Jeopardy Taping -- 07/26/2019

One of my aspirations has always been to take part in Jeopardy as a contestant. Although I realize that the odds of achieving this dream are rather low, I was thrilled when a contestant invited me to accompany her for a taping. Last Monday, along with a few friends, we made our way down to Culver City, California, in anticipation of the recording the following day.

I want to clarify from the beginning that both contestants and those in the audience must adhere to strict confidentiality regarding the taping events. While I can share some general observations that likely apply to all tapings, I will refrain from disclosing any specifics about the participants or the outcome.

The initial phase involves traveling to the studio located in Culver City. Contestants were required to arrive approximately three hours ahead of the audience. After finding parking and waiting at the entrance of the garage, we were escorted across the studio lot to the stage area designated for Jeopardy. Some important guests got to ride in fancy golf carts, which was amusing! We were informed that while we could take pictures in the lobby, it was imperative to turn off our cell phones, as any violation could lead to confiscation. All the photos I’m sharing were taken in the lobby or outside the studio premises.

Once everyone had taken their seats, the show played some entertaining clips, featuring interviews with former contestants and comedic parodies of Jeopardy. One memorable segment highlighted a moment where no one even ventured to answer questions related to football. Following that, Jeopardy Jimmy, who features in the clip I just mentioned, came out to explain the rules, share what to expect, address any queries, and distribute some prizes. He was remarkably skilled at hosting, making me think he could easily run his own game show. During this time, we could observe contestants at their podiums receiving final preparations from the staff. show Afterward, Jeopardy Sarah introduced the contestants. Typically, this is done by Johnny Gilbert, but we were informed that he records these introductions afterward for dubbing. Soon after, Alex made his entrance, and the recording proceeded much as it appears during the broadcast.

The contestants, as well as the audience, could see tall vertical white lights next to the clues board that activate when it's permissible to buzz in. The audience also noticed that contestants stood at adjustable podiums, allowing them to appear at similar heights. Additionally, it was visible that Alex had a sizable notepad from which he read the clues.

During the intermissions, often compared to commercial breaks, Alex would approach the audience, engage with them, and clarify any unclear happenings from earlier. He has a charming and witty manner, and he reacts spontaneously. For instance, when asked by an audience member about his favorite travel destination in the world, Alex humorously pointed out that three words in the question were unnecessary, implying that there are places he has been that don't fall under that category. After jokingly mentioning extraterrestrial travels, he went on to recall a few favorite locations, with Antarctica being the only one I clearly remember.

These breaks were noticeably longer than typical commercial interruptions during the show. This downtime also included opportunities for the staff to advise contestants, although I couldn't catch the specifics of their conversations. I have heard that they provide guidance on managing the buzzer should a contestant struggle with timing. This interval is also used to re-record any clues that Alex might misquote, a mistake that I’d estimate happens about twice a game.

The only noticeable disruption in the usual flow occurred when Alex misread a clue quite badly. A contestant managed to answer it (though I’m uncertain about the accuracy), prompting someone to halt the recording. After some discussion, they decided to discard that clue, substituting it with a prepared alternative, and the show resumed.

On the day I attended, they filmed three games of Jeopardy. Five games are recorded in total each day: three in the morning with a one-hour lunch break, followed by two more. Throughout the intermissions, Jeopardy Jimmy kept the audience entertained by answering questions and giving away prizes. Some of these prizes were related to Jeopardy trivia, such as the highest possible score ($566,400) and the winning score from the very first episode ($8,400). Audience members were allowed to step out between shows, with breaks lasting around 20 minutes, providing a perfect chance to take some photos in the lobby.

A piece from an older set displayed in the lobby. Look closely at who is trailing behind.

Next week, I plan to discuss some recent changes to the rules, as well as longstanding rules that I wasn’t previously aware of.

The three episodes I attended are scheduled to air on September 16, 17, and 18.

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Written by: Michael Shackleford