The backlash againstCelebrity Jeopardy! has been brewing since this weekend’s episode featured a clue about Brian Laundrie, who confessed to killing Gabby Petito in 2021.
Host Mayim Bialik gave the clue to the celebrity contestants during the show, saying, “In 2021, fugitive Brian Laundrie ended his days in Fla.’s Myakkahatchee Creek area, home to these long & toothy critters.”
Actor Joel Kim Booster gave the correct response, which was alligators.
On social media, viewers discussed the incident and voiced their opinions. Many said it was disrespectful and inappropriate.
“Incredibly poor taste with the ‘alligator’ question. Who writes this garbage? #celebrityjeopardy,” one user wrote.
“Not celebrity @jeopardy using Brian Laundrie as a clue for alligators.. that’s so distasteful and wrong could’ve used anything else for a clue,” another said, as several others chimed in.
“I’m kinda shocked that Jeopardy used Brian Laundrie, the murderer from FL, in a clue about alligators. I’m pretty sure they could have used better judgment and gotten that answer another way. Bad taste
@Jeopardy,” a user said, with another adding, “I absolutely agree. This question was poorly thought through and insensitive to the families of this tragedy.”
If you can recall, Petito and Laundrie made headlines back in 2021 after Petito was reported missing by her family. The two had been on a cross-country trip together, but by the time news surfaced of Petito’s disappearance, Laundrie was also missing. Several days later, on September 21st, Petito’s body was discovered, and her cause of death was ruled as strangulation. In October, Laundrie was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. In January 2022, police reported that a written confession was found near Laundrie’s remains.
Yikes, what the fuck was that clue referencing Brian Laundrie to get to the response of "alligator"?? So unnecessarily morbid. Could have said anything related to Florida and gotten there.#CelebrityJeopardy