‘Jeopardy!’ offers three wins to Longmont competitor

Longmont has a quiz present champion within the type of Stephen Webb, an information scientist who thus far has received not one, however three video games of the long-lasting trivia competitors, “Jeopardy!”

Practically three years after beginning the audition course of for the present, Webb traveled to Los Angeles in December to place his information of a variety of subjects to the check. Webb’s three-game win streak was broadcast in mid-February, together with his fourth recreation set to air later this month after a string of episodes that includes the present’s “Excessive College Reunion” event.

Initially from Georgia, the 38-year-old moved to Longmont round 10 years in the past after attending graduate faculty in New York. Trivia has lengthy been part of his life, stretching again to his participation in quiz bowl competitions throughout highschool and school. He finally determined to check out for “Jeopardy!” after his spouse identified that he was answering an “inordinate” quantity of prompts appropriately when the 2 would watch the present at residence.

Regardless of his trivia prowess, nevertheless, Webb mentioned he wasn’t even anticipating to win one recreation.

“I used to be mainly anticipating to be on the stage as soon as,” he mentioned. “I truthfully thought I used to be going to come back in useless final…which is form of good, as a result of then I had no expectations. I might simply go for it.”

Webb took the web “Jeopardy!” qualifier check within the spring of 2020, launching an interview course of that took over a yr. After one other yr of ready, he was lastly requested to be on the present on the finish of 2022.

As a multi-game winner, Webb mentioned the filming course of was one large adrenaline rush. Since a number of video games are filmed back-to-back, Webb solely had about quarter-hour to course of his wins whereas concurrently altering garments, redoing hair and make-up and strolling proper again onto the stage.

“There’s actually no time to sit down down and relaxation,” he mentioned. “You’re standing nonetheless for a really very long time, which is definitely form of laborious to do. So there actually is an endurance side to those longer streaks.”

Webb mentioned Colorado has been well-represented on “Jeopardy!” these days, recalling a few latest contestants from Centennial and Superior. In 2015, Longmont elementary faculty trainer Jennifer Giles competed within the present’s “Lecturers Match” and received the grand prize.

Webb believes the producers’ resolution to carry digital auditions as a result of pandemic has led to a broader taking part in discipline.

“They pull folks from all around the nation,” he mentioned. “You don’t must be from California to be on ‘Jeopardy!’ now, and I believe that’s very, very cool.”

Webb has a doctorate in physics, however apart from getting fortunate with a science-related “Day by day Double” throughout certainly one of his video games, he doesn’t suppose his background was as necessary to his success because the time he spent getting acquainted with the present’s typical questions.

“I don’t suppose a excessive schooling is a prerequisite for doing nicely,” he mentioned. “It is advisable to learn so much since you want the data, however then you definitely additionally have to spend time with the inquiries to get used to puzzling by (them).”

Webb’s efficiency has already pulled in $80,631, which he mentioned he needs to place towards touring internationally together with his spouse. He additionally mentioned he’d like to compete within the present’s “Match of Champions” in the future.

“In the event that they invited me again on the market, I’d go, and there’s no query about that,” he mentioned.

Viewers can catch Webb’s fourth recreation at 6 p.m. March 10 on KDVR-DT (FOX).