'Jeopardy!' contestant says controversial sexist clue was 'a little uncomfortable'

A past "Jeopardy!" contestant is speaking out about a misogynistic clue.

Heather Ryan, who appeared on an Oct. 28 episode of the game show, told Binghamton University student news outlet Pipe Dream in New York that one hint was "a little uncomfortable."

Host Ken Jennings read, "Men seldom make passes at…," to which the answer was, "Girls who wear glasses." Ryan was the only female contestant on stage, and she was wearing glasses. Jennings later apologized.

"It is definitely an odd choice. I think it made everybody in the audience and on stage, and Ken Jennings too, a little uncomfortable. It was like, 'oh, that was unexpected.' Maybe we choose better rhyming phrases in 2024," she said.

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After the incident took place, Jennings said, "A little problematic, sorry Heather" in reference to Ryan. The hint originally comes from a 1920s poem "Men" in the poetry collection "Enough Rope" by the late poet Dorothy Parker.

USA TODAY has reached out to reps for "Jeopardy" for comment.

Ryan added: "Unfortunately, there are still girls who are (in) middle school, and they don't want to wear their glasses and they're losing out on their education. So, I think it's much better to be able to see than anything else."

According to the J! Archive, which tracks "Jeopardy" contestant winnings, Ryan amassed $19,600 in second place but lost by $1 to Cleveland food sales rep Ian Taylor.

Despite the uncomfortable moment, Ryan said the "Jeopardy" experience "was very fun," and "I had a great time. Everybody there was very welcoming."  She and Taylor came in front of four-day champion Will Wallace, a video game designer from Austin, Texas. The trio of contestants continue to stay connected even after their episode aired, according to Pipe Dream.

"It's such a part of American culture that I definitely wanted to go on when I got the call for it," Ryan told the outlet, noting she filmed the episode in Los Angeles earlier this year during summer.

This story has been updated with new information.