‘Jeopardy!’ question sheds light on ‘Rock of Ages’ -- the hymns, not the musical

It was the “Jeopardy!” response heard ‘round social media.

On Monday’s broadcast of the answer-and-question TV game show, returning champion Choyon Manjrekar delivered an incorrect response to an answer that has since gone viral, providing social media commentators with much to laugh and snark over.

The Final Jeopardy answer was: “A Christian hymn and a Jewish holiday hymn are both titled this, also the name of a 2009 Tony-nominated musical.”

Manjrekar’s response was: “What Is ‘Kinky Boots’?” His incorrect reply provoked chuckling from host Alex Trebek and the audience, but the contestant had the last laugh, winning the evening’s game.

The correct reply was “Rock of Ages,” the jukebox musical about ‘80s hair-metal bands that began its life in Los Angeles and later opened on Broadway in 2009, running for close to six years.

“Rock of Ages” is also the title of a well-known Christian hymn that dates to the 18th century, with words by Augustus Toplady, an Anglican reverend from England.

The Jewish song of the same name is completely different and is traditionally sung during Hannukah, with the Hebrew title “Ma’oz Tzur.” The hymn is believed to date from the 13th century.

Infinitely more secular, the musical “Rock of Ages” was made into a movie in 2012. The stage version can be seen in Las Vegas, where it is playing in an open run at the Venetian.

Twitter: @DavidNgLAT