Experience The ‘Jeopardy!’ Studio Audience
October 24, 2023 | Articles, Travel Stories
When I travel, I try to mix in some fun activities that are not on the average tourist’s to-do list. During a recent trip to Los Angeles, I sat in the studio audience for the taping of three ‘Jeopardy’ shows. It was more fun than I ever anticipated.
I had the idea while planning my vacation, having never been in a studio audience before. Not really a bucket list item, but something interesting that I had not done. The tickets are free and available over the internet. You select your day and choose either the morning or afternoon session.
I went with a wonderful friend of mine, and we arrived at Sony Picture Studios in Culver City, parking in the free garage. We checked in on the first floor, where the audience preparation staff organized the us into groups.
At about 10:15 we were led through the studio lot, past huge numbered buildings painted a dull orange-ish color. Most were closed. There are red siren-like lights beside most of the doors, which would be on if there was recording happening inside. Beside the doors were plaques, with the names and years of shows or movies that had been produced there. Studio ten had only four names. ‘Jeopardy’ has been filmed in the same studio since 1994.
I should add that I was there during the writer’s strike. I assume that is why the place seemed pretty quiet. There were pickets at the parking garage, and I normally would not have crossed that line. Not knowing when I would be back in L.A, I did.
The audience group was led into the studio. It was cool to see the stage and the background staff and equipment. It seems bigger on television. There was a long table just off the stage where the answer judges sat, one of the spots had a stack of thick dictionaries and a thesaurus.
Each seat had it’s own video screen for the question. We found out later that the judges could watch the Final Jeopardy answers being written in real time, and play it back in slow motion, which allowed a better understanding of what the contestant was trying to write.
Our phones were ordered off and no photography in the studio was allowed. I would guess that there were maybe 150 of us, and all the seats were filled. We were introduced to the stage manager, Jimmy McGuire, and show director, Sarah Whitcomb Foss, who once travelled the world as the ‘Jeopardy Clue Crew.’
Jimmy explained the schedule for the taping. We were witnessing the semi-finals of the last chance tournament, where past winners were vying for the final seat at the Tournament Of Champions. Our shows would be aired on November 22, 23, and 24, over Thanksgiving. “So if you want to impress your in-laws over turkey, just don’t tell them you were here!”
We were given our applause instructions as far as when and how loud to clap. The contestants were led onto the stage. They had all been winners before, and played multiple games, but you could sense some nervousness as the stakes were so high.
The last person we were introduced to was Ken Jennings, who came out right before the taping started. He had a few words with the staff and the contestants, then disappeared behind the wall for his entrance as the show began.
The music started, we began clapping, and the contestants were introduced, all smiling into their isolated camera. Ken Jennings came out from behind the wall, introduced the show, and quickly took his place behind his podium. And yes, it was his podium. Jimmy explained during one of the breaks that Ken’s podium was quite high-tech. Alex Trabek’s podium had been retired. He used a large sheet of paper for the questions and answers, and crossed them out with a special Crayola pencil that made no sound.
The first contestant picked a category and dollar value, and the show began. It was mighty tempting to answer the questions as if I was sitting in my living room, but we had been warned against doing so. Frankly, I doubt that was ever an issue, but it wouldn’t surprise me if some idiot had, at some point, compromised a show’s outcome.
At the first commercial break, Ken came over to the audience and took questions. He was funnier than I’d have guessed, and we saw more of his personality than ever came through the television. He joked that when in town for taping, he stayed close by, and was likely the only person in Los Angeles who walked to work.
I wanted to ask Ken if he ever used ‘H and R Block’ to do his taxes. As fans might remember, that was the correct answer when he finally lost in his 74th straight show. My raised hand was not chosen. Maybe for the better, I meant it to be funny, but there might be a bit of ‘salt in the wound’ from such a question.
One contestant went on a roll during ‘Double Jeopardy’, and ended the second round with a commanding lead. He could not be caught, and ‘Final Jeopardy’ was a mere formality.
Perhaps that is why they used, in my humble opinion, an easier question. A 1960’s article in Esquire that commented “His eyes were very blue, and very alert.” My obvious guess was Sinatra, simply because of his ‘old blue eyes’ nickname. I was surprised when 2 contestants wrote David Bowie, because his eyes were different color after an accident in his youth.
After the taping ended, a few corrections were made. Ken re-read one of the clues for future editing. Then we were allowed to tour a small area backstage. There was a large trophy case with all the awards the show has won. There must have been 50. Lego had recreated the set, and there were several plaques and even the Jeopardy theme music. We took turns being photographed behind some fake podiums.
After about 15 minutes we settled back in our chairs and watched the second taping. Interestingly, there was a malfunction with one of the screens. The contestants were turned to face the other way while technicians fixed the problem, in case any questions were accidentally shown.
Ken and Jimmy kept the audience occupied with questions and anecdotes. Ken’s children will sometimes check with him after being told something by their mother. An interesting dynamic around the dinner table, and not one that mom is crazy about!
After about 15 minutes, the game continued. This was a great game, very close all the way, with a huge $9000 daily double in the mix. All three contestants had a chance to win. ‘Final Jeopardy’ was a tougher science origins question. (I can’t word remember it correctly, but the answer was ‘helium’ so you can impress your in-laws!)
The leader had the question wrong, and knew it, running out of time before he could fix his answer, showing his frustration at himself before the answer was revealed. He was still in good humor as he congratulated the winner.
The winner was quite emotional, and seemed on the verge of tears. Her brother had been killed in a car crash after being accepted as a contestant, which had prompted her to apply. Undoubtedly, he is looking down proudly. I kind of hope she wins the tournament.
After another break, we watched the third game. Another runaway, the leader could not be caught in Final Jeopardy. Another easy question, quickly answered by all three contestants. “This company mailed out it’s last red envelope on September 29, 2023.” I thought they stopped years before, but I could only think of one company that mailed signature red envelopes.
A bald man in a grey sweater, the winner buzzed in on 48 of the 60 questions, a very high percentage. The highest we saw by a wide margin. Ken announced those stats after every taping, while the contestants were congratulating the winner.
The two game total-winnings final was taping that afternoon, with the three winners from the shows we saw. I will have to watch November 27 and 28 to see who wins.
We had a lot of fun, it was very interesting. For the record, I knew about 25 percent of the answers. About my usual, so no, I won’t be applying to be a contestant any time soon.
