Could you tell us about your charity?
I am playing for the International Rescue Committee. It is an organization that works to help refugees in war-torn areas not only, um, reach safety, and they also provide medical services and they specifically focus on women and children who are victims of war violence. So, um, I saw a story on 60 Minutes and it was incredible. It was about women in Congo who had been, um, the victim of sexual attacks, and they were doing incredible work, and they have an A+, uh, rating from charitywatcher.org. They're incredibly efficient. And, um, since I played for them last time I was on Jeopardy!, I got a chance to go to their offices in New York and meet them and hear more about their work, and they're doing amazing things.
What would winning $1,000,000 mean to your charity?
I think, um, unfortunately there are a lot of hot spots right now in the world, and new ones forming all the time, and being able to give some money--y'know, whatever I come up with today--to IRC would be incredibly meaningful. They send money where it's needed most, and they really are some of the first responders in--in war-torn areas, and, um, and I think the work that they do is sometimes overlooked because other groups focus on food, and housing, and they really focus on the other effects of--of war and violence and how it affects children and families. So, um, it would be incredible. I'd love--whatever I give them, I'm going to be really happy about.
Are you more or less nervous to play Jeopardy! this time?
No, um, maybe I'm a little less nervous than last time. Um, y'know, you go through it once and you kind of know what it feels like, so... I don't feel cocky, though. I'm very competitive, and I have um, some previous Jeopardy! champs on this time, so, I don't think there are any--any rubes here--I think I'm going to have to work hard.
Who is the bigger threat?
No idea, actually--I really don't know. Um, I'm hoping that Anderson is tired. I'm hoping he's sleepy from having just flown in from, y'know, Beirut or something like that, and I'm hoping that, uh, that Cheech, uh, focuses on punchlines and doesn't focus on clues. That's my goal. [Crosses fingers on both hands] I'm just going to be--I'm just going to be the same razor-sharp, uh, animalistic competitor I was last time and see if it works. [Laughs] Trying to psyche 'em out.
What's more important: winning or having fun?
Winning. Winning is everything. I'm--look at me, I'm crazy. I'm, in my normal life, very easygoing, um, but when it comes to games, I'm three for three in every celebrity game I've ever played on television for charity. I've never lost. So, um, yes, this is--this is a dark, terrible side of me that I need to work through in therapy, I think. But after I win, I'll go to therapy.
What categories are you hoping to see?
Um, MIXED COCKTAILS, THE FRENCH LANGUAGE--any of the romance languages--and STUFF THAT HAPPENED AT MY HOUSE. |
"In addition to film and TV roles, she performs comedy at clubs across America and voices sexy spy Lana on the new FX series Archer. Please welcome..."
Playing on behalf of the International Rescue Committee.
Aisha Tyler's talent and versatility have sparked her rapid ascent in Hollywood. Her hot-streak stint at the head of E! Entertainment's Talk Soup landed her firmly in the Hollywood spotlight and revitalized the Emmy-winning show, which she was the first woman and African-American to captain. After leaving Talk Soup, Aisha moved quickly into television and film roles, enjoying another first—the first African-American to play an extended character arc on NBC's Friends. She co-starred with Jennifer Love Hewitt in the CBS hit Ghost Whisperer, had extended roles on two of television's top dramas—CSI and 24, and has made numerous appearances on shows, including Nip/Tuck, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Reno 911, The Boondocks and more. She is currently voicing the character of sexy superspy Lana Kane on FX's new hit animated series Archer, which debuted in January 2010 as the highest-rated new show in FX history.
In 2009, Aisha returned to her stand-up comedy roots, starring in a hilarious one-hour special for Comedy Central, Aisha Tyler is Lit: Live at the Fillmore. The special is now available everywhere, on both DVD and digital download, and includes additional, behind-the-scenes footage and a music video she wrote, directed, and stars in—the viral emo-rap video "Nowassitall". Aisha has used her trademark wit in multiple appearances on The Tonight Show, Late Night with David Letterman, The Today Show, Politically Incorrect, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The Late Late Show, CNN and many more.
Aisha has had roles in Adam Sandler's hit Bedtime Stories, the crime drama Death Sentence opposite Kevin Bacon and the Universal comedy Balls of Fury, with Christopher Walken. She completed filming Black Water Transit, a film set in New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, directed by iconic Brit Tony Kaye and starring Lawrence Fishburne. Aisha also had roles in .45, opposite Milla Jovovich, and Santa Clause III with Tim Allen.
Aisha is a celebrated author, having released the successful Swerve: Reckless Observations of a Post-Modern Girl in 2004. A collection of hilarious comic essays on pop-culture, the book has been praised for its frank and funny look at what it's like to be a girl. Aisha is also a frequent contributor to Glamour magazine, for which she has written pieces about the media's unrealistic portrayal of feminine beauty.
Aisha has many additional interests. An avid video game player, she was named to the exclusive seven-member Halo game council. She does a substantial amount of charitable work, as well, acting as a spokesperson for the American Red Cross, teaching Dove self-esteem workshops for teenage girls, consulting with the Trust for Public Land's Parks for People project, and fund-raising for Doctors Without Borders, the Family Violence Prevention Fund and the International Rescue Committee. She's also the reigning Celebrity Jeopardy! champ.
Critical acclaim for Aisha has been effusive. Esquire called Aisha "sweetly wicked," designating her one of its "Women We Love". TV Guide called her one of television's "In Crowd." Maxim anointed her one of its "Hot 100" two years in a row. |
