In a surprising turn of events, the season three premiere of Celebrity Jeopardy! witnessed all three contestants failing to recognize Usher's iconic hit "Yeah!" during the Triple Jeopardy round. The question, categorized under “2004, What a Year!,” asked about a song that dominated the charts for 12 weeks. Despite its cultural and commercial significance, none of the participants could correctly identify it. This incident sparked discussions about the enduring legacy of Usher’s music and the unexpected twists that can occur on live television.
A Golden Era Forgotten?
In the autumn of 2023, the highly anticipated season three premiere of Celebrity Jeopardy! unfolded with an unexpected twist. During the Triple Jeopardy round, a pivotal question emerged from the category “2004, What a Year!” Participants were asked to identify a Usher song that held the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for an impressive 12 consecutive weeks. Max Greenfield, known for his role in New Girl, was the first to respond, guessing a different Usher track from 2005. Camilla Luddington, who stars in Grey’s Anatomy, followed suit with another incorrect answer. W. Kamau Bell, host of United Shades of America, opted not to answer, later humorously reflecting on feeling out of place as a Black individual who didn’t know the Usher song.
The song in question, “Yeah!,” featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, was released in January 2004. It became an instant sensation, both culturally and commercially. The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 straight weeks and remained on the chart for 45 weeks. It also ranked second on Billboard’s Hot 100 Songs of the Decade (2000–2009), right behind Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.” “Yeah!” served as the lead single from Usher’s fourth studio album, Confessions, which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and sold over 10 million copies in the U.S., earning diamond certification from the RIAA. The track won a Grammy Award for Best Rap/Sung Collaboration and received critical acclaim for blending crunk and R&B.
Globally, “Yeah!” achieved remarkable success, topping charts in more than 12 countries and earning platinum certifications in several markets. In 2024, it reached a milestone with a 13× platinum certification by the RIAA, reflecting 13 million units sold in the U.S. Its resurgence in popularity was further fueled by Usher’s 2024 Super Bowl halftime show performance, which drew 129.3 million viewers and caused a 550% increase in overall Spotify streams. Later in the game, Bell redeemed himself by correctly answering a question about N.W.A.’s historic chart achievements.
From a journalist’s perspective, this event highlights the fleeting nature of pop culture memory. While “Yeah!” remains a significant part of musical history, its momentary forgetfulness on national television underscores how quickly trends and popular knowledge can shift. It serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving and appreciating cultural milestones, even as new generations emerge and evolve.