The new Amazon Prime spinoff "Pop Culture Jeopardy!" is facing harsh criticism from viewers just days after its premiere, with many fans expressing disappointment in the show's format and entertainment value.
The reimagined version, hosted by Saturday Night Live's Colin Jost, introduces several changes to the classic game show formula. Instead of individual contestants, teams of three compete against each other, tackling categories focused exclusively on entertainment, sports, and viral content. The show also features new "Triple Play" segments alongside traditional Daily Doubles.
Early viewer reactions have been notably negative, with fans taking to social media to voice their concerns. "Pop Culture Jeopardy! is already off to a bad start," wrote one Reddit user, while another commented on growing disinterest: "By the third episode I just felt kind of bored with the whole thing."
The show encountered controversy during its second episode when a contested answer sparked debate. A clue about a Paul Rudd film led to confusion when contestant Rob's answer "My Idiot Brother" was ruled incorrect in favor of "Our Idiot Brother." Rob, an entertainment writer, later proved both titles were technically accurate, as the film had originally premiered at Sundance under his stated name.
Despite the overall criticism, host Colin Jost has received praise for his performance, with some viewers suggesting he deserves consideration for hosting duties on the main show. This positive feedback comes as new episodes continue to release weekly on Amazon Prime.
The lukewarm reception raises questions about the long-term viability of this latest addition to the Jeopardy! franchise, as viewers appear resistant to the dramatic format changes and narrowed focus on pop culture content.