Spelling always counts, especially on ‘Jeopardy!’

Eighth grader Thomas Hurley III spelled ‘Emancipation Proclamation’ wrong when answering a question regarding Abraham Lincoln on the TV show ‘Jeopardy!’ The boy was crushed when finding out he was incorrect, costing him $3,000.

Hurley said afterwards he was cheated by the show.

“They always tell you spelling counts when you’re a kid,” says KIRO Radio host John Curley.

Hurley was feeling confident in his answer and you could see it in his face as the camera panned to him. His confidence disappeared as host Alex Trebek tells him he is wrong due to a spelling error.

Trebek had sympathy for Hurley as he stalled when telling him he was incorrect as it was just for a spelling error.

“The fact that it’s ‘Kids Jeopardy,’ I think there should be a little allowance for these kids,” said KIRO Radio host Tom Tangney.

This is a big hit that Hurley will remember for the rest of his life. The boy told his friends and family he will never watch the show again.

“My heart breaks for the kid,” added Curley.

Apparently the rules are the rules.

Report by MyNorthwest.com intern Hannah Kadletz