CATEGORIES IN JEOPARDY: ARGINUSAE IN ARISTOPHANES’ FROGS

Abstract

In October of 2016, less than two weeks before the election of Donald J. Trump to the White House, Saturday Night Live (SNL) aired a stunning installment of ‘Black Jeopardy!’, a recurring sketch hosted by Kenan Thompson as Darnell Hayes. In this episode, Keeley (Sasheer Zamata) and Shanice (Leslie Jones), two Black women, were joined by Tom Hanks as Doug, a white man and MAGA-hat wearing Trump supporter. Though Darnell is initially skeptical that Doug is prepared to play ‘Black Jeopardy!’ the four bond over their shared appreciation for ‘big girls’, lottery tickets, and Tyler Perry movies, and their aversion to dogs, corporations, and the government. At one point, Darnell approaches Doug for a handshake; at first taken aback (and literally stepping back), Doug then gratefully clasps the other man's hand. The sketch ends when a new category is announced, ‘Lives That Matter’, and the fragile bonds between Doug, Darnell, and the other contestants begin to fray. Doug announces that he ‘has a lot to say’ about the category. ‘Well, it was good while it lasted’, Darnell replies.