Jeopardy!'s "What Women Want" Category Under Fire for Being Sexist, Promoting Gender Stereotypes

Game show under fire after suggesting females desire simplistic things like tea and Pilates rather than gender equality and reproductive rights

By Rebecca Macatee Oct 01, 2014 2:21 PMTags

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A game show that, in 2014, shouldn't perpetuate sexist stereotypes from the '50s....What is Jeopardy!?

Actually, a lot of people are asking just that after the famed trivia program featured a controversial "What Woman Want" category on Monday's show.

Instead of things like equal pay, reproductive rights and more females in leadership positions, Jeopardy! suggested women largely want well-fitting jeans, help with household chores, Pilates and tea—yes, seriously.

In a Jeopardy! clip featured on Today, Alex Trebek unflinchingly read off these inane descriptions and panelists buzzed in with the predictable, stereotypical answers. (Jeopardy! reps did not immediately respond to Today's request for comment.)

Social media lit up with women and men up in arms over the simplistic and sexist category gaffe. Chicago P.D's Sophia Bush took to Twitter to express her disdain for the offensive topic.

"I can't believe that," exclaimed Today's Natalie Morales. "How did that get past everybody in the room who thought that was a good idea?"

"Yeah, you'd have thought somebody would've caught that," agreed Matt Lauer.

Fittingly enough, female contestant Elisa Korn beat her male opponents Monday, taking home $26,400 in winnings from the show.

(E! and NBC are both part of the NBCUniversal family.)