As of Wednesday night, Northwestern graduate student Dan Smith was in the midst of a three-game winning streak on the popular quiz show Jeopardy!.
Smith, who is seeking an interdisciplinary Ph.D in theater and drama, took an online test to qualify for the show more than a year ago, and said he “completely forgot about it” until he was contacted last April about further auditioning.
At his audition in June, he was asked to complete a 50-question test and to compete against two others in a mock contest. He also did a short interview with the show’s casting directors.
Another five months passed before he was contacted by the show again. “They called and said ‘Can you come out to L.A. and tape Jeopardy!?” Smith said. “I was like ‘Okay!’”
According to Smith, Jeopardy! tapes five episodes a day twice a week. At the taping in early December, Smith spent the entire first day watching other contestants.
He was called to play in the first game on the second day of taping, and then began his win streak.
“Being on the show is a lot of fun,” Smith said. “It’s a marathon day.”
Smith said he has become a lot more popular in his post-TV appearance life. “I’ve gotten about 20 new Facebook friends since Monday,” he said. “I’ve had calls and emails from people from various stages of my life … people I haven’t heard from in years.”
Smith will make his next Jeopardy! appearance Thursday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.