Celebrity
Usher's Iconic Hit Stumps Celebrity Contestants on Jeopardy Premiere
2025-01-09

In a surprising turn of events during the season 3 premiere of Celebrity Jeopardy, none of the three contestants managed to correctly identify Usher’s chart-topping hit “Yeah!” from 2004. The question appeared in the Triple Jeopardy round under the category "2004, What a Year!" This oversight was just one of several moments where the trio struggled with pop culture and historical knowledge. Despite this, comedian W. Kamau Bell later redeemed himself by acing a clue about an influential rap group.

The Unforgettable Usher Question

The opening round presented a challenge that left all three contestants puzzled. When asked about a song by Usher that dominated the charts for 12 weeks in 2004, Max Greenfield, Camilla Luddington, and W. Kamau Bell each faltered. Greenfield guessed incorrectly, losing $1,500, while Luddington followed suit, also missing the mark. Bell chose not to guess, avoiding financial loss but jokingly noting his discomfort as a Black contestant who didn’t know the answer.

The prompt referred to Usher’s “Yeah!,” which became the second-biggest song of the decade after Mariah Carey’s “We Belong Together.” Released in January 2004, it featured Ludacris and Lil Jon and remained on the Billboard Hot 100 for 45 weeks. The song marked a significant milestone in Usher’s career, solidifying his status as a music icon. The contestants' inability to recognize this pivotal track highlighted a disconnect between their knowledge and the cultural impact of the song.

Bell's Redemption and Other Challenges

Despite the initial setback, Bell found an opportunity to redeem himself later in the game. In a category focusing on crossword puzzle answers, he correctly identified NWA as the first hardcore rap group to top the Billboard charts. This success earned him $1,200 and restored some confidence. Host Ken Jennings acknowledged Bell’s improved performance, noting his comfort zone shift from pop music to hip-hop history.

The episode revealed additional struggles for the contestants. They failed to recognize John Legend’s “All of Me,” missed identifying Eleanor Roosevelt as the longest-serving First Lady, couldn’t name the primary object in Grant Wood’s American Gothic, and were unable to recall the titles of novels like Where the Crawdads Sing or Cat’s Cradle. These oversights underscored the breadth of knowledge required to excel on the show. Ultimately, Bell emerged victorious, advancing to the semi-final round with a total of $11,009. The episode showcased both the challenges and triumphs faced by celebrity contestants, setting the stage for an engaging new season of Celebrity Jeopardy.

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