Over 500 former Jeopardy contestants have signed a petition calling for the removal of Dr. Mehmet Oz as guest host.
Last month, an open letter was addressed to the show’s executive producer Mike Richards urging him to reconsider having Dr. Oz fill in as guest host. On Monday, Oz started his hosting stint.
“Jeopardy! is a show that values facts and knowledge. Throughout his nearly two decades on television he has used his authority as a doctor to push harmful ideas onto the American public, in stark contrast with his oath to first do no harm,” the letter reads. “These ideas include promoting supplements that do nothing, legitimizing gay conversion therapy (which is banned in California, as well as 19 other states), dangerous ‘cures’ for autism, and, most recently, the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID-19.”
The letter concludes by saying that enlisting someone who has utilized his platform to spew unfounded and possibly dangerous medical advice is a “slap in the face,” especially for a TV show that was built on ensuring that facts are accurate. Even though these contestants and winners warned of the backlash that would come from moving forward with Jeopardy’s decision, the response to Oz’s first appearance last night was quite negative, with some even starting the hashtag #BoycottJeopardy.
Dr. Oz will be serving as guest host until April 2.
