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As Seen on TV

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A couple of weeks ago, my wife was on Jeopardy. Of course, I joined her, flying to LA to watch the taping of the show. In the process, I learned a few things:

  • The show organizers recommend you stay at the Ramada. I recommend you don't. My feet didn't exactly stick to the floor in the bathroom, but it wasn't something I'd dine off of either.
  • They tape five shows in a day and only tape two days per week. Everybody brings a few changes of clothes.
  • Alex Trebek seems to take a long time changing clothes.
  • Each show is 30 minutes on TV and, barring unforeseen circumstances, takes 30 minutes to tape -- they take full commercial breaks.
  • Alex and Johnny take questions from the audience during the "commercial" breaks. They both seem like pretty nice guys.
  • The set looks almost exactly as it does on TV, only on TV it seems bigger.
  • Alex looks almost exactly as he does on TV, only on TV he seems less strange. I mean, this guy has a very weird sense of humor. If you ever get a chance, as him about Sean Connery.
  • When Alex doesn't like how he read a question or something, they retape it.
  • When they get an answer (question, really) they need to check, judges at a remote location stop the show. It can take a long time to get the right answer. They don't show that part on TV.
  • The nearest restaurant is a Starbucks and a chain sub shop; it goes downhill from there. Food is not a big thing in Culver City, I guess.

Oh, and my wife did pretty well, too.

Comments

  • Anonymous
    October 11, 2005
    did she win???