The Answer Is... Me?

Last Tuesday, I had the honor of being James Holzhauer's roadkill on the night of Tuesday, April 21st. I lost by many tens of thousands of dollars, but thought I'd share a little bit of my experience getting on and being on the show.

So...........in March of 2018 I took the online Jeopardy test. This is a timed test done at a specific time of the day that is the first hurdle. A couple of days later I heard that I had passed and been invited to an in-person test and interview.

In April of 2018, I went to a nearby hotel with a group of probably about fifty other contestants. The day consisted of an interview, practice round, and two additional tests. They are looking not just for knowledge but camera presence, stories, etc. The afternoon was a long one, with some fun (it's cool answering questions), but also there isn't a lot of sense of how you are doing versus the other contestants. I headed back to work wondering if I had done well enough to be on.

About six months later, I found out that I would be on! This was a awesome news! As an LA resident I would be an alternate the first day of showing. Jeopardy tapes 5 episodes in a day. If you are from out of town, you are responsible for paying your own way there. The alternates (there are two) are there in case something happens. One of the two get on the show that day. The other is invited back for another day of filming, but not as an alternate.

On January 16th, I showed up at the Culver City studios (about 2 miles from my house) for the day of filming. We did paperwork, makeup, went over all the rules, and did a practice round. There's a weird sense of camaraderie in the room - everyone is competing with each other, but also made it this far.

3 episodes are filmed before lunch, 2 after. It's a random draw (unless you're the returning champ or alternate) on when you will get on. If you aren't selected, you sit in the audience, drink water, and try not to freak out.

Alex comes out just for filming the episodes. Each one takes about 30-40 minutes with the appropriate commercial breaks. During the breaks, Alex will film any corrections (there are a few), and then take questions from the audience. During each game, the winner and Alex go back for a quick change and new makeup.

The set is very similar to what you see on TV. We also get a board showing current scores and lights which turn on when we can buzz in. It is buzzing that is the true differentiation of Jeopardy! mortals from immortals. If you buzz in early, you are locked out for a fraction of a second. Buzz in late, and your peers have already gotten it. The production team are all pretty nice and supportive.

The first day of filming, I wasn't selected. But I did get lunch at Sony Pictures' cafeteria on the staff (and saw Spiderman).

I was invited back to film on February 26, knowing that this was for real.

The morning went much the same way. I met James in the parking garage (not knowing that he was a top 3 player of all time).

I was picked for the second show. So I knew - at that point - that he racked massive ingame amounts, hunted daily doubles, started at the bottom, went quickly, and was an all around Jeopardy! champion. So my strategy was to play his game and do the same thing (if I could).

I have not watched the episode since filming, so here are some thoughts about it as best as I can remember:

• I quickly flubbed the rhyme question - just surprised I was able to buzz in. That wasn't great.

• My fellow contestant decided to play the traditional top to bottom style. I think this hurt us.

• It went by super quick.

• I switched from using the visual cue of the light to closing my eyes and listening to Alex's voice to determine when to buzz in. This seemed to help in Double Jeopardy.

• I'm glad I got Charmed - my wife was binge-watching that show during that time.

• There weren't any categories that I felt were impossible; at the same point, I didn't feel I had any give-me categories.

• I entered Final Jeopardy unable to catch 2nd place (and an additional $1,000 payout); so I bet an amount that would have left me with just $7 dollars. I felt confident with the category but I was just playing for fun.

• The final Jeopardy question was ridiculously easy. Oh well.

• I wish I had written a cute note on my Final screen like my fellow contestants. Oh well.

• I remember almost nothing from Game 3 (which was taped right afterwards) and was just ready to go - sad that I had blown probably my only shot to be on the show.

I went out with my wife afterwards and had a delicious lunch.

And that was my day(s) on Jeopardy!

Since then I've talked to the Washington Post and ACE about my experience. Photo courtesy of Jeopardy! Productions.