Today is the day.
I have qualified twice before for Jeopardy -- passed the test, played the mock game in front of their staff, been interviewed by the Jeopardy contestant searchers -- but have never been called to appear on the show.
In 1999 they held an open audition at the Mall of America. I stood in line with hundreds, perhaps thousands, of other people to take the 10-question pretest. Everyone who got eight or more correct passed to the next level, where, in a large room with about a hundred others, we took a 50-question test. Those who got at least 35 correct were *qualified* to be on the show, but now needed to demonstrate that they could stand up and press the buzzer and ask the question and talk intelligibly in front of people. In groups of three we played a mock game of a few questions and were interviewed, just like on the show.
In 2005 my husband happened to be watching the show and saw that they were holding a contestant search in Chicago on the Monday after April 15th. He got me on the list, then called to tell me what he had done. (Thank you, Smokey!) I visited my brother-in-law and sister-in-law, who live near Chicago, and BIL drove me to the audition at Navy Pier. It which was exactly like the one in Minneapolis, minus the part about standing in line and taking the 10-question test. During the initial 50-question test I happened to be sitting between a young man who had recently graduated from Yale and a young woman who was a grad student at the University of Chicago. Neither of them passed the test, but they got acquainted during the sessio and I think they went out for coffee afterward. They may have gotten an unexpected benefit from the whole experience.
This time the 50-question test was online on January 31. I had signed up a few weeks before, after getting an e-mail from the Jeopardy people announcing the test. Yes, I am on their mailing list. Actually, I had signed up a year or two ago for this same online test that was being given at that time, but we went out to dinner that evening and I got home too late to take it. This time I was careful to be seated at the computer with no distractions and in plenty of time. And apparently I passed.
PRINT OUT AND BRING THIS LETTER WITH YOU – ADULT INTERVIEW
Congratulations! We are happy to confirm your appointment to participate in the full audition for Jeopardy!. That will consist of playing a “mock version†of Jeopardy! to assess your game-playing skills, a short personality interview, and being re-tested with a new 50-question test. If you pass all the requirements to become a contestant you will be entered into the contestant pool for one year. However even though you pass the test, we cannot guarantee that you will be invited to do the show. In fact, even though you are invited to the studio, there is no guarantee that you will appear on the show. You will be responsible for all expenses such as parking and travel to and from the audition center. If you are invited to Los Angeles to do the show you would also be responsible for expenses to come to Los Angeles.
Maybe the third time will be the charm?!
Wish me luck!
