On Wednesday night, “Jeopardy!” delivered an unexpected moment of humor led by host Ken Jennings and contestant Micah Fritz. The humorous exchange sparked laughter when Fritz selected the $400 clue from the category “This is Not a Drill,” which described a tool with an angled blade for uprooting unwanted plants, known as a Cape Cod type of this. Fritz answered, “What is a hoe?” to which Jennings jokingly quipped, “It seems like ‘What is a hoe?’ is never correct out here,” eliciting roars of laughter from the audience and viewers alike.
This playful banter referenced a memorable incident from Jennings’s own contestant days in October 2004. Back then, he had answered a clue related to gardening tools with the same phrase, resulting in laughter from the audience and a humorous exchange with then-host Alex Trebek.
Jennings later reflected on that viral moment from 18 years ago, noting the renewed interest it gained on TikTok. In a light-hearted manner, he stated, “I still think I was shafted, quite frankly. I think I’m owed $200.” He acknowledged the complexity of the clue’s wording, humorously noting the disparity in how different tools were perceived.
Following the passing of Trebek in 2020, Jennings was appointed as the interim host before becoming the permanent co-host in 2022, alongside Mayim Bialik, who has recently stepped down from her role.
The exchange illustrates the show’s ability to blend trivia with humor, making for a memorable night that fans will not soon forget. Moments like these remind viewers of the light-hearted spirit “Jeopardy!” maintains while navigating the complexities of language and culture.