A recent episode of the television quiz show Jeopardy! featured a clue related to Gordon Lightfoot’s iconic song “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald,” which contained an error regarding the song’s reference to Whitefish Bay. This mistake was identified by vigilant viewers during the episode that aired on January 2, 2023, as part of the show’s Second Chance Tournament for the Tournament of Champions.
In the category “That Place Sounds Fishy,” the $1,600 clue incorrectly described the location associated with the song’s lyrics. The clue read, “This song includes ‘The searchers all say they’d have made Whitefish Bay (Wisconsin) if they’d put 15 more miles behind her.'” Contestant Ryan Sharpe, who won the game and advanced to the wildcard round, correctly identified the song as “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald.”
The song, which spent 21 weeks on the Billboard charts in 1976, has cemented the narrative of the shipwreck in popular culture. Notably, the song references Whitefish Bay in relation to a tragic maritime event. While the clue specified the location as being in Wisconsin, it overlooks the fact that Whitefish Bay is also located in Michigan, specifically in the Upper Peninsula.
According to USA Today, the Edmund Fitzgerald sank on November 10, 1975, during its final voyage, approximately 17 miles northwest of Whitefish Point, Michigan, which serves as the entrance to Whitefish Bay. This oversight has sparked discussions among fans of the show, particularly those from Michigan, who took to social media to express their disappointment regarding the inaccurate clue.
In the aftermath of the broadcast, inquiries were made to Jeopardy! regarding the error, but no response has been received as of yet. The song, initially dismissed by Lightfoot as “filler,” turned out to be one of his most successful pieces, illustrating the deep connection between music and cultural memory.
As this incident highlights, even well-established programs like Jeopardy! are not immune to mistakes, reminding viewers of the importance of accuracy in media representations of historical events. The ongoing conversation surrounding this clue reflects not only a passion for trivia but also a commitment to preserving the legacy of the Edmund Fitzgerald and its storied history.
