ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

'Jeopardy' contestant reveals what goes on behind the scenes during commercial breaks

A 1999 behind-the-scenes YouTube video also explained that late host Trebek had a stand-in who "walked the contestants through a mock game."
PUBLISHED JUL 20, 2025
Picture of a Jeopardy episode taping  (Cover image Source: Jeopardy | YouTube)
Picture of a Jeopardy episode taping (Cover image Source: Jeopardy | YouTube)

Trivia and close finishes on "Jeopardy!" usually keep fans glued to their TV screens, but there's a lot more going on behind the scenes. For those who wonder what happens during commercial breaks, a former Tournament of Champions winner, Jennifer Quail, made a revelation on Quora in 2020. Quail explained that the game show typically has three breaks, and things are pretty chaotic during that time. The first break is dedicated to quick touch-ups and re-recording some portions by the production team. In the meantime, water is served to the contestants as they prepare for the next round.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Entertainment Tonight (@entertainmenttonight)


 

"A stagehand brings water bottles for the contestants. The production team who wrangle contestants come over and give their pep talk, make any corrections, like if someone is consistently buzzing early, and keep you quiet if there are pickups," she wrote. She further revealed that the filming team would then re-check the footage and correct mispronunciation, verbal, or physical errors from the host, Alex Trebek, which may include subtle hand gestures and comments. "Alex gets the cards with the ‘fun facts’ (there’s about three, one highlighted, but which one he goes for is ultimately up to Alex alone) and when the crew is ready, they come back from commercial to Alex’s chat with the contestants," she added.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jeopardy! Masters (@jeopardymasters)


 

Quail further revealed that the second break occurs right before the 'Double Jeopardy!' round. This is when the production team once again gives a pep talk to the contestants, reminding them about the big prize at stake. After a separate picture shoot with the champions, the crew arranges a photo session with the challengers and the host. "Alex comes over to take a picture with the two challengers. Then we come back to Double Jeopardy," she continued. The final break is the main deal, according to Quail. She admitted that it takes a little longer, and the contestants get time to decide their wagers.


 
 
 
 
 
View this post on Instagram
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Jeopardy! (@jeopardy)


 

Once the contestant has locked in the wager on a scratch sheet, it cannot be changed, and the game screen is unlocked after a member of the production team deems it right. "One of your ‘wranglers’ checks it, as does another production team member, to make sure it’s legible, and when you’re sure that’s what you want, you lock it in. At that point, you can’t change it. They take away the scratch paper, and the part of the board where you write your answer is unlocked," she explained. The 'Final Jeopardy!' round starts only after the contestants have double-checked their touchscreens to be in working condition. "They make sure the ‘backup card’ (a piece of card stock sitting on your podium) is turned to the correct ‘who’ or ‘what’ side just in case your touchscreen fails," she added before concluding.

A 1999 behind-the-scenes YouTube video also explained that late host Trebek had a stand-in who "walked the contestants through a mock game" back in the day. Additionally, the audience were also treated to 'Jeopardy!' montage during the game. Interestingly, Trebek struck up a conversation with the live audience during the commercial break, and whoever correctly answered his questions won a chance to call him.

More on Market Realist:

Ken Jennings finally answers the big question every 'Jeopardy' fan has wondered for years

'Jeopardy' fans stunned to see Ken Jennings reveal a hidden talent on the show: 'I didn't know...'

How much does Ken Jennings earn hosting 'Jeopardy'? Surprisingly, he made more as a contestant

RELATED TOPICS JEOPARDY
MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The contestant said she was bad at it but there is no excuse for mistaking a continent for a country
23 hours ago
Corey Harrison did not know much about the jersey, but he got a lot of help from the expert.
1 day ago
The contestant would have become the first man to achieve the big prize.
1 day ago
The question was about some of the most popular boy bands of all time.
1 day ago
The guest did not create a fuss but was adamant about the authenticity of his item.
1 day ago
The host's speech made for a sombre moment but he found a way to make that funny as well.
1 day ago
Fans once again called out the puzzle, which, according to them, was too tough.
3 days ago
The guest wanted a five-figure sum at first but was left disappointed by Harrison's stubbornness.
3 days ago
Rick Harrison was not as careful with this item as one would have expected him to be.
3 days ago
The contestant got a couple of chances to answer, and Harvey was left unimpressed on both occasions.
3 days ago
The contestant has denied the host's claims on social media that has fans intrigued.
3 days ago
It must have felt like a full circle moment for the family that had felt similar emotions back then.
3 days ago
The entrepreneur did not have a clear plan to grow the business despite having such a big ask.
4 days ago
All of the other sharks said no due to the risks, but Cuban seemed eager to take the gamble.
4 days ago
The contestant started the game strong but had to wait until the end for the big win.
4 days ago
The contestant faced a tough puzzle and she was not prepared for that at all.
5 days ago
Cuban had seen enough of Mr. Wonderful's greedy tactics, and he decided to take a stand.
6 days ago
Fans were also left as confused as the contestant after seeing the puzzle.
6 days ago
The iconic "Jeopardy!" champion has been hosting the show for many years now.
6 days ago
The host remembered the times he was bullied as a young kid after hearing the chant.
6 days ago