Key Highlights:
Final Jeopardy: In a Jeopardy! episode that left both fans and contestants scratching their heads, the final question about a character named Boq stumped all three players, despite the answer being an easy guess for many at home. On Thursday’s episode, Mary Walheim, Alfred Wallace, and Bryce Wargin, the three contestants, were presented with a clue in the “Fictional Characters” category, but they all missed the mark. The final question read:
“Boq is one of these fictional people, ‘Not as big as the grown folk… but neither were they very small.’”
The Correct Answer: Munchkin
Despite a clear connection to “The Wizard of Oz” and Wicked, all three contestants guessed Lilliputians from Gulliver’s Travels. Walheim, who bet heavily on her incorrect guess, ended up with just a dollar in total winnings. Meanwhile, Wallace answered “Lili” (which was “almost Lilliputian”), and Wargin first wrote “Lilliputians”, but then changed his answer to “dwarves.”
However, the correct answer was Munchkin, referencing Boq, a character in both the book Wicked and the Broadway musical. The Munchkins, portrayed by the characters in Wicked, were small in stature but much larger than Lilliputians, making it an ideal fit for the clue.
Why the Contestants Missed the Answer
Fans at home, especially those who had recently watched Wicked or the iconic Wizard of Oz, instantly recognized the correct answer as Munchkin. Many took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their surprise, some posting:
- “How did NO ONE get this? BOQ = MUNCHKIN!!!”
- “My whole house shouted MUNCHKIN!”
- “How did all 3 contestants miss the easiest Final Jeopardy question? I screamed ‘MUNCHKIN!’”
The character Boq gained significant recognition in Wicked, a story that re-imagines the backstory of Elphaba, the Wicked Witch of the West. The movie adaptation of Wicked, released in 2024, featured Ethan Slater as Boq, which had a significant impact on its global popularity. It’s likely that recent exposure to Wicked made it easier for fans to identify the correct answer.
A Missed Opportunity for the Contestants
For those following Jeopardy! closely, the mix-up in Final Jeopardy was a surprising one, especially considering the connection to a popular and recent cultural hit. Many of the viewers who were familiar with the Munchkin reference felt the contestants had an easy opportunity to secure the win. However, it seems the contestants’ minds were clouded by their guesses, leading them down a different path entirely.
One of the biggest surprises came from Mary Walheim, who wagered a hefty amount on her incorrect answer. By the end of the round, she was left with only $1, highlighting the risky nature of betting in Final Jeopardy without proper confidence in your answer.
“Wicked” Connection and Popularity Surge
As noted earlier, Boq is a character featured in Wicked, a highly popular Broadway musical based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel. The musical has seen massive success, culminating in the release of the 2024 film Wicked, starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Since its release, Wicked has had widespread appeal, and many fans of the show were quick to recognize the connection between Boq and the Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz.
The Wicked movie adaptation also saw massive success, grossing $747.2 million worldwide, making it the highest-grossing musical film of all time. This significant success undoubtedly raised awareness about the characters and storyline, giving fans and viewers an immediate connection to the answer in Final Jeopardy.
A Fun Moment for Fans of Jeopardy and Pop Culture
In the end, the Jeopardy! question led to an interesting pop culture moment, where fans watching at home felt like they were on the same page, easily answering the question, while the contestants stumbled. This situation underscored how cultural context can shape answers and how Jeopardy! often tests players on their knowledge of a wide range of topics.
While the contestants left the game empty-handed, Wargin‘s total winnings for the day were still substantial, amounting to $70,199 after the Final Jeopardy blunder. For many, the real victory was in seeing Boq and Munchkin become the subject of much-needed pop culture conversation.
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