“Jeopardy!” faced significant criticism from viewers following a Final Jeopardy clue about James Bond films that aired on July 7, 2025. Fans argued the question was poorly constructed and confusing, leading to widespread complaints about its wording.
Host Ken Jennings presented the “Movie Music” category clue, which read: “The last 2 best song Oscar winners whose titles were the same name as the movie they were in had this man in the leading role.” The correct answer was Daniel Craig, referencing the Bond films “Skyfall” from 2012 and “No Time to Die” from 2021, for which Adele and Billie Eilish respectively performed the Oscar-winning title songs.
During the episode, contestant Ashley began writing actor Timothee Chalamet as her response, which Jennings confirmed was incorrect. Contestant Vince correctly wrote “Who is Daniel Craig,” while returning champion Scott also answered correctly, securing his third consecutive victory.
Viewers quickly took to social media and the show’s YouTube page to express their frustration with the clue’s construction. One viewer commented that they assumed the question referred to the most recent two Best Song winners from 2024 and 2025, highlighting confusion caused by the comma placement in the sentence. Another fan questioned whether “James Bond” would have been accepted as an answer, noting that the clue asked for the person in the leading role without specifying whether it sought the actor or character name.
The backlash centered on what fans described as convoluted phrasing that made the question’s intent unclear. Multiple viewers used the term “poorly phrased” to describe their issues with the clue, while others called it confusing and difficult to parse. The criticism highlighted ongoing concerns about clarity in the show’s question construction.
The controversy comes as Jennings continues to host the iconic game show following the death of longtime host Alex Trebek in 2020. Jennings, who began his “Jeopardy!” career 20 years ago as a contestant, won over $2.5 million during a remarkable 74-game winning streak. He has previously acknowledged the challenges contestants face during their appearances.
In April, Jennings told Fox News Digital that he maintains complete empathy for contestants who struggle during their time on the show. He described the experience as throwing first-time television participants into a high-pressure environment and expressed how his heart goes out to people competing. The host emphasized his focus on making contestants comfortable and hoping they succeed during their appearances.
Jennings has acknowledged that age affects performance on “Jeopardy!” and that he has noticed differences in his own abilities since his original run as a contestant. He has mentioned being slightly slower at recalling names and experiencing changes in his buzzer rhythm compared to his championship days in 2004.
The James Bond clue incident represents the latest example of fan criticism directed at the show’s question construction. Social media platforms have become common venues for viewers to express dissatisfaction with clues they perceive as unfair or poorly worded. The show’s producers have not responded publicly to the specific complaints about the July 7 episode.
This criticism follows a pattern of increased scrutiny of “Jeopardy!” clues in recent years, as dedicated fans analyze questions for accuracy and fairness. The show’s Final Jeopardy rounds often generate particular attention due to their importance in determining winners and the significant point values involved.
Despite the controversy, Scott’s victory in the July 7 episode marked his third consecutive win, allowing him to continue as the show’s returning champion. The debate over the clue’s phrasing has not affected the official outcome of the game, though it has highlighted ongoing concerns about question clarity among the show’s dedicated fanbase.