Two Meredith Alumnae Compete on Jeopardy!
- By Rocio Antelis
- Published
Two alumnae, Carol Hedspeth-Lowe, ’78, and Kimberley Debus, ’98, recently competed on Jeopardy!
An avid viewer of the popular game show, Hedspeth-Lowe took the online Jeopardy! Anytime Test on a slow day at work with no expectation of hearing back. “My husband and I watch Jeopardy! every night. I’ve always considered myself a pretty good “armchair” competitor, so I decided to try the online test,” she said.
Debus, who is part of the five trivia teams, said she took the Anytime Test to prove to her friends she wouldn’t be selected on the show. “I tend to want a little time to think about the answers but Jeopardy! is a faster-paced buzzer game,” she said. “Clearly, I failed at proving them wrong.”
The next step was a Zoom audition. Hedspeth-Lowe and Debus competed against other applicants in a mock match and were told they’d hear back within two years if they were selected to be on the show. Both women were surprised to receive a phone call from producers only a few months after their auditions.
The experience was memorable for the alumnae. The two said fellow competitors, the crew, and the host, Ken Jennings, were all friendly and supportive. “The staff was amazing. Contrary to what folks might think, quizzers love other quizzers. While we were competitors, we were all rooting for each other,” said Debus. “It was wonderful.”
Debus also shared a few behind-the-scenes tidbits. “The set colors are different than what you see on TV. The blue background is more teal. I was also surprised they had lifts behind each podium so the contestants could look relatively the same height.”
Hedspeth-Lowe took the opportunity to show her pride as a Meredith alumna.
“Before taping, contestants fill out a survey about their lives and experiences, which the producers use to come up with the questions for Ken to ask during the interview section,” she said. “When I arrived at the studio, I was given a note card with five topics that Ken could ask me about, one of which was that I had identified my Meredith Onyx as one of my most treasured possessions. I was really hoping Ken would ask me about it so I could shout out Meredith but it will have to suffice to know that I was wearing my ring and trying my best to represent Meredith well.”
Hedspeth-Lowe’s and Debus’ episodes aired on October 25 and December 4, 2024, respectively.
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