At Daytime Emmys, ‘Jeopardy!’ pays tribute to contestant Cindy Stowell, who died of cancer
DURING the mostly lighthearted Daytime Emmy Awards on Sunday, there was one very emotional moment: When “Jeopardy!” picked up the trophy for outstanding game show, executive producer Harry Friedman devoted his speech to Cindy Stowell, the 41-year- old contestant who died last year.
Stowell, a science content developer from Austin, Texas, was battling Stage 4 colon cancer when she filmed her appearance on the show in August and September 2016. She won six games in a row and earned more than US$ 100,000 in prize money, which she donated to cancer research. She died a week before the episodes were televised in December. At the end of her final appearance, host Alex Trebek delivered an emotional tribute on-air, and her story went viral.
On Sunday, Friedman took the stage and briefly explained how Stowell ended up on the show. Her dream was to appear on “Jeopardy!” When she aced the online “Jeopardy!” test and made it to the in-person auditions in Oklahoma City last year, she told the producers that if she was selected for the show, she would have to appear soon — because she only had a few months to live.
“She not only appeared, but she knocked it out of the park,” Friedman said, adding that Stowell won “in the face of overwhelming odds.” ( She developed a high fever and blood infection during filming.) “In her condition and knowing the treatment she was going through, we learned a lesson in courage and determination from Cindy Stowell,” he added.
Friedman said that only a few people on staff knew about Stowell’s condition, including Trebek, “who handled it with his usual flair and class.”
“She won our hearts, she broke our hearts, she made us proud,” Friedman said, noting the money she raised for cancer research charities. “We were so pleased and proud to be part of Cindy’s effort.”
Later during the ceremony, “Entertainment Tonight” veteran Mary Hart accepted a lifetime achievement award and brought up Stowell one more time.
“That was a beautiful speech,” she told Friedman. “What a beautiful story to tell.” — WPBloomberg