‘Jeopardy!’ Season 40 Is in Question As Champions Pledge Solidarity With Writers on Strike

usmagazine.com:

Jeopardy!’s upcoming season is in question amid the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.Several alums who were slated to participate in the game show’s annual “Tournament of Champions” have announced that they will not take part in the competition if the WGA’s strike continues into the fall.Ray LaLonde, who has won 13 games of Jeopardy!, took to Reddit over the weekend to announce his decision to stand in solidarity with the show’s writers.“I am a lifelong devoted fan of Jeopardy!.

I am and will always be grateful for the experience I had on the show and the opportunity to participate in the [‘Tournament of Champions’] is beyond a dream come true for me,” LaLonde wrote. “As a supporter of the trade union movement, a union member’s son and a proud union member myself, I have informed the show’s producers that if the strike remains unresolved I will not cross a picket line to play in the tournament of champions.”LaLonde — who is a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) — also stated his belief that “the show’s writers are a vital part of the show” and are “justified” in taking action to “secure a fair contract for themselves and their fellow WGA members.”The Jeopardy!

champion shared his hope that speaking out might “encourage any others in the community who feel the same to speak out as well.” Shortly after LaLonde shared his decision, several other winners pledged to join him.“I stand with Ray!” six-time champion Troy Meyer commented on the post.In order to view the video, please allow Manage CookiesNine-game winner Ben Chan chimed in: “Ray, thank you for taking this stand.

If you are out, I am out.”Cris Pannullo and Hannah Wilson, for their part, both alluded to the fact