If you happened to tune in to Jeopardy! recently, you may have seen a familiar face from our community.
Dr. Brianne Barker is an Associate Professor of Biology at Drew University, Valedictorian of the Camden High School Class of 1998, and recently, a one day Jeopardy! Champion. Her two-day cash winnings totaled $12,700 dollars during her run on the show, which aired from July 27th to 28th. As a student, she attended Camden Elementary School, Camden Middle School, and Camden High School. While demonstrating high academic achievement, she was also an accomplished field hockey goalkeeper, cello player, Mathletics competitor, and National Honor Society member. We recently caught up with one of Camden’s most prolific graduates to learn about her Jeopardy! experience, her memories as a Camden student, and more.
This article also appeared in the September edition of the Camden Connections Newsletter.
How does a prospective contestant work their way onto a show like Jeopardy? Tell us about that process from your point of view.
The process starts with an online test, currently "The Anytime Test", which you can take once per year on the Jeopardy website. The test is a 50 question test where you have 15 seconds per question. You do not learn your score on this test, but if you score well, you are invited to the next round of auditions. The next round is another similar 50 question test, this time conducted over Zoom. If you perform well on that test, you are invited to the final round of auditions, which involves playing a practice game and being interviewed on Zoom. Once you have completed the auditions, you are in the contestant pool and can be contacted any time within 18 months to be on the show. If you are not contacted, then you can start the process again. I made it through the entire audition process in 2018 and was not contacted. This time, I took the test in July 2021 and did the next two rounds of auditions that August. I was contacted about being on the show in April 2022, and filmed on May 17th.
After all of this, you get selected to start taping. What goes into preparing for a taping, and what happens on the day of the show?
I had always imagined the things I would do to prepare, especially the topics I would spend lots of time reading about. Unfortunately, none of that actually happened. Since I found out at the end of the semester, I really didn't have time to prepare much while grading and finishing up things for the semester. I watch Jeopardy! most nights and I read up on a few topics that commonly show up on Jeopardy! that are my weaknesses (Greek mythology, famous painters). I listened to an audiobook about world history while I did things around the house and I read "Secrets of the Buzzer" the weekend before I went. I flew to LA on May 16th and went to Sony studios for a COVID test. I then reported back to the studio at 7 a.m. on May 17. I had to wear one potential outfit that fit the criteria that they had sent and bring 4 others. There were 12 contestants: the person who was the reigning champion, 10 contestants for the week of shows, and one alternate. My fellow contestants were then brought to our "green room" and told to shut off our phones for the day. Because of COVID protocols, we did not spend time in the actual green room and instead were in the Wheel of Fortune studio, as they were finished filming for the season. We were then briefed on COVID, legal, and other information. We presented our outfits to the wardrobe department, who chose what we would wear and steamed any of the clothes that needed to be steamed. We had our hair and makeup professionally done. Then we went over to the Jeopardy! studio in order to film "Hometown Howdy" TV promos for our local affiliates. Mine was first because we were doing them in alphabetical order. They told us that they would make up a clue about us and we had to ring in with our buzzers and say "Who is Brianne Barker. Hey wait, that's me!" When I recorded mine the first time, they told me it was stiff and asked me to do it again. I don't think the second one was any better. They also told me afterwards that my outfit did not look good on camera and had me change. Needless to say, I was not looking forward to that TV promo, but it seemed fine when I saw it. (Between the outcome of that promo, the hair and makeup, and the way they made us look calm, I think the crew of Jeopardy! must be magic). We then played a couple of practice games so that we could practice with the buzzer system. I was very bad at the buzzer during rehearsal and rang in too early on most clues (your buzzer deactivates to let others in to beat you if you try to buzz in too early). Once that was over, they drew names to determine who would play in the first game of the day, which was the July 25th game. Those of us who were not playing were the studio audience as there was no outside audience allowed due to COVID. Since the 12 of us were sequestered together without phones for the day, we became very close and all cheered for each other. After filming the first two games, we were taken to the Sony cafeteria for lunch. After lunch, my name was drawn to play in the third game (Wednesday July 27) and they refreshed my hair and makeup and it was time to go! It felt like the whole thing took about 5 minutes. Once the first game was over, I went back to wardrobe to change and had my hair and makeup fixed up and then went back to play...I think it was maybe 15 minutes between games? After the second game, I had to fill out some paperwork and then went back to the audience to watch the final game of the season. We left the studio around 6pm and a few of us went out to dinner afterwards.
It's one thing to make the cut, but becoming a Jeopardy champion is a huge achievement. How did the game play out in your view?
The first game that I played was absolutely a dream come true. I had been particularly bad at the buzzer in rehearsal, so I went into the game just hoping that I could figure out the buzzer timing and hoping to make a good showing since the defending champion, Ed Coulson, was such a strong player. I was extremely excited to buzz into the first question and feel like I had mastered the buzzer a bit. I thought that I did about as well as I could have done during the first game, although I was overcome with nerves a bit during the second round and blanked for a little while. When I saw the category for Final Jeopardy, I did not feel confident that I would know the answer and considered betting $0 and maybe writing a joke answer. However, I decided that I would try to make a strategic wager, although Ed was far ahead and I assumed I would not be able to catch him. I was proud of myself for being able to name a contemporary of Milton for my final answer. I was very surprised that my modest wager (and Ed's large wager) ended up putting me on top! Honestly, I was so nervous that I don't remember large amounts of the first game and still am surprised when I watch the episode. I was a little sad to blank on the Final Jeopardy answer in the second game, but I can't second guess any part of the experience.
What was your experience like growing up here in Camden? What are some of your favorite memories from school?
My experience growing up in Camden was wonderful! I think that most of my best memories in general are memories of the fantastic community experience and support that were always present. I think one of my favorite memories was winning the regional championships in field hockey in my senior year in a shootout and being able to celebrate that experience with my teammates.
From your time at Camden, what staff members made the biggest impact on you as a student, and as an educator?
This is probably the hardest and most controversial question that I have been asked throughout this whole process! Both of my parents are retired Camden Elementary School teachers, and I grew up among many Camden staff members who were family friends that I have known most of my life. It is hard to imagine any aspect of my life without the impact of Camden staff members throughout.
What do you enjoy most about your work at Drew University?
My job is pretty cool because I get to spend my days thinking about/researching aspects of Biology that fascinate me and explaining them to others who also find them interesting. I really enjoy the ability to be creative in designing courses and new programs as well as designing experiments (which can be a little bit like being MacGyver). I enjoy the flexibility and autonomy that I have in my work to follow my passions towards things that are interesting to me. I also really like to be a part of a close community and to mentor students to help them become scientists and discover their strengths.
What advice would you give to today's students in the Camden Central School District?
I would tell today's students to explore your passions and spend your time on things that interest you instead of things that you think are the most "productive" towards your future career. Be open minded about the things that you try: you might be surprised by the things you are good at! I have read, studied and tried things widely and there are many things that I have done in my life that I never thought I would use that I now use every day. Look at all of the new things that you get to do as opportunities and enjoy them!