Posted on: Friday, January 10, 2003

'Jeopardy!' to audition, film in Hawai'i

By Wayne Harada
Advertiser Entertainment Writer

The category: Quiz shows.

The answer: "Jeopardy!"

The question: Which show is heading to Hawai'i next week to audition contestants for competition later in the year?

"Jeopardy!" the No. 1 syndicated quiz show, which this year marks its 20th anniversary on the air, is O'ahu-bound to audition and sign up contestants for appearances with Alex Trebek and other Mainland participants.

"We've already got more than 200 contestants booked," said Jeff Ritter, publicist for the show. He will be one of a delegation of 30 arriving this weekend at the Hilton Hawaiian Village, where contestants will take sample tests next week to see if they can muster up the right answers and a chance to be on a waiting list for contestant slots.

"We know we'll have great fun with those who've signed up," said Maggie Speak, contestant coordinator for the show, which last year logged its record 4,000th episode. "We expect all demographics, all ages."

The auditions, open only to those who signed up in advance via the show's Web site, will be held Tuesday and Thursday at the Hilton.

A "brain bust" session, which is open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at Dave & Buster's at the Ward Entertainment Center.

"Obviously, we want people who know how to have fun, have enthusiasm, and are interesting," said Speak. The quiz show requires an encyclopedic knowledge of random facts, trivia, and other quick-hit answers, as well as the ability to push that buzzer first.

Four members of the "Jeopardy!" team — Jimmy McGuire, Sarah Whitcomb, Cheryl Farrell and Sofia Lidskog — known as the Jeopardy! Clue Crew, will also be in Hawai'i to tape short segments on O'ahu, the Big Island and Kaua'i.

"These segments, used as clues, will celebrate Hawai'i," Ritter said.

A visual clue might, for example, show the telescope on Mauna Kea, with the question being: "What is the tallest peak in Hawai'i?"

"Jeopardy!" has held one other contestant search in the Islands.

The show is taped before an audience at the Sony Studios in Culver City, Calif.

Reach Wayne Harada at 525-8067, wharada@honoluluadvertiser.com or fax 525-8055.