If you are a trivia master or Alex Trebek superfan, you can get into jeopardy and win cash. Yes, Cash! Provided you are willing to put your knowledge to test the show’s application, and testing process is open to you. That aside, getting selected to appear on jeopardy not only require skill, charisma, and luck but eligibility requirements that you must meet.
Since jeopardy has become a nightly bonding ritual, millions of families in the US have grown up with it. The musical countdown on the final jeopardy and Alex Trebek’s one-off jokes are not only a significant part of who we are as people but has also become more than just a game. But even if you are a great fan of the show, there is a likelihood that you don’t know about it.
Eligibility requirements
• Unless it’s the college championship or the teen tournament, you must be 18 years and above.
• If you are entering the teen tournament, you must be between 13 and 18 years old.
• If you are a college applicant, you must be an undergraduate with no previous degree.
• You must not have appeared in any version of the show with the host before.
• You must not have related to, have known anyone or employed by Sony Picture Entertainment, Sony Pictures, Quadra Productions, Wheel of Fortune Jeopardy or CBS Television Distribution in the past five years.
How to become a contestant
First, you need to fill in an online contestant entry form and create an account. This is actually what will allow you to register for the online show. Apart from uploading your photo, you’ll have to answer some basic questions about yourself. After you are done, you choose from a handful of audition cities.
Once you’ve confirmed that you are eligible, it’s very important to go through the process of becoming a contestant. First, it’s vital to take and pass the online test. If you meet the basic eligibility requirements and pass the test, you’ll be placed in a random selection process where if you are lucky you’ll be invited for an interview.
If you go through the audition, you will be placed in a pool where you will be invited to compete within 18 months from the time of your audition. It’s important to note that just because you’ve made it to the audition doesn’t mean that you’ll be invited to compete in the show. This same process also applies to the college and teen students, with each test given is specific to the next tournament only.
As a contestant, you must have a general knowledge of the test. Just like the show’s format you’ll be given 50 clues and 50 categories and have 15 minutes to submit your answer. Since the whole test takes 13 minutes, you don’t have to provide the answers in the same format.
Tests are provided once or twice a year for three consecutive days. To prepare for the tests, you are allowed to access and practice the tests and read other preparation resources found on the show’s website. You may also get a lot of help by watching old episodes.
Going to the audition
While jeopardy does not reveal a candidates test score, if you go through, you’ll get into the lottery for an audition. You will also be sent more information if you are chosen. The audition parts include a game tutorial, an additional written test, contestant interview, and mock game. Although you are required to answer Jeopardy questions, the game is not all about you’re your test skills or knowledge but rather whether the coordinators feel that you have the right personality for the TV. This is because they are looking for people who will make for the best show.
Tips to help you during the audition process
• Stay engaged– Since the cameras are rolling during the whole process, you need to stay energized and genuinely interested. The most successful contestants are the ones that are fun and not distracting.
• Look the part– It’s very important to dress as if you are already in the show. Your dressing code should include comfortable dress shoes, business casual attire, and cloths with solid colors.
• Avoid being a know it all– Appearing as if you are showy or overly competitive may work against you.
• Speak clearly and loudly– Among the most common feedbacks that contestants usually get include speaking up. So, always ensure that you are loud and clear during the audition.
• Prepare yourself well for the interview– After the mock audition game, you’ll be asked to say something interesting about yourself and how you’ll spend the money in case you win. You, therefore, need to come when you are ready with answers in case someone else uses your answer before your turn. Since they’ve heard several answers, you need to provide them with something that they’ve never heard before.
Interesting facts about jeopardy
• Over 7000 episodes have been aired on jeopardy– Currently, in its 34th season, Alex Trebek and his team of producers has managed to air over 7000 episodes of jeopardy since its inception. And did you know that for every episode, Alex changes his suit?
• The game has outlived over 400 other game shows since it started in 1984– with almost four decades of airing many other shows that started with it have since died.
• Contestants normally walk away with a decent amount of cash– Apart from the second and third winners who walk away with $2000 and $1000 respectively, the first winner takes home $40,467.40. This implies, it has already given the contestants millions of cash.
• According to CNN, the show is 54 years old– Although jeopardy, as we all know it today, premiered in 1984, the first ever episode of the show was aired in 1964.
• Alex real name is not Alex– Although many people know him as a Canadian, very few people know his real name. His real name is George. This is according to IMBD.
• The only way to win is to watch the show– If you are lucky enough to have passed the auditions, you’d better start finding old editions on YouTube. By actually watching the show you’ll get Alex’s clues, categories, and rhythms that often recur.
• Not everything is like it seems in the TV– Just like any other show, Alex stumbles, the board malfunctions, and people contest answers. Through editing, nothing will be visible to the audience.
• You must get ready to tell your personal story– As an applicant, you must always be ready to fill a huge form full of your personal information. This is where you are required to fill in all your personal information, including fun facts such as how you mate your spouse.
Conclusion
As one of the oldest shows in American TVs, jeopardy has had a longstanding presence. While its host Alex Trebek hails from Canada, the quiz show has not only become a stable of their TV diet, but most Americans have embraced him. Having hosted the TV show since 1984, Jeopardy has been an inspiration to many people both old and young. Apart from the eligibility requirements, it’s also very important to know some of the tips that can help you win.
