Ike Barinholtz, Simu Liu and Iliza Shlesinger faced off in the first semi-final competition of Celebrity Jeopardy!Sunday. While the match for charity was friendly and filled with laughs, there were a few awkward moments, starting with a question regarding ethnicity.
The clue was: “October is the history month for this Asian-American ethnic group that includes Olivia Rodrigo and Jo Koy.”
Barinholtz replied, “What are Filipinos?”
While host Mayim Bialik awarded Barinholtz the money, Liu immediately pointed out the odd way Barinholtz phrased his answer, since he used the word “what” instead of “who.”
“What do you mean, ‘What are Filipinos?’” Liu asked. “What do you mean by that, Ike?”
“Oh my God, that’s not what I meant,” Barinholtz stammered in response. “You have to answer in the form of a question.”
Liu turned to the other contestant Iliza Shlesinger and asked, “Did you hear him? I heard him.”
The most common social reaction from viewers was positive, as most people saw that it was just good-natured ribbing and laughed along. That being said, Liu was playing for the charity Stop AAPI Hate. He stated that, as an Asian, he is “deeply passionate” regarding stamping out racism.
Some viewers of AAPI descent appreciated Liu’s response, even if it was in a comedic fashion. He also managed to raise an additional $50,000 in donations for his charity while getting a few laughs along the way.
The laughs kept coming, as later in the game the celebrities were asked, “This battery mascot that’s been going and going since the late 1980s has entered the Oxford English Dictionary to mean something or someone persistent.”
“Who is the Duracell Rabbit?” comedian Iliza Shlesinger responded.
The correct answer was the Energizer Bunny. Shlesinger was so upset by her response that she wouldn’t let it go.
“Duracell?” she exclaimed. “The Duracell Rabbit? Am I from Mars? Who has even said ‘Duracell’ in the last decade?”
And much like the Energizer Bunny, Shelesinger’s reaction kept going… and going… and going, even when everyone else was ready to move on.
Before Mayim might give the next clue for “Brain Surgeon’s Terminology,” Shlesinger shouted, “Oh! I need brain surgery!”
Celebrity Jeopardy! airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on ABC.
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