Spring City resident appears on ‘Jeopardy!’

Spring City residents should not have been surprised when they tuned into “Jeopardy!” last night and saw a familiar face behind one of the contestant podiums.

Cathy Subick, 53, an architectural conservator from Spring City, was set to appear on the show Thursday and, according to Subick, being selected left her completely surprised.

“The only reason I even took the test was because my mother-in-law has been on me for about a year or more to take the test. So I figured I’d do it and I took it in January of 2016. I thought that would be the end of it. I got an email a month or two later asking me to schedule an audition,” said Subick.

In order to compete on the show, potential contestants must set up a profile to register for the online test, receiving updates about the test and auditions. The online test consists of 50 categories and 50 clues.

A random selection process is then done from among all applicants who have passed the online test, and invitations are sent out until all available spots are filled. The audition then includes another similar online test, a mock version of the game and an interview. Those who participate in the in-person audition remain in an applicant pool for 18 months following the date of their audition.

“I went to Washington to go and meet with them and take a written test,” Subick explained. “You play a few rounds and you’re in the pool for 18 months. They pick 400 out of about 3,000. Again, I thought that was the end of it because at least half the people had been there before. I was kind of floored when I got a call to come to California.”

Despite her surprise, Subick said the experience was enjoyable.

“It was fun. The people are very energetic and friendly and I met a lot of interesting people. Having gone to California, I met 10 other competitors and a lot of people seemed to be in the same situation as I was. That was the most fun, meeting a lot of people,” Subick said.

Among those people, of course, was the show’s host, Alex Trebek.

Subick said meeting him was just how she expected it would be.

“He was very gracious and that’s the best way I can describe him. He made a point of talking to everybody and especially friends and relatives. He was very charming just as you might expect,” she said.

The most difficult part, Subick said, was the timing of the button.

“The hardest part was the button. The timing of it is hard. There’s a light that goes on and you have to wait for it. I jumped the gun several times, much to my chagrin. I found the timing to be difficult,” she said.

Subick’s appearance on Jeopardy was scheduled to air on Thursday.

SUBMITTED PHOTO Cathy Subick of Spring City made her debut as a contestant on “Jeopardy!” last night.