A recent Jeopardy! answer from a contestant is dividing fans in a big way, especially those in the Detroit area. So, what did a contestant say that has fans losing their minds?
Jeopardy!: It All Came Down To A Hot Dog Technicality
Jeopardy! is one of the few game shows out there that makes contestants and viewers think. While a lot of game shows may rely on things like physical strength and endurance to outlast opponents, this show is all about using your brain to best your opponents.
Every once in a while, because Jeopardy! is so knowledge-specific, the difference between winning and losing often comes down to the smallest of technicalities. In recent scenes, it was all about a hot dog, and the response a participant gave has inspired a heated debate among viewers.
Fans Divided By Contestant’s ‘Hot Dog’ Answer
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Under the category of “City Slang,” the answer was as follows: “Order a Coney Island at Detroit’s finer eateries, and you’ll get this.”
In response, contestant Adriana Harmeyer said: “What is a hot dog?”
Initially, her response wasn’t descriptive enough. However, after some clarification to “chili dog,” she was eventually awarded points for the correct answer. At the time of filming that episode, Harmeyer was in the middle of an impressive winning streak. So, it makes sense that she wanted to continue to build upon the momentum that she had going in her favor.
Hot Dog Response Inspires Spirited Debate Among Jeopardy! Fans
Jeopardy fans are outraged after a contestant’s incorrect answer about Detroit-style hot dogs was accepted.
Adriana Harmeyer said a "Coney Island" was a "chili dog," but fans argue a true Detroit Coney has a unique meat sauce, not chili. pic.twitter.com/nFQnlMWEJR
— BoreCure (@CureBore) June 7, 2024
Following Adriana Harmeyer’s Jeopardy! answer, this sparked some heated debate among hot dog enthusiasts, particularly those who live in Detroit and the surrounding areas. Jeopardy! is a show where splitting hairs matters in terms of clarification, and this debate among viewers is a classic example of that.
According to Visit Detroit, a Coney Island dog is not your average hot dog. The website states: “Coney Island dogs usually have a beef frank on a steamed bun. Then it’s topped with meat (no beans) chili, diced white onions, and mustard.”
- This answer also inspired some fiery debate among Jeopardy! fans. One commenter said: “A Detroit coney does not have chili on it! It is a specific meat sauce that is not chili.”
- However, even among locals, there is spirited debate relating to what constitutes a proper coney. Another commenter said: “I’m from Detroit and I’ve always called it chili. A quick Google search of Detroit coney ingredients calls it chili.”
When even Detroit locals cannot agree on a universal definition of what makes a Detroit Coney a Detroit Coney, it makes more sense why Jeopardy! contestant Adriana Harmeyer scored the points in the end, as the hot dog debate carries on long after that segment aired.
