Buzzing In: Stephanie Garrison '13 to appear on "Jeopardy!"

Congratulations, Stephanie! How did this come to happen? 

I had been taking the Jeopardy! Online Test since college and never seemed to get through to the next round, but I'd always take it every year. In 2020, right during the lockdown, I took the test again and found out a few months later that I had passed the first test! So the audition process began. Once you're in the "contestant pool," they tell you you have an 18-month window to be selected... those 18 months came and went... and the very next day I got the call to be on the show. 

Why do you like (love?) Jeopardy

I started watching Jeopardy! because my parents had it on every night. So the show—and Alex Trebek—have been in my home for as long as I can remember. I don't remember when I actually started to chime in and answer questions... but I started getting pretty good at it! Then it just became about the competition. Jeopardy! is a staple in my house!

What was the whole experience like? 

The experience was incredible. I was lucky enough to be an alternate as well, so I got to experience the "Tape Day" without having the pressure of being a contestant before I got to go on. Everyone on the crew from the camera operators to the contestant "wranglers" are top-tier. Everyone cares and loves the show so much.

I'll tell ya, seeing the Jeopardy stage for the first time was surreal... and standing behind the podium was the most exciting and nerve-wracking feeling. It's a long day (they shoot five episodes a day!) but to spend the entire day watching, playing, and experiencing Jeopardy! is a pretty darn good day. 

What from Saint Mary’s helped you get here?

Honestly? The Great Books Seminar classes proved to be extremely helpful to me in my Jeopardy training/studying. You can bet good money that there will always be at least one category devoted to Literature, and Seminar covers all the classics! 

What are you up to these days?

I am working as an actor in Los Angeles! I am currently in the process of producing a short film (that I wrote, will direct, and star in) and hope to have it completed by the end of the year. I enjoy doing community theater productions in Orange County and my two main hobbies are playing basketball at my local gym...and watching Jeopardy!

Anything else you’d like to share with the Gaels cheering you on?

I'd say if you love Jeopardy, take the test! Try to get on. It's truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience and it's so much fun. Win or lose, it's a blast!

Stephanie Garrison '13 makes her Jeopardy! contestant debut on Monday, June 6, 2022. Find your ABC station and airtime.