Jeopardy! producer exposes little-known show rule after contestants’ rare move

Jeopardy! fans were very confused after a recent contestant made a rare move on air, but one of the show’s producers explained it.

Jeopardy!’s producer cleared something up for fans after they spotted something puzzling during a recent game.

Producer Sarah Whitcomb revealed a little-known rule about the hit NBC show after fans noticed contestant Grant DeYoung’s rare move.

DeYoung, an Arizona native who amassed four wins and $81,203, was seen sitting down behind the podium instead of standing – leaving many fans curious

Being seated in a chair is a rarity on the show, with most competitors choosing to stand behind their podiums.

However, Whitcomb quickly cleared up the confusion during an appearance on the podcast Inside Jeopardy!

Jeopardy! contestants on the show.

Jeopardy! fans wondered why a contestant was sat behind the podium. (Image: NBC

Click here to follow Daily Express US on Google News to stay up to date with all the latest US, showbiz, and sports news.

She had a simple explanation: all contestants have the option.

“Fans have been noticing that Grant is sitting in a chair during his games. This is something that we always offer to contestants,” she shared.

Whitcomb added: “We don’t ask why. It’s not our business. If you want a chair, we’ll give it to you… So there you have it!”

DeYoung was sitting on a black swivel chair that was adjusted to the same standing height as the others, allowing him to see over the podium.

In the Jeopardy! subreddit from last week, a curious viewer asked why he was in the chair – and DeYoung himself answered

Jeopardy! contestants.

A Jeopardy! contestant choice to sit during the game. (Image: NBC)

“They give it if you ask – I have some back arthritis that makes standing still for that long very difficult,” he explained in a comment in the discussion thread.

“I wouldn’t expect everyone who sits for Jeopardy! to disclose their reason for needing one but I don’t mind saying mine.”

Last week, DeYoung revealed he was hit by a car after learning he had made it onto the hit game show.

The grocery clerk from Arizona told host Ken Jennings that he was involved in a road traffic accident at the exact moment he received a text message confirming his casting.

“I got off work and got in the car and pulled my phone out and it was sinking in,” he recalled on Wednesday night’s episode. “I’m on the verge of tears there staring down at it, and I got hit and ran…”

A shocked Jennings asked: “A car hit you while you were getting the text?”

“I had people coming up to me after [saying]: ‘Are you aware you just got your car hit?’ and I was like ‘no’ holding my phone and staring at the message.”

Jennings then asked whether he was doing okay after the incident.

“The car needs some work but I’m certainly fine, thank you,” DeYoung said.