Editor’s Note: The following was posted as the 2021 April Fool’s post and is retained on the website for the sake of posterity.
Editor’s Note #2: Amazingly, this April Fool’s Joke from 2021 became mostly real on August 7, 2023.
The consolation prizes are being increased as of the start of Season 38, The Jeopardy! Fan has learned.
Instead of the $2,000 and $1,000 that have been in effect since May 2002, consolation prizes are being increased to $5,000 for second, and $3,000 for third.
The prizes will still be sponsored by GEICO.
“Contestants and fans alike have been asking the show for this more than anything else,” executive producer Mike Richards said. “After the fallout from Dr. Oz being named a guest host, it’s only fair that we give something back. Hopefully this will make it less arduous for contestants to appear on the show, and players will be more likely to play the game in a more exciting and aggressive fashion.”
More information about this change can be found in the leftmost category of the Jeopardy! round of today’s episode. Failing that, a check of the the dateline of this article should provide more information.
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At least they acknowledged the backlash over letting that con artist sit behind Alex’s lectern.
As for increasing the consolation prizes, it’s a change that’s been overdue.
Well, at least they had a great way to fool me. Still, it’s a change I wouldn’t have minded. And I wouldn’t be surprised if Sony realized they made a mistake hiring ol’ Mehmet.
And I also read that Wheel of Fortune was having a Buy 1 Get 1 Sale on vowels today – while supplies last.
In all seriousness, it is about time for them to increase the consolation prizes. Perhaps not to these amounts, but $3,000/$1,500 would at least all but guarantee travel expenses are covered with airfare. I expect high prices post-Covid. I played Season 37 with mostly locals, and since we only had one flier, the consolations were almost pure profit. 100% profit for me, since I paid for my hotel w/ points. It does take the edge off a bit. You could invest in wardrobe, for both the show and the return to the office, with a few extra quarantine lbs.