A JEOPARDY! producer has clued fans in on their policy for allowing contestants like Grant DeYoung to sit while competing. As of Friday, the grocery clerk from Arizona had amassed three wins and $67,202 in total while noticeably in a chair for his games. Grant has been going strong since defeating three-day champ Will Newton last week.
On Monday, he faces Ivvone Zhou and Greg Meller for his fourth win, all but qualifying him for the next Tournament of Champions. However, fans can't help but clamor about how Jeopardy!'s latest big winner is competing sitting in a chair instead of standing. Grant sits in a black swivel chair with silver armrests and full back support, adjusted to the same height as his standing opponents.
It's rare to see a contestant sit, and the choice has not been addressed on stage or mentioned on the show's website. Producer Sarah Whitcomb Foss spoke about Grant on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast on Monday. “Fans have been noticing that Grant is sitting in a chair during his games," she said.
“This is something that we always offer to contestants. "We don’t ask why; it’s not our business," she added. “If you want a chair, we’ll give it to you.
" The producer then read a statement Grant made on Reddit explaining that he has back arthritis, which makes standing difficult for long periods of time. "So there you have it!” she added. Foss, joined by former champion Buzzy Cohen, pivoted on the podcast to discuss Grant's winning streak overall.
“Grant.