SPOILER ALERT: Scroll down to see how Josh Weikert did on Jeopardy!
For the first time in Immaculata University history, a faculty member will compete on “Jeopardy!” Joshua Weikert, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the Department of Civic Engagement, will appear as a contestant on the popular game show on March 21, 2025, at 7 p.m. The show airs locally on 6abc (WPVI-TV).
Ahead of the broadcast, Immaculata students will take part in a trivia game hosted by Weikert, followed by a “Jeopardy!” watch party in the Green Room on the University’s campus.
Lifelong Fan of “Jeopardy!”
Like many families, Weikert grew up watching “Jeopardy!”
“We didn’t watch it for entertainment; we watched it to answer the questions—we took it seriously,” he said. “Being on “Jeopardy!” was a dream come true. It’s something I’ve wanted my whole life.”
Weikert credits his background as a liberal arts scholar with giving him an advantage in trivia competitions. As a political science professor, he believes his field is particularly beneficial because it encompasses history, politics, economics, communications and many other pertinent areas.
The Road to Jeopardy!
Each year, approximately 200,000 people take the 50-question “Jeopardy!” online test. For several years, Weikert has been among them.
If the test-taker passes the first round, they may be invited to take a second online test to confirm their results. Those who pass may advance to a third round, where they participate in a monitored virtual test conducted via Zoom.
“Then, if you pass that, that’s when stuff gets real,” Weikert stated.
He explained that the next step is a live virtual audition with a practice game so producers can see how contestants perform, including navigating the board and interacting with the host. Those who pass this stage enter the “Jeopardy!” contestant pool with about 3,000 to 4,000 other people—for 18 months. Only 400 contestants are selected each year.
“Even getting to that stage, you still only have about a one-in-eight chance of getting the call,” Weikert said. “When they actually do call, it’s startling.”
Once selected, Weikert had exactly one month to prepare for his episode.
The Big Day at Jeopardy! Studio
Weikert and his wife, Barbara, flew to Los Angeles a few days before filming began on Monday, Feb. 10. All five episodes for the week were recorded in a single day at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, where, he added, “The Wizard of Oz,” “Breaking Bad,” “The Crown” and other shows were filmed.
After arriving at the studio, the contestants were taken to the show’s green room while the wardrobe staff reviewed their outfits. Each contestant brought two additional sets of clothes in case they needed a wardrobe change for additional potential episodes. Once the paperwork was finalized, they had their hair and makeup done before rehearsals began.
Josh Weikert on the Jeopardy! set
“Then they walk you out to the Alex Trebek Stage for rehearsals. People say that things look bigger on TV than in person—that is NOT this stage,” Weikert confirmed. “This stage is huge; nothing is green-screened. The entire stage lights up—the floors, the walls, the 20-foot board, the giant “Jeopardy!” logo above you. And you’re just like ‘Wow.’ The stage itself is incredibly intimidating.”
The two rounds of rehearsals allowed the contestants to practice with the real buzzer on the official “Jeopardy!” board.
“You start to realize in that moment, ‘I knew this was going to be hard. I did not appreciate how hard,’” Weikert acknowledged. “As hard as you already know it’s going to be –going from your couch to the studio, and factoring in that it’s even harder because now there’s pressure—it’s even harder than you think.”
He elaborated, explaining that contestants must juggle multiple elements during the game: keeping track of categories and question values, reading clues quickly, deciding whether to ring in, and considering how competitors are performing.
“You realize your fellow contestants are incredibly good,” he said. Contestants can ring in as soon as the lights on the side of the big screen turn on, but they flash so quickly he pointed out—minuscule seconds—that it’s extremely tough. This was a lesson he learned within five seconds of rehearsals.
After a short break, two randomly-chosen contestants, plus the returning champion, returned to the stage and wrote their names on their devices. The game began almost immediately thereafter. Once the “Jeopardy!” music played, Weikert said, the experience became a blur.
“I have no idea what happened! People ask if I had tough questions—I don’t remember. I’ll be as excited as anyone to see it air,” he joked.
Behind the Scenes with Ken Jennings
During the show, host Ken Jennings briefly chats with each contestant. Before filming, contestants fill out an extensive personal questionnaire. From that, producers select five potential questions for Jennings to ask. While Weikert isn’t allowed to reveal what was discussed, he looks forward to reliving the moment when the episode airs.
One of his favorite memories was meeting Jennings during rehearsals. Jennings’ comments to the contestants, coming from his experience as the game show’s biggest winner, meant a lot to Weikert. He remembered Jennings telling them:
Obviously, we want everyone to win on “Jeopardy!” but clearly that can’t happen. But I promise you, you’re going to have some kind of a win during your game. You’re going to get a question right that you didn’t think you knew, you’re going take a risk on a Daily Double—you’re going to get Final Jeopardy right when no one else does. There is going to be something that you are going to take away that’s going to be a win for you. So, just have fun.
Looking Back on the Experience
“It’s been so much more fun looking back on the experience,” Weikert stated. He appreciated the professionalism and support of the “Jeopardy!” staff, who ensured contestants stayed calm, provided water during breaks and reminded them of key gameplay elements.
One of the most nerve-wracking moments, he recalled, was wagering for Final “Jeopardy!”
“They give you two sheets of paper—one for math, one to write your final wager on. Once you lock in your wager, that’s it. You can’t change it,” he said. “I have to tell you, in your life, you will never be less certain that you can do basic arithmetic than in that moment. It seems very easy at home,” he said.
The excitement surrounding his appearance has been overwhelming. The enthusiasm and support from family, friends and the Immaculata University community have been incredible, he noted. The six-week wait from filming until the episode airs has been a little nerve-wracking, but he acknowledged that it could have been much longer—up to three months.
For Weikert, the entire experience was so monumental. “We all showed up that morning thinking ‘this is our shot. You’ll likely never be on this stage again,’ which made it very special.”
After his appearance on Thursday, March 27, Josh was a five-day winner earning $80, 202 and qualifying for the tournament of champions. Heading into the game on Monday, March 31, he is a six-time champion earning $100,202.
Action News on 6ABC covered his initial appearance and the watch party on campus.