The grave mistake that got this "Jeopardy!" contestant disapproval from "Wheel of Fortune"
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The world of game shows is filled with bright lights, big wins, and sometimes, the crushing blow of rejection.
For one Jeopardy! contestant, the dream of spinning the Wheel of Fortune came to a screeching halt due to a candid confession that turned out to be a game show faux pas.
Here at The GrayVine, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal the major mistake that cost a contestant his chance at fortune and what you can learn from his experience.
Bill, a two-day Jeopardy! champion from Boston, Massachusetts, with winnings totaling $28,000, shared a story that left viewers and host Ken Jennings chuckling, but also served as a cautionary tale.
During the customary mid-show interview, Ken turned to contestant Sam and inquired about his previous attempt to join the ranks of Wheel of Fortune contestants. He asked, “I’m told before coming on Jeopardy!, you also tried out for Wheel of Fortune?”
Sam, a tax accountant from Maryland, admitted that about six years prior, he auditioned for the iconic word puzzle show.
However, he made the grave mistake of expressing his preference for Jeopardy! in a room brimming with Wheel of Fortune enthusiasts. His honesty didn't sit well with the crowd or the coordinators, and his Wheel of Fortune aspirations were dashed.
"Then I saved myself and one of the contestant coordinators asked if I had ever been on Jeopardy!?” quipped Sam. “I said ‘no but after I get on Wheel of Fortune I’ll go on Jeopardy! next.’ As my friend says, joke about the job you want.”
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are often considered sister series, airing back-to-back and sharing the same studio lot in Culver City, California.
Despite their proximity and shared fan base, some argue that the two are rivals. This rivalry, whether real or perceived, might explain why expressing allegiance to one over the other could be seen as a betrayal in the eyes of the show's gatekeepers.
As the contest headed into the Final Jeopardy!, Bill McKinney–returning champion–came out on top since he found all three Daily Doubles, securing $14,800. Meanwhile, Sam only had $3,200.
Billy ended the game at $18,100, while Sam just went above Molly by $4,0001.
The episode concluded with Bill securing his third win, but not without some viewers expressing disappointment over the simplicity of the Final Jeopardy! clue.
Have you ever auditioned for a game show, or do you know someone who has? What was the experience like? Do you have any tips for aspiring contestants? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
For one Jeopardy! contestant, the dream of spinning the Wheel of Fortune came to a screeching halt due to a candid confession that turned out to be a game show faux pas.
Here at The GrayVine, we're pulling back the curtain to reveal the major mistake that cost a contestant his chance at fortune and what you can learn from his experience.
Bill, a two-day Jeopardy! champion from Boston, Massachusetts, with winnings totaling $28,000, shared a story that left viewers and host Ken Jennings chuckling, but also served as a cautionary tale.
During the customary mid-show interview, Ken turned to contestant Sam and inquired about his previous attempt to join the ranks of Wheel of Fortune contestants. He asked, “I’m told before coming on Jeopardy!, you also tried out for Wheel of Fortune?”
Both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! share the same studio lot, and while some see them as sister series, others view the shows as rivals. Image source: Wikipedia.
Sam, a tax accountant from Maryland, admitted that about six years prior, he auditioned for the iconic word puzzle show.
However, he made the grave mistake of expressing his preference for Jeopardy! in a room brimming with Wheel of Fortune enthusiasts. His honesty didn't sit well with the crowd or the coordinators, and his Wheel of Fortune aspirations were dashed.
"Then I saved myself and one of the contestant coordinators asked if I had ever been on Jeopardy!?” quipped Sam. “I said ‘no but after I get on Wheel of Fortune I’ll go on Jeopardy! next.’ As my friend says, joke about the job you want.”
Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are often considered sister series, airing back-to-back and sharing the same studio lot in Culver City, California.
Despite their proximity and shared fan base, some argue that the two are rivals. This rivalry, whether real or perceived, might explain why expressing allegiance to one over the other could be seen as a betrayal in the eyes of the show's gatekeepers.
As the contest headed into the Final Jeopardy!, Bill McKinney–returning champion–came out on top since he found all three Daily Doubles, securing $14,800. Meanwhile, Sam only had $3,200.
Billy ended the game at $18,100, while Sam just went above Molly by $4,0001.
The episode concluded with Bill securing his third win, but not without some viewers expressing disappointment over the simplicity of the Final Jeopardy! clue.
Have you ever auditioned for a game show, or do you know someone who has? What was the experience like? Do you have any tips for aspiring contestants? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
