I’ll take ‘Out of my League’ for $400, Alex

[Bob Juch]

What was I thinking?

When a publicist for “Jeopardy!” e-mailed to ask if I’d like to go through the audition process for America’s favorite quiz show, I should have said no. Unless the categories are “Bourbon,” “Bob Dylan Lyrics,” or “Maine Mill Towns,” I really have no business holding one of those buzzers.

But I was curious about the obsessives who want to be “Jeopardy!” contestants, the multitude of puzzle geeks, librarians, teachers, research assistants, retirees, and others who watch the show religiously and audition, in some cases over and over, for the chance to answer clues in the form of a question and, just maybe, win a mountain of money from host Alex Trebek.

Rest of story: https://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2 ... story.html

[SpacemanSpiff]

Maggie's gone blonde?

[Kazoo65]

This was funny! As someone who's gone through the audition process several times, I could relate.

What, no opera, ballet or Shakespeare questions on the test? I usually saw at least one of those three subjects on most every J! test I've taken so far.

I see from the photos that they STILL use Polaroid film (I bet they stockpiled it) to take the photos of the auditioners.

I'm waiting for them to announce another round of tryouts this fall.

[Estonut]

I see from the photos that they STILL use Polaroid film (I bet they stockpiled it) to take the photos of the auditioners.

Either that, or they just buy it from Target.

[kroxquo]

"Evil Maggie" is still there, God bless her. She made every contestant there feel like the most important person in the room. When I was waiting to go on stage for my first game, I was so nervous, we had the following conversation:

Maggie "Are you all right, you don't look well."
Me "Nothing a xanax couldn't fix,"
Maggie "Do you want one? I have some in my bag."

I still love that woman.

[SpacemanSpiff]

I see from the photos that they STILL use Polaroid film (I bet they stockpiled it) to take the photos of the auditioners.

Either that, or they just buy it from Target.

I know they used the Polaroids during my audition five years ago, and that was shortly after Polaroid announced they weren't making the film anymore.

I joked with Robert James (taking the pictures) about the use of the Polaroid. He joked back that they got the film from some source in a back alley in Hollywood.