Jeppidy update (Update on my tryout for "Jeopardy!")

[Bossy Monkey]

So as you may recall, I took the online Jeopardy test in January, and in late March learned that I had passed. This qualified me to drive to Atlanta for the next stage. I am sworn to secrecy as to certain aspects of the audition (sacrificing the goat while chanting "Trebek! Trebek! Trebek!" for examp-- whoops, I wasn't supposed to say that) but in general it was pretty straightforward. We took another timed 50-question test, then got to play Jeopardy for a couple of minutes each. No cameras and no Trebek (Johnny Gilbert read the clues, but on tape) but we did get to use clickers. They weren't as difficult to use as the ones on the show are reputed to be; it would be nice to think that Sony had switched to easier clickers, but more likely these were just the cheap road-show version. Regardless, after each game-playing stint, the head contestant coordinator made like Trebek and asked us about ourselves and also what we would do with the money if we won a large pile. I resisted the impulse to say that I would overthrow the legitimate government just like the oil companies do, and by and large acquitted myself pretty well. Admittedly I still look like a doughy middle-aged gargoyle who can't dress himself, so I rather doubt that I made the top of the contestant pool, but I'm fairly sure I at least passed the audition. Now, they only need 400 contestants in a season and there will be at least two or three times that number in the pool; also I don't hear from them in any way shape or form until and unless they actually need me on the show. The latter is both a good thing and a bad thing (Ha! Take THAT Martha Stewart!): on the one hand, I can always believe that I passed regardless of whether or not I did; on the other I might sit here a year never knowing a thing, at which time I can at least try out again. (So not a very bad thing.)

I certainly recommend that everybody sign up at Jeopardy.com to get on the mailing list so you'll know about (and be reminded about) next year's test, presumably again in January. Really, win or lose, the whole experience was an absolute blast.

[Richardo]

1. That's cool!

Thanks for that update.

[Bossy Monkey]

6. You're welcome. Hoping that future updates can include the phrase:

"Large cash prizes" (preferably within the context of describing winning them).

[terrya]

2. Hey! Good luck!

I hope they choose you to be on the show.

We'll be rooting for you if you do. :thumbsup:

[Bossy Monkey]

5. If I am, you and Doug will be among the first to know

I expect the LA DU contingent might get a head's up as well, of course.:)

[Aristus]

3. That's terrific, undisclosed! You are so totally going to rock!

Good luck! :bounce::bounce::bounce:

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Thanks, I hope so

In the interim, of course, friends and family will no doubt grow tired of my phrasing all my responses in the form of a question.:)

[Bossy Monkey]

7. Birthday kick, just for the heck of it

and to mention that I found a new Ethiopian/Eritrean restaurant in Atlanta, handy to I-85 even. It was pretty good, and completed a wonderful little Atlanta trip.

[Lyric]

8. I took the test a few years ago

and passed as well--but when I found out that, if chosen, I had to pay my own way to California plus my own expenses, hotel, etc., it just wasn't possible for me to do it.

I wish you the absolute best of luck!! If you make it onto the show, I can't wait to see you! :)

[Bossy Monkey]

10. The contestant coordinators pointed out that these days they give only cash prizes

so third place is $1000 and second is $2000. Thus, even if you lose your expenses are covered. I'm assuming that the problem was getting a hold of a $1000 loan to get the tickets; thankfully, that isn't going to be a problem for me, should things get that far (knock on wood).

[Joe Fields]

9. hey, undisclosed...

I have made it that far three times. I have tried out three times, passed the test each time and done the mini audition thing with the clickers. Only, you had to go an extra step, by driving to Atlanta. Back in the day, they went from city to city, looking for contestants. And every time they came to K.C., I tested, was auditioned and placed on a waiting list. They told me it was good for a year, and I always anticipated getting called, but never did get called. I think it was because I looked too much like a hippie.

I wish you a lot of luck with it. Here's hoping you get the call up.

[Bossy Monkey]

11. I cleaned up as much as I can be cleaned up

but I still looked like a doughy old hippy in a blue blazer and tie. I'm hoping that's good enough, but if it isn't I won't be terribly crushed.

As to the contestant search, I think they still do it that way, too. (I think that's what the Brain Bus is for.) However, I still would have had to go to Atlanta and would have had to wade through a lot more applicants and probably hours more testing. This entire process only took a little over two hours and I was off for Ethiopian food, then back to Columbia by 4.

[Joe Fields]

12. Well, best of luck to you. I'd love to see you on it.