For those raised in homes where Jeopardy! was a daily viewing ritual, the show is much more than a quiz program; it’s a part of family life. Whether it was shouting out “Animal Farm” or “The Galapagos!” during dinner, the show has been a fixture in American living rooms for six decades, offering a unique blend of entertainment and education.

Now, imagine you’re not well-versed in science or math but know every detail about ’90s pop bands or Tilda Swinton’s entire acting career. That’s where Pop Culture Jeopardy! comes into play. This new version is a part of the Jeopardy! franchise, now testing 81 teams on everything from Alternative Rock to The Avengers, Broadway to MMA, and Gen Z to Zendaya. Hosted by Prime Video, this tournament-style trivia contest boasts a grand prize of $300,000 and the chance for ultimate bragging rights. The show kicked off on December 4, releasing episodes in clusters of three weekly, totaling 40 episodes.

This isn’t the franchise’s first attempt at reaching a broader audience. Previously, there was Sports Jeopardy! on Crackle and Rock & Roll Jeopardy! on VH1. Plus, Celebrity Jeopardy! still airs on ABC, featuring celebrities like Patton Oswalt and Joel Kim Booster. However, Pop Culture Jeopardy! aims even more directly at a general audience, focusing on trendy, online culture rather than traditional academic subjects. Colin Jost, the host, humorously notes that this version is for those frustrated when traditional contestants miss pop culture references.

However, the depth of geekiness that could have been explored through niche cultural trivia has been overlooked in favor of more general pop culture moments like memes, TikTok trends, and widely known TV show references. The show’s focus on recent pop culture seems designed to attract a younger, more digitally-savvy audience, which may not resonate with long-time fans of the original format.

The introduction of teams and playful team names adds a casual, almost game-night atmosphere, which diverges significantly from the traditional, intellectual tone of the original Jeopardy!. The new “Triple Play” feature, requiring correct answers to three related questions, and the noticeable absence of audio or video clues, also mark a significant shift from the classic format.

It’s rare to find mainstream platforms that treat pop culture with a serious tone. Today’s media often leans towards fleeting, lightweight content. By treating film and television trivia as trivial, Pop Culture Jeopardy! does little to elevate the discourse around these mediums, often considered less prestigious than traditional forms of art like literature or opera.

In a discussion with The Ringer, Jost mentioned his preparation for the show by watching classic Jeopardy! episodes, recognizing that the game itself should be the star. However, the new Pop Culture Jeopardy! seems cluttered with unnecessary elements that detract from the simple brilliance of the original quiz format.

While viewers might tune in casually for a few episodes, it’s unlikely that Pop Culture Jeopardy! will become a cherished family tradition like its predecessor. The question remains: Will future generations grow up in Pop Culture Jeopardy! households? Chances are slim, and for those of us keen on “real” trivia, that might just be a relief.