’s novel, which details the story of the Wicked Witch of the West. The novel provides an engaging backstory, creating a unique perspective on the classic tale initially presented in L. Frank Baum’s ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.’

Although Boq was not included in the original 1939 film starring Judy Garland, he plays an essential role in both the Broadway adaptation and the recent film adaptation of ‘Wicked.’ The character is portrayed by Ethan Slater in the 2024 blockbuster alongside stars Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Since its release, the movie has captivated audiences worldwide, collecting impressive box office earnings of $747.2 million against a $150 million production budget. ‘Wicked’ has achieved a significant milestone as the highest-grossing musical film adaptation to date, even garnering ten nominations at the upcoming Academy Awards.

Looking Ahead: The Future of ‘Wicked’

‘Wicked’ picked up prestigious awards, including Oscars for best costume design and best production design, solidifying its status in contemporary cinema. As anticipation builds for part two, titled ‘Wicked: For Good,’ Slater will reprise his role as Boq alongside Grande and Erivo. The sequel is set to premiere in the fall, promising even more enchantment for fans.

As the buzz continues around ‘Jeopardy!’ and its latest episode, many will reflect on this surprising moment in pop culture trivia.