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Black Jeopardy with Tom Hanks
The setup
The premise
Here’s the bit.
Darnell Hayes welcomes Keeley, Shanice and a wary contestant named Doug to his quiz show. Doug’s answers reveal shared tastes and suspicions, turning an awkward introduction into an enthusiastic welcome. The contestants bond over everyday frustrations before the final category exposes a limit to their new rapport.
The funny people
Meet the cast. 4
Say it with us
Highly quotable.
Well, it was good while it lasted, Doug.
Behind the scenes
The people who made it.

Michael Che
Writer

Bryan Tucker
Writer
A little extra
Notes from the archive.
Tom Hanks later reprised Doug in the SNL50 edition of Black Jeopardy.
Script
Automatically generated script; wording may contain errors. Speaker labels are inferred.
- 00:01
Speaker 1
This is black jeopardy
- 00:03
Darnell Hayes
What up what up what up welcome to black jeopardy the only TV game show where the audience is in church clothes I'm your host Darnell Hayes. Our contestants are Keely.
- 00:20
Keeley
Hey
- 00:22
Darnell Hayes
Shanice,
- 00:23
Shanice
okay now
- 00:24
Darnell Hayes
and Doug
- 00:29
Doug
How are you doing sir?
- 00:30
Darnell Hayes
Oh Doug, you sure you ready to play black javelin?
- 00:36
Doug
They told me a fella can win some money, so let's win me some money. Get her done.
- 00:41
Darnell Hayes
Well, I admire your confidence. Let's see our categories. We got big girls. Mmm, I don't know. You better. I'm gonna pray on this. They out here saying, and there's always white people. Okay, Keely, you're our returning champ. You pick.
- 01:06
Keeley
Okay, let's do You Better for $200.
- 01:09
Darnell Hayes
Okay, the answer there, you need hot sauce, duck sauce, soy sauce, and safety pins. Keely.
- 01:16
Keeley
What is, you better take your ass to the kitchen and look in the packet drawer?
- 01:20
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, yeah, the packet drawer, yeah.
- 01:23
Doug
Yeah, every kitchen's got one, you know.
- 01:26
Keeley
Okay, let's stay with You Better for $400.
- 01:29
Darnell Hayes
Okay, the answer, your job wants to take $40 a month out of your check for a 401 . Shanice.
- 01:36
Shanice
What is, you better give me that money so I can buy me some scratch-offs?
- 01:39
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, you damn right. You damn right.
- 01:42
Shanice
I mean, why do I need a retirement plan when I got Monopoly Millionaire's Club?
- 01:46
Doug
Heck, I play that every week.
- 01:48
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, well, that's good for you. Okay. The board is yours, Shanice.
- 01:53
Shanice
Let's go with, they out there saying, for $200.
- 01:57
Darnell Hayes
Okay, LeAnza, they out here saying, the new iPhone wants your thumbprint for your protection. Oh, okay, then, Doug.
- 02:04
Doug
What is it? I don't think so. That's how they get you.
- 02:08
Darnell Hayes
Yes! Yes,
- 02:15
Keeley
I don't trust Dad.
- 02:17
Shanice
Me, either.
- 02:18
Doug
No, I read that goes straight to the government.
- 02:19
Darnell Hayes
Mm. Well, that is not bad, Doug. The board is yours.
- 02:26
Doug
Well, let's go over to... Mm, I don't know, for four.
- 02:31
Darnell Hayes
Okay, the answer there, he says his dog doesn't bite. Shanice.
- 02:36
Shanice
What is, mm, Mm, I don't know. He got teeth, don't he?
- 02:38
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, that's it. Anything with teeth, you know? Anything with teeth.
- 02:43
Shanice
Let's stick with, mm, I don't know, for six.
- 02:45
Darnell Hayes
Okay. Caitlyn Jenner says, she belongs on the cover of Essence magazine. Keely.
- 02:52
Keeley
What is, mm, I don't know. You can't do everything.
- 02:56
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, yeah, that's right. You know, I mean, there was a time.
- 02:59
Absolutely. There was a time. Oh, yeah, I remember, yeah.
- 03:06
Keeley
Okay, Let's go to They Out Here Sayin' for eight.
- 03:09
Darnell Hayes
Okay, the answer there, they out here saying that every vote counts. Oh, Doug again.
- 03:14
Doug
What is? Come on. They already decided who wins, even before it happens.
- 03:18
Darnell Hayes
Yes! That Yes! Yes! And the Illuminati figured out months ago. That's a number with the Dougs.
- 03:28
Doug
Okay, we're doing it. Let's try they out here saying for sex.
- 03:33
Darnell Hayes
Okay, they out here saying this movie doesn't deserve an Oscar. Keely.
- 03:39
Keeley
What is Tyler Perry's boo-a-madea Halloween?
- 03:42
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, absolutely. Absolutely. You know, when that man puts on a muumuu, I'm just transported.
- 03:48
Doug
You know, I got to tell you, I love those movies. I bought a box set at Walmart, and if I can laugh and pray in 90 minutes, that is money well spent.
- 03:58
Darnell Hayes
Oh, you know what, sir? I really appreciate you saying that. I like that. I really do.
- 04:01
Doug
Oh, no, no, I don't.
- 04:02
Darnell Hayes
It's all good.
- 04:03
Doug
Yeah, yeah, no, it's all good.
- 04:05
Darnell Hayes
It's all good. Trust me, it's all good.
- 04:07
Doug
Okay.
- 04:07
Darnell Hayes
Yeah.
- 04:08
Doug
Yeah, it's all good.
- 04:09
Darnell Hayes
Yeah. Okay. Okay. Keely is your pick.
- 04:16
Keeley
Let's go to YouBetterFor6.
- 04:19
Darnell Hayes
Okay, the answer. The mechanic says you owe $250 for new brake lines. Doug.
- 04:25
Doug
What is, you better go to that dude in my neighborhood who'll fix anything for $40.
- 04:28
Darnell Hayes
Why, you know Cecil?
- 04:30
Doug
Yeah, but my Cecil's name is Jim, and he fixed my refrigerator, my air conditioner, and my car.
- 04:34
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, yeah, everybody's got a guy. Well, you're all right, Doug. All right. Let's just take a moment and hear about today's prizes. Johnny?
- 04:46
Speaker 1
Thanks, Darnell. Today's Black Jeopardy winner will receive the Good Chair. Granddaddy needs somewhere to sit. Give him the Good Chair. And car tape, the best tape for fixing your car. Car tape. It's done. Back to you, Darnell.
- 05:00
Darnell Hayes
Well, Doug, I don't know what's going on, but the board is yours.
- 05:05
Doug
Well, thank you so much, Darnell. You people are fun. Can I say that? Is that okay? Can I say that?
- 05:12
Darnell Hayes
We'll give you a pass this time.
- 05:15
Doug
Okay, let's go to big girls for $200.
- 05:19
Darnell Hayes
Okay, and the answer there, skinny women can do this for you. Doug.
- 05:24
Doug
What is not a damn thing?
- 05:27
Darnell Hayes
You know, it goes, don't you? You know how it goes, don't you?
- 05:30
Doug
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, my wife, my wife, she's a sturdy gal.
- 05:39
Darnell Hayes
That is my man right there.
- 05:42
Yeah, go, Doug. Go, Doug. Go, Doug.
- 05:44
Darnell Hayes
Oh, oh, oh. The sound of the broom hitting the ceiling below us means that the party has to stop. But, uh, Doug, I have to say, it has been a pleasure.
- 05:57
Doug
Well, you know, right back at you, my brother.
- 06:00
Darnell Hayes
All right, well, let's take a look at our final Jeopardy! category, Lives That Matter.
- 06:11
Darnell Hayes
Well, it was good while it lasted, Doug.
- 06:15
Doug
I know, I got a lot to say about this.
- 06:17
Darnell Hayes
Yeah, I'm sure you do. When we come back, we'll play the national anthem and just see what the hell happens. We'll be right back.
The rabbit hole continues
One more couldn’t hurt.
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