How did you react when you were selected for the College Championship?
My reaction when I first found out was... um... I was just in a whirlwind for several hours. I called a few people right away. But, um, after that, I was just--didn't know what to think. I couldn't focus on homework, couldn't focus on anything else. Um, it was just a crazy day.
What do you hope to take away from this experience, other than money?
Besides the money, uh, I hope to win, uh, I just think that this is a dream come true. I've really enjoyed Jeopardy! and I've kind of always wanted to be on the show.
Where do you hope to be in ten years?
I have no idea where I want to be in ten years. Um, hopefully overseas, um, just potentially working for the government or for a Christian ministry organization. I don't know. |
2010-B College Championship quarterfinalist: $5,000 + a Nintendo Wii + the Wii Jeopardy! game.
Tim Relihan
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
November 12, 2010
That led to high scores…and mine wasn't high enough. I knew within ten minutes of the end of my game that my score wouldn't get me through. I was obviously bummed at first, but God is good! I had a great time with my family and fellow nerds, I mean contestants, (Esprit de Corps!) earned a little money, got away from school, and was in on the exciting business of television show production. In all, I thank God for the opportunity and also that despite losing, the most important things in my life are still there.
November 11, 2010
Monday morning I got up super early so I could shower, shave, and be completely ready to go. I walked down to the lobby and saw some fellow competitors and immediately I was glad to be in this with somebody. It turns out that we all did become great friends, but that first morning I think we all eyed each other and thought "Who will I compete against? Could I beat these people?" Next was a briefing on the way to the studio about procedures and tips for playing the game. Then, when we arrived at the studio, it was makeup time! I haven't worn makeup since high school theater, but once I was ready I was the first one to start filming promotional clips. Seeing the studio was definitely a moment I won't forget. It was honestly kind of beautiful. The rest of the morning was similar in being full of nervousness and doing things I had only dreamed of before. The workings of a television show are quite interesting; I just tried to take it all in.
As for the game-playing, it was coming up fast. At this point I felt nervous for sure, but confident at the same time. I was extremely glad when we started the practice rounds and I could get my hands on a buzzer. I also enjoyed being behind the podium and standing on the floor. The people next to me usually had to be raised on the awesome little platforms so we looked the same height. Writing my name on the electronic pad was another sweet moment. Basically, the practice rounds really relaxed me. None of my fears came true about blanking or stuttering unintelligibly. After practice it was back to the green room. I didn't know I would be there for over three hours, or I would have brought something to read since I'm not too into movies. Finally my name was called and I took my place in position three.
My game started well. At the first break I think I was in the lead, and then my interview with Alex went pretty well. His best line to me was, "You may be more prolific than I am!" The second half of the Jeopardy! round saw me go backward on a Daily Double, but I didn't panic. It was just good to be playing. Double Jeopardy! flew by, and then it was time to wager for the final. I knew the response right away, but so did everyone else. I think someone said we were 15 for 15 as a group in the quarterfinals on the Final Jeopardy! question. That led to high scores…
November 5, 2010
Hello! My name is Tim Relihan and I am new to blogging, but that could be said for just about everything I am about to experience. I am a senior at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln, and my majors are International Studies and History. As I sit here on a rainy night in LA and think about why I'm here (whoa that sounds really deep), it seems pretty crazy. I have always enjoyed knowing random things and have had a knack for learning in general. I did quiz bowl in high school, so to fill my trivia void in college, I decided to keep up with Jeopardy! this all started with the online test. I first took the college online test when I was a freshman, I think, and again when I was a sophomore. I actually made it to an audition that year but didn't get that final call. I didn't give up, though and took it again. I guess I'm persistent and optimistic, but it paid off on this go round. (Let that be an encouragement to you aspiring contestants who have tried a couple of times. You just haven't succeeded ... yet!) So I took the test in February and then was called to the audition stage for the second time sometime in April.
From here, I was definitely excited, but a little restrained, knowing that it was still far from sure that I would achieve my goal of being a Jeopardy! contestant. The audition was far from the forefront of my mind as well, because it was the Saturday after my finals week and four days before I would leave for a study abroad trip to Chile. I decided that I would study and do what I could to prepare, and trust God for the rest. So I finished my last final on Thursday and then packed. Friday afternoon I drove the ten hours to Chicago from Lincoln with a good friend. (I owe him a Cubs game now because I told him I'd take him if I made it as a thanks for accompanying me.) I think that having been through this process once before helped my confidence, and I felt good about it. I thought the written test was not too difficult, but in everything else it was just really hard to judge myself against everyone else. Then my friend and I ate some deep dish pizza, and made it home late Saturday night. The following Wednesday I left for Chile for half the summer and again put Jeopardy! out of my mind.
The Call was super unexpected. They had said at the audition that if I didn't get a call by the end of the summer, well I could just plan on trying again. In my mind, the start of school, the end of August, and then the passing of Labor Day definitely signaled the end of summer. On Thursday, September 16, at 3:30 pm I was browsing the internet and the phone rang. Basically, after hearing that my dream of being on Jeopardy! would actually come true, I was ecstatic! My head was spinning. I immediately called my girlfriend, best friend, and family, but not anyone else. Half an hour later was my staff meeting (I'm a Resident Assistant in a dorm on campus) where I couldn't contain my joy. From there, though, I tried to settle down and think straight. I know that this opportunity is a definite gift from God and I have been thanking him and praying about how I can use this opportunity for His glory. As far as studying goes, I have done some reading of archives, playing games on Sporcle, and studying some specific topics, but life has generally been crazy. I am in the midst of research for a thesis project and have a lot of other time commitments that don't leave me a lot of free time. I find myself once again leaving this game in God's hands. I am confident and want to win, but nervous of course. So whatever happens tomorrow, I say "thank you Jesus," for the chance to pursue a dream and spend a great weekend in foggy Southern California with my family. |
