Central Graduate to Compete on Jeopardy! This Week

Danielle Maurer has been working toward going on Jeopardy! since the early 2000s. In January of this year, she found out she would compete, and the dream became reality when the episode was recorded on Feb. 15.

Maurer auditioned for the Teen Tournament when she was in her early teens.

"I have vague memories of going there," Maurer said. "But they have more eligible candidates than they can put on TV, and I didn't make it."

This didn't stop Maurer. After graduating from Central in 2008, she went to Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Va.

"I applied for the College Championship every year," Maurer said. "Unfortunately, I never got in."

After college, Maurer moved to Atlanta and began working in marketing. Maurer then started applying for the regular game.

When Maurer started applying, the system was different. There was one week a year when applicants could take the test and do the interview. All applicants were chosen from this week.

Now, Jeopardy! offers the Anytime Test. The test is comprised of 50 questions on different topics. Test-takers have 15 seconds to answer each question. Though the passing grade is not disclosed, Jeopardy! fans suspect 35-40 correct answers is passing.

After passing the preliminary test, applicants take another test and do a mock interview and mock game.

"This helps them see what kind of player you would be," Maurer said.

After passing the tests and interview, applicants are put into the contestant poll for 18 months.

Maurer took the test in March of 2021 and was interviewed in April/May. On Jan. 22, 2022, Maurer found out she would be a contestant.

In the three weeks leading up to her recording, Maurer did what she could to prepare.

"Three weeks is enough time for the anticipation to build, but it's not really enough time to prep," Maurer said.

Maurer focused on three areas when getting ready for Jeopardy! To start, she looked at broad topics of knowledge to memorize, such as the presidents, world capitals and geographical facts.

"You would kick yourself if you lost money on a capital or when a president was in office," Maurer said.

Maurer then practiced the rhythm of the show with her best friend acting as the host and her husband acting as another contestant. Learning when to buzz in has a specific pace to it.

"You can't buzz in until lights turn on after the host is done reading the question," Maurer said.

Maurer then studied the wagering perspective to know when to wager big and when to wager conservatively, as well as what to do with the final wager.

Maurer flew out to Culver City, Los Angeles, on Super Bowl Sunday.

Maurer traveled alone because Jeopardy! still had strict COVID protocols. The crew and other contestants made up the audience, knocking the usual live audience of 150 down to 40 people.

"It was sad because my family didn't get to be there, but it had a more intimate feel and it lifted the pressure off," Maurer said.

According to Maurer, a week's worth of episodes are recorded each day. Maurer was in the fifth group to compete.

"Starting Monday, I knew everything that was going to happen," Maurer said.

Maurer compared the process to a marathon. Everything moved quickly and efficiently. The winners were taken off stage almost immediately to change and begin the next episode.

The host of Maurer's episode was Ken Jennings, who is known for having the longest winning streak on Jeopardy!

"I wanted to meet a Jeopardy! legend and I did," Maurer said.

Maurer encourages those interested to go to jeopardy.com/watch to find out how to watch her episode, which airs Friday, May 6.

Maurer could tell a few people the results – including her parents, who still live in the Cove – but mostly had to keep them to herself.

"Contestants are usually Jeopardy! fans, and we respect the results," Maurer said.

"Sometimes you want to do something for so long and it ends up being not as good as you think it will be," Maurer said. "This is not one of those experiences. Everyone was so kind. A lot of love goes into the production."