'Jeopardy!' apologizes after viewers speak out about 'inaccurate' medical clue

Elise Brisco, USA TODAY
·2 min read
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Long-running quiz show "Jeopardy!" is apologizing for a clue it later described as "outdated" and "inaccurate."

During Monday's episode, with guest host Savannah Guthrie, a $600 dollar clue was read about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS).

"Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome is also known as Grinch syndrome because this organ is too small," Guthrie read.

The answer was the heart.

POTS is a blood circulation disorder characterized by "specific symptoms and the exaggerated increase in heart rate when standing" and affects around 1 to 3 million Americans, according to Johns Hopkins. It also notes that "the structure of the heart itself is normal."

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After the show aired, many viewers familiar with the condition criticized the clue on social media.

"Not cool @Jeopardy Not once have I referred to this syndrome as the Grinch Syndrome," one user wrote. "Thanks for bringing inaccurate awareness to something I struggle with. Please never call this the Grinch Syndrome ever again."

Dysautonomia International, a non-profit organization focused on raising money to support research for autonomic nervous system disorders, shared the clue on Twitter and called the term "misogynistic" and "offensive."

"Can you imagine Jeopardy making light of cancer or MS patients with a "funny" name for their debilitating health condition? Not acceptable. We'd love to see real questions about the autonomic nervous system," the organization wrote, while also requesting an apology from the show.

On Tuesday, the show did issue an apology.

"Yesterday’s program included a clue about postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)," the official "Jeopardy!" account wrote. "After hearing from the community, we found we used an outdated and inaccurate term for this disorder, and we apologize."

Dysautonomia International responded: "We accept your apology and appreciate that you were willing to listen to our patient community."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Jeopardy!' apologizes for 'outdated' clue on medical condition POTS