Entertainment

'Delighted and relieved': Canadians are back on the board for Jeopardy

Canadians who have been trying to get on Jeopardy have a fighting chance again of appearing on the popular game show.

Privacy laws were cited as the reason for a temporary ban, but host Alex Trebek promised change

Canadian host of Jeopardy Alex Trebek had said he expected the rules to once again allow Canadians on the show by the end of the summer. (Ben Hider/Getty Images)

Canadians who have been trying to get on Jeopardy have a fighting chance again of appearing on the popular game show.

According to the contestant FAQ section on the game show's website, "Canadians are eligible" again to take the qualifying online test. The change took effect Sept. 12.

The show, hosted by Canadian Alex Trebek, stopped accepting Canadian applications in February, blaming the country's updated privacy laws. 

Chuck Smith, who lives in Toronto, is hoping to get on Jeopardy, now that Canadians are eligible again.
Chuck Smith, originally from Newfoundland and now living in Toronto, has been trying to get on the show since 2011.

"I felt delighted and relieved when I found out I was once again eligible to take the test to appear on the show," said Smith.

Trebek, who was born in Canada, promised change would come by the end of the summer after he met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Ottawa earlier this year and also received a key to the city.

An email response to CBC News from the Jeopardy team Wednesday regarding the updated rules said: "Canadians were always allowed to play on the show and were represented throughout last season. There was never a 'ban.'"

Wrong answer Jeopardy, but there's another round to make up for it — especially if Smith gets through.

"I don't think I've ever seen a Newfoundlander compete on the show, so I'd love the chance to show those Americans what we're made of," said Smith.