Vote For Trans "Jeopardy!" Champ Catherine Ramen In Game Show's Battle Of The Decades Tournament
Jeopardy!, considered by many (or at least us) to be the greatest game show of all time, is bringing back its best champions for a Battle of the Decades tournament to celebrate the show's 30th anniversary with Alex Trebek behind the podium. Forty-five players will compete -- that's 15 from each decade -- and 42 have already been selected.
Now, Jeopardy! producers are letting viewers pick the final three combatants. Since voting has closed on the '80s players, it's time for '90s vets to get their shot. Though the other four "Fan Favorite" candidates are fearsome, we're placing our vote on Catherine Ramen, a five-time champion who is droll, cool, and a trans woman.
In her original appearances on the show she went by the name Fred Ramen, but now the trans author and Guardian contributor is back for an important reason: "to win a boatload of cash." Here's Ramen's argument for why she deserves your vote:
"I was one of the youngest five-time champions (just 25 in 1997) and since then I've learned and experienced so much--I am a much stronger person and contestant nowadays. Oh, and I blew my trip to the 3rd round of [2005's Ultimate Tournament of Champions] on a math error; I'd dearly like to redeem that mistake. Of course, I could be a role-model for an under-represented minority on Jeopardy. I am, of course, talking about redheads. Ginger power, baby! Kidding aside, while I don't like to talk too much publicly about my experiences as a trans woman, I'd obviously be greatly honored to have a chance to represent my community, and other LGBT people, on Jeopardy. Plus, I'm funny as all get out, smart as a whip, and really really REALLY want another chance. What's not to love?"
And if you require a video plea, one is available:
Sold. Voting is over at the beginning of next week. Pick Catherine now!
If you're trying to remember Ramen from her original appearances, here's a photo from the first Tournament of Champions in which she participated.
(And just to reassure you: There is at least one LGBT candidate already selected for the tournament. Five-time champ Claudia Perry, a booming dynamo with the buzzer, describes herself on Twitter as a "proud bi Negress." Yes to her.)
