The leader of this cherished quiz show, known for its challenging name, is currently inundated with applications from individuals eager to join its team and create clues, which are uniquely framed as answers. If you responded with, “What is ‘Jeopardy!’?” you might be exactly who the program seeks.
Earlier this month, “Jeopardy!” took an unprecedented step by opening its writer recruitment to the general public, inviting anyone who is willing and capable to apply for the position, provided they can navigate a demanding selection process appropriate for a program associated with some of the brightest minds in the nation.
“Our ‘Jeopardy!’ writers are not just exceptionally intelligent; they also produce a significant volume of work, which is why we needed to evaluate candidates on their ability to write extensively,” explained Michael Davies, the show’s executive producer, during his first discussion regarding the search for a new team member.
The “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to join the show’s team of nine writers became available following the retirement of Jim Rhine, who had been part of the show for 30 years. Davies, an experienced producer known for bringing “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to American television, noted that typically, quiz shows recruit from within their tight-knit circles or through referrals of subject matter experts—until now. “This is a process we’ve never implemented before,” Davies remarked. “We’ve never publicly advertised for a writing position. The volume of applications has been astonishing.”
Upon the initial posting of the job online, it sparked a significant amount of media coverage that likely contributed to the surge in applications. As the deadline for submissions passed on July 10, Davies mentioned that he has yet to finalize the total number of applicants but estimates it could reach around 1,000, all of whom he and his senior team will need to review. “We didn’t anticipate such a large response, and we need to establish a sorting process,” he added.
According to the job description, the selected individual will be tasked with crafting an average of eight categories weekly (each meeting the show’s strict standards, which excludes the use of AI or Wikipedia), generating last-minute replacement clues on taping days, and providing quick research support during filming to aid in judging during gameplay. This position, located at the Sony Pictures Entertainment studio lot in Culver City, California, offers a potential salary of up to $172,000.
Applicants were required to first complete the same online test that contestants face, which includes answering 50 clues. Following that, they needed to submit 12 writing samples for potential “Jeopardy!” and “Double Jeopardy!” rounds (spanning categories such as history and geography, along with pop culture and notable figures), each containing five questions, titled as they chose, and citing sources for verification. Additionally, they had to create three samples for the notoriously challenging “Final Jeopardy!” clue, along with a cover letter and resume.
While reviewing the writing samples—conducted anonymously to ensure fairness—Davies expressed that he is looking for more than mere facts. A compelling “Jeopardy!” clue, in his view, “should stand out” and possess an element of fun and creativity, reflecting the nature of the game. “Anyone can write a ‘Jeopardy!’ clue,” he stated, “but to truly meet the expectations of these remarkable contestants who have dedicated their lives to knowledge, we owe them some exceptional writing.”
A potential drawback for applicants? Those who included the term “trivia” in their application. “We do not refer to our content as trivia at ‘Jeopardy!’,” Davies clarified. “We see our work as significant. We consider it to be subjects, facts, and knowledge that a sophisticated, modern American should be acquainted with.”
As per Davies, the current writers are a varied group, some of whom have experience with “Star Trek” or in late-night television, yet they all share a passion for reading and a curiosity about the world. A typical week involves working in a secure on-site library—ensuring no clues are leaked—on various categories assigned by the show’s two head writers or inspired by individual creativity. Davies frequently observes writers wandering the studio lot engrossed in books or listening to music to ignite their creative inspirations. “Like any writer, they seek inspiration,” he noted, “and it can be found in numerous places.”
The writers’ submissions are subsequently fact-checked by a team of researchers who may even make calls—for instance, to a famous cemetery housing a notable individual—to validate and confirm the 61 clues that host Ken Jennings will read during each episode. Some researchers occasionally transition to writing roles, and Davies mentioned that several have expressed interest in applying for this new position.
“Last year, we aired 25,687 clues across all the various versions,” Davies stated, referring to various celebrity, college, masters, and pop culture “Jeopardy!” adaptations. “It’s a constant production line, and we require additional writers to help maintain that output.”
After Davies and his team review all submissions and select their top choices, he anticipates inviting around a dozen candidates to the interview stage. This will provide an opportunity for him to gain deeper insights into what drives each writer. “It’s about being authentic,” he remarked. “What do you read? What do you watch? What captures your interest to the point that it becomes a ‘Jeopardy!’ clue?”
Davies aims to have the new hire start before filming for the show’s 43rd season begins at the end of August, but achieving this will require him to work at a pace comparable to that of the contestants with their buzzers. “I’ve never received this many applications for a writing position before,” Davies remarked. “However, that’s a favorable challenge, and it reflects the program’s strong fan base.”
