This text initially appeared on Enterprise Insider.
“Jeopardy!” champion Buzzy Cohen hosts a brand new podcast known as “That is Jeopardy!” concerning the historical past of the long-lasting sport present.
Buzzy Cohen on the set of “Jeopardy!” Jeopardy Productions Inc
Buzzy Cohen, a music govt from Los Angeles, gained $164,603 in a nine-day streak on “Jeopardy!” in 2016, then gained the 2017 Match of Champions. He returned to the Match of Champions in 2021, this time as a visitor host.
Now, he is the host of a brand new podcast exploring the present’s historical past and enduring success: “That is Jeopardy!…The Story of America’s Favourite Quiz Present.” Produced by Sony Music Leisure in partnership with Sony Photos Tv, the primary episode premieres April 26.
“Within the podcast, we’re actually taking a look at how we bought up to now the place ‘Jeopardy!’ is an establishment, not only a sport present, not only a quiz present,” he informed Insider. “There’s one thing for the ‘Jeopardy!’ followers, but in addition for people who find themselves simply excited by American tradition and leisure.”
Cohen additionally shared behind-the-scenes insights from his time on the present that viewers at dwelling do not get to see.
“Jeopardy!” tapes 5 exhibits — a complete week’s price — on daily basis.
Buzzy Cohen competes on “Jeopardy!” Jeopardy Productions Inc.
“Jeopardy!” winners change outfits between tapings to offer the looks of competing on a unique day, when the truth is exhibits are taped one after one other.
Cohen, who performed 10 consecutive video games in two back-to-back taping days, mentioned he did not anticipate simply how “exhausting” the schedule can be.
“That’s definitely one thing that I believe individuals are stunned by,” he mentioned. “It actually makes the truth that individuals can go on these lengthy runs much more spectacular as a result of it is endurance in addition to psychological and bodily stamina.”
The host of “Jeopardy!” does not have a lot display screen time, however is busy throughout each second of the present.
Alex Trebek hosted “Jeopardy!” from 1984 till his loss of life in 2020. Eric McCandless/ABC through Getty Photos through Enterprise Insider.
“Jeopardy!” hosts put on an earpiece to speak with producers as they juggle many duties that are not seen to viewers at dwelling.
“What’s sort of stunning is how little you are possibly on-screen, however you’re studying the clue, calling a contestant, making a ruling, asking them to pick,” Cohen mentioned. “Whereas in the event you’re a contestant and another person has a every day double, you are sort of like, ‘Okay, take a breath, I will regroup right here.’ However in the event you’re the host, you are in all of these moments.”
Along with working the gameplay, Cohen says bringing the keenness that retains “Jeopardy!” followers tuning in can be an important job for the host.
“If you happen to’re not within the materials you are studying, it will come throughout to the individuals viewing it at dwelling,” he mentioned. “Actually staying in it and actually being dedicated to it was one thing that Alex Trebek made look really easy, and I believe is just not as straightforward because it seems to be.”
A person named Michael Harris manually controls the “Jeopardy!” buzzer.
Ken Jennings holds the “Jeopardy!” buzzer. Getty Photos through BI
Harris, who can be a researcher on the present, sits on the judges’ desk offscreen. When the host finishes studying a clue, Harris flips a swap and allows the buzzers. If contestants buzz in earlier than the host has completed studying the clue, they’re locked out for 1 / 4 of a second, making buzzer timing a key technique to profitable the sport, The Ringer’s Claire McNear reported.
“That is Jeopardy!…The Story of America’s Favourite Quiz Present” devotes a complete episode to the buzzer.
“We speak concerning the contestant standpoint,” Cohen mentioned. “There are contestant buzzer specialists. There is a man who we interviewed who’s written a ebook on the buzzer. He does buzzer workshops at trivia occasions. After which we additionally speak to Michael Harris, who allows the buzzer, and we speak concerning the rule that made the buzzer what it’s right now.”
Often, manufacturing pauses for rulings by the present’s judges.
The “Jeopardy!” board. Eric McCandless through Getty Photos through BI
Typically, a contestant will present a solution that requires additional deliberation, akin to questionable pronunciation.
“There’s quite a lot of visitors management stuff that good hosts make look straightforward,” Cohen mentioned. “I practiced lots to make it as straightforward as potential, however you do not actually give it some thought while you’re simply watching the present.”
The “Jeopardy!” alumni group is a close-knit group.
From left to proper: “Jeopardy!” champions James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter. Eric McCandless through Getty Photos through BI
Nicknamed “Mr. Character” by Alex Trebek, Cohen turned often called a polarizing determine on the present for his tongue-in-cheek “Ultimate Jeopardy!” solutions referencing “SNL” skits. Different “Jeopardy!” contestants, akin to 2018 Teen Match champion Claire Sattler and 40-game champion Amy Schneider, have spoken out about experiencing on-line harassment after their appearances on “Jeopardy!”
Fortunately, Cohen says, the “Jeopardy!” alumni group is there for one another.
“The parents at ‘Jeopardy!’ actually need the followers to respect the contestants,” Cohen mentioned. “I am glad this present is taking extra of a ahead strategy, and I additionally love when my fellow contestants can soar in and sort of assemble the ‘Jeopardy!’ alum avengers to assist our fellow contestants.”
