Why Jeopardy Fans and Nearly 600 Contestants Criticize Dr Oz As Guest Host

While fans and alumni reacted differently to each of the guest hosts who tried to stand in the massive shadow of Alex Trebek as host of the iconic game show “Danger!” none aroused the strong reaction like the last, Dr Mehmet Oz.

The Day Host found himself the subject of a lot of anger online from fans, but the outrage began long before he appeared. In fact, it’s been roughly a month since nearly 600 former contestants wrote a letter to executive producer Mike Richards expressing their frustration, which was posted on Way.

While praising the diversity represented by guest hosts, including Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper, Mayim Bialik, Aaron Rodgers and Dr. Sanjay Gupta, the group quickly condemned Oz’s inclusion in this high group, writing that he “opposes all that” Jeopardy! “means.” TooFab has reached out to reps for Oz and the show for comment.

“Throughout his nearly two decades on television, he has used his authority as a physician to push harmful ideas about the American public, in stark contrast to his do-no-harm pledge,” 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, more recently, the use of hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for COVID -19, ”the letter continued. “None of these things are backed up by scientific fact and by promoting them he is actively putting his viewers at risk.”

The Los Angeles Times confirms that a 2014 study verified that only about a third of Oz’s claims were supported by medical evidence (based on a sampling period in 2013).

“In fact, his ideas are so dangerous that thousands of his colleagues have called for his dismissal from his post at Columbia Medical School,” the letter continued. Again, the Times refers to a 2015 petition from several Oz colleagues at Columbia seeking to have him removed from his professorship, where he currently sits as director of his Center for Integrative Medicine.

At the time, Oz said IS! News, “I bring the public information that will help them on their way to be the best in themselves. We provide multiple perspectives, including mine which is offered without conflict of interest. It doesn’t fit well with some agendas that distort the facts. “

“Dr. Oz represents what has become a dubious trend in America: the elevation of the accredited talking head at the expense of academic rigor and consensus,” the candidates wrote.

The letter then asked Richards, “What kind of message does this send to LGBTQ + and autistic candidates and ‘Jeopardy!’ Viewers?”

Additionally, they spoke of the “incredibly rigorous” work that goes into the show itself, to ensure the accuracy of its answers and questions. “We have seen writers and judges frantically cross over the answers in real time to make sure the facts are correct,” they write. “Then inviting Dr. Oz as a guest host is a slap in the face for everyone involved.”

Social media fans are calling and participating in a two-week boycott of the show while Oz anime, hoping to message Richards and other producers about what they think of its inclusion as a guest host while the show tries to find a permanent replacement.

Dr. Oz kicked off his two week run as host of “Jeopardy!” Monday, after two weeks led by Katie Couric. Former “Celebrity Jeopardy!” Aaron Rodgers, champion and quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, takes over from April 5.