Season 25 2-time champion: $46,399 + $1,000.
Jeopardy! Message Board user name: snoopyrules
Gail Flemmons - a History Teacher
Clinton, Mississippi
February 6, 2009
I have been a Jeopardy! fan since I was in elementary school. That was in the Art Fleming days. I was a nerdy kid who actually read encyclopedias for fun. I was very disappointed when the show went off the air. I was so happy when the current incarnation came on 25 years ago, and I've been a faithful viewer ever since. Alex Trebek does an excellent job as host, in my humble opinion.
Being a nerdy kid I loved school so much that I took the only job I knew of that would allow me to stay there, teacher. I had always loved history and in the eighth grade had the best history teacher ever, Mrs. Nancy Lightsey.
After that, my course was set. I would be a history teacher. Over the years, I have used the Jeopardy! format in my classroom to help review students for tests. On numerous occasions students would ask me why I didn't try out for the show. I would explain that as a poor school teacher I could not afford to go to California just to try out and maybe never be chosen for the show.
Then came the computer age and the online test. I took the first online test offered in March 2006. One of the cities listed as an auditions option was Atlanta, GA. That's not so terribly far from my hometown of Clinton, MS so I chose it. I felt pretty good about my test result but the months went by with no word from Jeopardy! about auditions there. I am an infrequent poster and frequent lurker on the Jeopardy! message boards so I knew that no one else had been invited to Atlanta yet either and I kept my fingers crossed. In September I received an e-mail inviting me to Atlanta. I immediately started trying to find an affordable flight and accommodations.
Believe it or not, but the airline schedules were such that I would have had to miss at least 4 days of work. Factor in that the audition date was right in the middle of midterm exams and the story does not have a happy ending.
I had to turn down what I believed would be my only chance to try for my big dream. I was not a happy camper.
The next online test was given less than a year after the first. According to the rules, I was not allowed to try again in 2007. By this time I had decided that in 2008 I was going to do whatever it took to make it to an audition. I took the 2008 online test and felt a little less confident than before. The nearest audition city was Savannah, GA but I decided that this time I would choose Los Angeles. Southwest Airlines flies out of Jackson, MS and it would actually be cheaper and easier just to go to California.
This time the wait was much shorter. I was invited to come to LA in March.
I made my travel plans and accepted. Things were looking up.
I decided to stay at the Culver City Radisson where the auditions were being held so that I didn't have to worry about cabs and traffic. I am habitually early so I was the first one waiting outside the room. As the others began arriving, we each seemed to be sizing one another up. Robert took everyone's picture and we had some paperwork to fill out and turn in. Then they let us in and we got to meet Maggie for the first time. I had heard other contestants mention how much fun she is and they were not exaggerating. She got everyone loosened up and laughing. She made fun of my Southern accent and I thought that might make me stand out. After all, most of the others were from California and here I am from Mississippi.
Then we took the written test. I actually thought it was easier than the online test so I was starting to relax a little and really enjoy myself. We were called up in groups of three to play a mock game. I was really proud of myself that Maggie and Robert did not have to remind me to speak up or to call the next category. After everyone had a turn, Maggie told us that we would be on the list for 18 months. I can't remember the numbers but it sounded like the odds of being chosen were very slim. So many people audition each year and only a few hundred are selected for the game. I kept telling myself that I'd had an adventure and not to be disappointed if I never got the call, but I remained hopeful.
I usually leave my cell phone on vibrate when I am at school. Even though I don't get many call on my cell, I don't want it going off in the middle of class. Since I don't get many calls I don't check my voice mails on a regular basis. Late on a Friday afternoon in October, I heard my phone vibrating in my desk. It was my free period so I answered. It was my mother. She had been outside getting the mail and when she came back in discovered a message on the machine from someone named Robert at Jeopardy!
She gave me the number and that is when I discovered that I had a voice mail from him on my cell phone. I called immediately and Robert asked if I could come to LA on Nov. 19. Of course I said yes. I went to my principal and arranged for a substitute then and there. Word began to spread that I was going to be on Jeopardy! Everyone wanted to know when it would be on the air. I told the students that if I didn't humiliate myself I would tell them, otherwise they'd just have extra homework that night. I immediately made my travel plans and began getting nervous. In fact I was so nervous, I got one of the secretaries in the school office to fax my paperwork to Jeopardy! for fear I would mess it up and they'd tell me not to come.
I coach my school's (Hillcrest Christian School) Quiz Bowl team so I started reviewing some of the study books we use. I also took Maggie's advice and started watching Jeopardy! standing up and clicking the Jeopardy! pen I'd gotten at the audition to simulate the buzzer. I tried to remain casual but the thought of wiping out in front of millions of people gave me the shivers.
I had an uneventful trip to LA and spent a fairly restful night, in spite of my nerves. Once again I was the first downstairs to wait for the shuttle to the studio. As the others arrived we made small talk about where we were from and our occupations. I overheard someone mention that the returning champ had won over $100,000 and had dominated the competition the day before. I started getting nervous again. Two of the people had been to the studio the day before and had not been called on to play. They seemed much more at ease than the rest of us. When we got to the studio there were two more people who had not ridden the shuttle. Everyone was very congenial.
After a short wait we went to the Green Room. Robert met us outside the door and greeted us all by name. I guess I look more like my picture than I think I do. We went in and found more paperwork to fill out. Then Maggie arrived. Just like at the audition she made everyone feel comfortable and made us laugh. As she went over some do's and don'ts we took turns getting our make-up done. I usually wear very little make-up so it felt really heavy to me.
Then we went out on stage. It was so surreal seeing the place I watch on television every day. Glenn and the stage manager showed us the podiums and how the light pens work. Then Glenn did his Alex Trebek imitation and we took turns playing a mock game with the infamous buzzers. I actually felt pretty comfortable with the signaling device. Names were chosen to play the first game. I was actually a bit relieved not to be chosen since the champ seemed to be such a formidable opponent. We settled into out seats in the audience and Johnny Gilbert came in to warm up the studio audience and go over some do's and don'ts. Then, the music started and the game began.
Those of us waiting to be called played along, using our "air buzzers."
Surprisingly the champ seemed to have a little trouble. He was beaten by one of the contestants who had been there the day before. The new champ was whisked off to the Green Room to change clothes and get her make-up redone.
Two more names were called out and once again I was not selected. I was really enjoying just watching the game at this point. The new champ missed the Final Jeopardy question and lost so there was another new champ. This time I was called along with the other contestant who had been there the previous day. I had to get a touch -up on my make-up and get miked. We drew numbers from Robert I got the number 3 position, which is furthest from Alex. I didn't care, I was going to get to play. Doing the hometown howdies was the hardest part to me. It's hard for me to be enthusiastic on cue but I did my best.
I feel like I entered a time warp because I remember very little about what happened during the game. I do remember making Alex laugh during the interview segment, but that's about all. The game went by really fast. At then end of Double Jeopardy I had about a $10,000 lead over my nearest opponent. I wagered enough to beat him by $1 if he doubled. The champ (I think his name was Chris) misread the clue and missed the question. Louis got it right, but didn't quite double his money. I got it right and wound up winning $26,001. It was unreal! The next thing I know I'm standing talking to Alex while the credits rolled. Louis mentioned that I was quick on the buzzer and I said that I coached Quiz Bowl so I got to play with buzzers all the time. Everyone was coming up and congratulating me and calling me "Champ." I felt really special.
It was time for the lunch break, so the contestants who were left were taken to a nearby studio cafe to eat. Glenn, Robert, and Maggie went with us. We had a lot of fun talking about favorite foods, television shows, etc. It was like we were all old friends. Let me stop here and say that I cannot praise the contestant coordinators too highly. They make you feel like family. At every break they are there to offer you water, encouragement, a laugh, a smile. They are the best! They are all great at what they do.
When lunch was over we headed back to the Green Room. I had to change clothes and get more make-up. Then I was remiked and here we go again.
This time I would be going up against two young men. I was a bit concerned that their reflexes would be quicker than mine.
As the show began, Alex mentioned that I coached Quiz Bowl for my school. I was amazed that he remembered a casual comment form our previous conversation. He actually does talk to the contestants and he listens as well. I might mention here that I was impressed that he talked to the studio audience during breaks and answered their questions. He joked around with the crew. It's no wonder that the people working there all seem to enjoy being around him. He really is just as nice as he appears on television.
I was a little slower in this game. I never got that far behind but I never got ahead either. At the end of Double Jeopardy I think I was in third place. I decided to wager all but $2. So many people leave themselves with only $1, I thought I could at least get second place. Well, miracle of miracles, I was correct on Final Jeopardy and my two opponents were wrong.
I won $20, 398. By now I had won nearly 2 years' salary in one day. Once again, I'm being congratulated and called "Champ."
I head back to the Green Room to change clothes again and get more make-up.
Adding in all the touch-ups during the breaks on stage I think I had about ten pounds of make-up on by the end of the day. We go back out and I find that I am playing against two ladies. I am a morning person and by this time I'm getting pretty tired. My opponents were really sharp and my buzzer timing was off. Once again I found myself trailing. I decided to try my all but $2 strategy again. This time I totally blanked on Final Jeopardy.
It made perfect sense when I heard the answer but it just wouldn't come.
Both of my opponents were correct so I finished in third place. The winner (I think her name was Julia) actually apologized to me for winning. I can't remember if I said this to her but I hope I told her not to be sorry for beating me, but be happy for winning. She certainly deserved it.
Maggie gave me a hug, I had to sign some papers, I was given a Jeopardy! bag and picture frame, a cab was called for me, and it was over. My mother had told me to call her when I got back to the hotel but not to tell her how I did for fear she might let it slip. When I called her she decided she had to know. After making her solemnly vow to keep it secret I told her the good news. She was blown away. Since I've returned home she has told everyone she sees to watch Jeopardy! on Feb. 4.
Taping took place on a Wednesday. I flew home on Thursday and was back at school on Friday. I wrote on the board in my classroom 'YES I HAD FUN. NO, I WON'T TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENED!" I also made a sign with the same message and wore it all day. Everyone kept saying, "You can tell me. I won't tell anyone." And that was just the teachers!! They were worse than the students. I have told them it will air in early February. I'm thinking about really loading them down with homework on Feb. 3 and then springing it on them the next day.
If any of you have ever thought about trying out for Jeopardy! like the Nike commercials say, "Just do it!" I'm here to tell you that dreams do come true. Of course I'm not going to turn down the money, but I would go back in a heartbeat, even without the chance to win some money, just to get to play the game and to hang out with Maggie, Robert, Tony, Glenn and the whole gang. This was the experience of a lifetime. |
