How I Got on Jeopardy!...and Won!

by Jared Cohen

Have you watched Jeopardy and thought, 'I can do that'?Over 100,000 potential contestants take the Jeopardy test every year, with only a few lucky enough to make it to the show. For that, they earn the right to risk humiliation in front of a nationwide audience of millions on America's Favorite Quiz Show.In this first-person account,  Jeopardy champion Jared Cohen guides you through a vividly detailed step-by-step re-creation of exactly how he came face to face with Alex Trebek before walking away a two-day champion with a big check and even bigger stories.The book explicitly details the path to becoming a contestant - beginning with the online contestant test, through the in-person audition, and ultimately the show itself - providing any Jeopardy  fan with the ultimate how-to guide.ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jared Cohen  is an award-winning journalist, humor columnist, and blogger, with honors including a Keystone Press Association award. His work has most recently appeared at publications including FoxSports.com, SportingNews.com, and multiple sports analytics sites.

Genres: Nonfiction

122 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 16, 2012

Reviews

[Tracey · Rating 1 out of 5]

Wow. A blog post recycled with no alteration into a "book" by a guy who seems to take pride in being obnoxious. Thanks, that was ... fun.

Nah, it really wasn't.

I just pulled up "My Clippings" from my Kindle, and there were highlights - lowlights, in this case - from this ... "book". Here they are, to illustrate the obnoxious.

"(Note: I know I wrote all about this whole thing in my MySpace blog…but that site is totally overrun with porn and stupid bands no one cares about, so I’m kind of repeating myself…sorry)"
- See? Recycled MySpace posting.

"...The condescending Canadian host" ...
- If nothing else (like, for example, the fact that "condescending" is not the first word that comes to mind), has this man never heard of biting the hand?

"...taking huge reference books at Borders and sitting there reading"
- Because, really, why would I expect him to be anything other than exactly the kind of customer I loathed when I worked at B&N? Bookstore = not a library.

"...really hope I get a sports category or something that would be easier for guys..."
I didn't save the moment I still remember where he describes his fantasies of women draping themselves over him and flinging themselves at him; this will suffice to illustrate the chauvinism.

Okay, that's more than enough. Blegh. I need a shower after that. Come on, Jeopardy - I'd never write a piece of rubbish like this after I won on the show - give me a call!

[Wes Hazard · Rating 2 out of 5]

Having taped for Jeopardy! about 6 weeks ago I can say that this book offers some baseline useful info about the in-studio contestant experience so for that it might be worthwhile for anyone who’s prepping to be on the show or for people who are just especially interested in what goes on behind the scenes on tape days. Other than that it boils down to a pretty shapeless and extended anecdote about this author’s specific experience of applying for and being on the show. It’s basically what I’d imagine you’d get if you met this guy at a bar and he told you the story of how he was on a game show once. It’s written in a very lightly-edited blog style and your enjoyment will very much depend on if you find the author funny. If you’re looking for a fleshed out and thoughtful memoir on the Jeopardy! experience I’d recommend “Prisoner of Trebekistan” by 5-time champion Bob Harris. If you’re looking for Jeopardy! specific trivia prep I’d recommend “How To Get On Jeopardy! And Win” by Michael Dupeé and a lot of hours just plowing through www.j-archive.com

[William H. Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shallow, but very entertaining.