'Jeopardy!' no longer taking Canadian contestants

[mvcg66b3r]

Of all the things for the Internet to be outraged about today, we couldn’t have guessed this answer with a million questions and a quick buzzer thumb.

A recent rule preventing Canadians from trying out for the hit game show “Jeopardy!” has been making the rounds Monday morning — and making waves across the Web.

“At this time we are precluded from accepting registration information from Canadian residents,” a statement on the show’s FAQ page states. “We are currently evaluating this matter.”

The problem appears to be with the Canadian Anti-Spam Legislation, or CASL.

As the National Post explains it: The 2014 legislation bans “unsolicited commercial email, the installation of software without consent, deceptive online marketing, harvesting email addresses in bulk and collecting personal details with spyware.”

In the ultimate of ironies, “Jeopardy’s” iconic host, Alex Trebek, is from Greater Sudbury, Canada.

http://www.thewrap.com/jeopardy-canadian-contestants-alex-trebek-sony-television/

 

[FreddyE1977]

I know Canada has laws that game shows that offer a prize must incorporate some element of skill into the game. Jeopardy would certainly seem to qualify.

 

[Gregg.]

I've read this may be temporary. Jeopardy has long welcomed Canadian contestants and it has plenty of stations north of the border running it. I've seen Canadian contestants on The Price Is Right, too.

But not all game shows invite Canadians, even ones syndicated into Canada from the U.S. I had been a contestant on the syndicated daytime Who Wants To Be A Millionaire (Meredith Vieira edition) and won $16,000 some years ago. I encouraged a Canadian friend of mine, a smart guy, to do the same. But he said he already went to the website and found only U.S. citizens are welcomed. That's even though plenty of Canadian stations carry it.

 

[FreddyE1977]

I had a friend (since deceased) who was also a contestant on Millionaire.
She flamed out on the second question. I knew the answer.
She should have used her lifeline to call me.

 

[blackgold]

Yes, according to Canadian laws, contest winners must pass a time limited skill testing question in order to claim a prize. And many contests are void in Quebec due to registration and dispute issues.

 

[mvcg66b3r]

Yes, according to Canadian laws, contest winners must pass a time limited skill testing question in order to claim a prize.

And that's only for games of "pure chance" (random drawings, instant wins, etc.).

 

[vchimpanzee]

"Jeopardy" recently had a contestant from Canada, so if this is true, I must have missed the part about how he moved to the United States before he applied to be a contestant. I'm not saying that was the reason. I'm just saying like Alex, he used to live in Canada.

 

[vchimpanzee]

A rerun that aired Saturday had a contestant who was definitely from Canada because Alex explained he would have to do something different than the others when he paid his taxes.

 

[Silkie]

Canada says it is complying with international law as it pertains to Internet privacy. Makes ya feel kinda warm and fuzzy all over, huh?

 

[mvcg66b3r]

Your long, national nightmare is over, Canada:

To all our fans in Canada,

We are actively in the process of bringing our online test site into compliance with all Canadian online privacy laws and as soon as all issues have been addressed – later this year – we plan to host an online test and follow-up auditions with a focus on Canada.

You’ll hear more about this, and I hope that when the time comes, you’ll try out. Stay tuned.

- Alex Trebek

https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/news/canadians-on-jeopardy-update