Dr. Donna Bowman, a professor in the University of Central Arkansas’s Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, will take her place behind the “Jeopardy!” podium Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. CST on KATV Channel 7.
Dr. Donna Bowman, a professor in the University of Central Arkansas’s Norbert O. Schedler Honors College, will take her place behind the “Jeopardy!” podium Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. CST on KATV Channel 7.
For Bowman, appearing on the iconic television quiz show represents the culmination of years of preparation and persistence that began well before she ever received an invitation to compete.
“I’ve been trying to get on the show for seven or eight years,” Bowman said.
She began taking the online contestant test before the COVID-19 pandemic and eventually made it through the complete audition process and into the contestant pool once before. Her interest in competitive trivia grew in 2015, when she joined an online trivia league. Many of her fellow league members had appeared on “Jeopardy!,” inspiring her to pursue the opportunity herself.
The show has also been a longstanding part of Bowman’s family life.
“We’ve watched ‘Jeopardy!’ as a family for most of my oldest son’s life,” she said.
Her son, who shares a particular fascination with game shows, their history, records and archives, even helped her prepare for one of the show’s more strategic elements.
“He helped me practice ‘Final Jeopardy’ wagering, since that’s something most people don’t play along with at home, but there’s a lot of theory to it,” Bowman explained.
The opportunity finally became a reality in August, when Bowman received what contestants affectionately refer to as “the call.” She traveled to the studio for taping at the end of September. Then came perhaps the most challenging part of the experience: keeping the news to herself.
“I had to keep it secret for a whole month, and that was excruciating,” she said.
Fortunately, Bowman and the other contestants who taped that day formed a group chat, giving them an opportunity to share the experience with one another while waiting for their episodes to air.
While the prospect of competing on national television naturally brought some nerves, Bowman said the experience itself quickly put her at ease.
“The biggest thing I want people to know about playing ‘Jeopardy!’ is that it is so much fun,” she said. “I was nervous about falling flat on my face, but the way they treat you and prepare you, all that fear goes away before you play.”
And, for anyone who has ever considered auditioning, Bowman has an enthusiastic recommendation: go for it.
“If you like playing along at home, please go to the website and take the ‘Anytime Test’ and get into the audition system,” she encouraged. “If you get the chance to play for real, you will have a wonderful time, win or lose.
“I think everyone should audition!”
The UCA community will have an opportunity to cheer Bowman on when her episode of “Jeopardy!” airs Tuesday, Nov. 10, at 4:30 p.m. CST. The Honors College will host a watch party in Schichtl 115. Whether viewers are longtime fans of the show or simply tuning in to support a familiar face, they can look forward to seeing a UCA faculty member turn years of trivia enthusiasm into a national television appearance.