Jeopardy Contestants Slammed for Not Knowing Shaft Actor

Three contestants on the iconic game show "Jeopardy!" found themselves in hot water with fans after they failed to answer a seemingly straightforward pop culture question.

In Wednesday’s episode, contestants Melanie Hirsch, John Rindone, and Josh Weikert were presented with a clue in the category "Be My TV Show Guest." The clue read: "This star of the O.G. 'Shaft' guest-starred as two different characters on 'The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.'" As dramatic as it sounds, all three participants were left utterly speechless.

The question referenced none other than Richard Roundtree, often hailed as the "first Black action hero" thanks to his iconic role in the 1971 film Shaft. Roundtree also appeared in several sequels, including "Shaft's Big Score!" and "Shaft in Africa." On "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air," he guest-starred as Dr. Mumford and Rev. Gordon Sims. Despite his impressive credentials, the contestants were unable to identify him.

Fans of the show didn’t hold back, taking to social media to express their disbelief. One Reddit user vented, "I am deeply saddened about the original Shaft Triple Stumper." On X (formerly Twitter), someone sarcastically quipped, "Meanwhile, these idiots don't know who Shaft is? Shut yo mouth!" Another simply exclaimed, "They didn’t know Richard Roundtree?! I think we're all screaming!"

Roundtree, who passed away in 2023 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, left an indelible mark on Hollywood. Aside from Shaft, his roles included appearances in the television miniseries Roots as Sam Bennett and a stint in the CBS series continuation of Shaft in 1973. Fans’ frustration over the contestants’ blank stares just underscores the actor’s incredible legacy.

Interestingly, this isn’t the first time "Jeopardy!" contestants have been stumped by a pop culture question recently. Just last week, players failed to solve a final puzzle about the '80s sitcom Cheers. The clue referenced the setting’s "Maximum Room Capacity 75 Persons" sign, leading to some questionable guesses like "MASH." The correct answer, as host Ken Jennings revealed, was "Cheers." Fans online were quick to dissect the mishap, with one Reddit user pointing out, "A capacity sign like that meant it had to be in a public place, and Cheers famously takes place in a bar."

While "Jeopardy!" remains a beloved institution, these recent moments have sparked debates about contestants’ knowledge—or lack thereof—especially when it comes to cultural touchstones from previous decades. After all, not knowing Shaft is one thing, but leaving Richard Roundtree unrecognized? That feels like pop culture sacrilege.