Dandy Warhols Fan Alert on Jeopardy

During a May 20 episode of Jeopardy!, contestants faced an unlikely category: “Swords.” One clue surprised both players and viewers when it referenced Portland’s own The Dandy Warhols. The rock outfit later took to Instagram to share a screenshot, posting:

i’ll take swords for $400.

thanks to everyone who sent this in. guess we’ve got a fan at jeopardy.

Fans quickly rallied to tag the band and celebrate their TV trivia debut.

Band Scores A Jeopardy Nod

The clue appeared in the midgame under the “Swords” heading. Contestants buzzed in to supply the band’s name after the clue described a group named in playful homage to pop art icon Andy Warhol. While Jeopardy! traditionally reserves music nods for categories like “Rock Classics,” this creative twist left viewers amused—and The Dandy Warhols delighted.

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ65sF8x0Fu/

The band’s frontman, Courtney Taylor-Taylor, joked in the caption that he’d happily wager on more sword-based questions in future episodes. Bassist Brent DeBoer and keyboardist Zia McCabe also chimed in under the post, thanking fans for the heads-up and sharing their own surprise at being immortalized in the quiz show’s storied archives.

From Portland To Primetime

Formed in Portland, Oregon, in 1994, The Dandy Warhols broke through with their 2000 hit “Bohemian Like You.” Alongside Peter Holmström on guitar, the quartet built a career on catchy hooks and offbeat humor. Their 2003 album Thirteen Tales from Urban Bohemia remains a staple of alternative playlists, and they’ve toured internationally ever since.

Earlier this month, the group wrapped an acclaimed New York City run. In a May 5 Instagram post, they shared highlights from four shows in five days:

“Highlights from @thedandywarhols epic NYC weekend 🍌🍎 4 shows, 3 DJ Rescue @ziamccabe afterparties, next to no sleep for anyone ha. Moments from 2 nights at @boweryballroom, one at @mercuryloungeny, a gorgeous, intimate acoustic set at @publichotels and after parties at @themulberrybar and @homesweethomebar. The band sounded absolutely stunning all weekend, and it was amazing to experience the set as a living thing that transformed each day 😍 Always the best time with the Dandy’s, thanks so much for having me on for another amazing ride ❤”

Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DJ5EzgkNol1/

Since then, they’ve been teasing new material and gearing up for summer festivals, proving their Jeopardy cameo is just one more chapter in a decades-long story of creative twists.

By merging pop-culture trivia with rock history, Jeopardy! reminded viewers—and the band—that alternative acts can thrive in unexpected arenas. For The Dandy Warhols, it was another chance to engage fans old and new, whether on stage or in a quiz buzzer duel.

Cheers poured in from across social media, with fans posting memes of swords crossed with guitars and clever mashups of Alex Trebek holding a drumstick. The community’s swift spotting of the clue reinforces the band’s lasting impact and the affection they inspire.

From Portland basements to primetime television, The Dandy Warhols continue to find inventive ways to stay in the spotlight—whether that’s through chart-topping singles, sold-out shows, or now, a clever Jeopardy! swords clue that had everyone reaching for the buzzer.

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Pratibha

 

Pratibha holds a master's degree in English from Madras University. A bookworm from a young age, she devours books and digital humanities to nourish her writing projects. Pratibha began her writing career in 2018 and has experience writing formal, informal, and technical content.

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