A: TONIGHT AT 6 P.M. ON KRQE
‘I’m amazed that I made it on,’ says Quin Lewellen
Q: When is Albuquerque’s Quin Lewellen going to be on the TV show “Jeopardy”?
Call it beginner’s luck. Quin Lewellen is grateful to have it.
The Albuquerque-based graphic designer took a chance in June 2017 and took the 50-question online quiz for the TV show “Jeopardy!”
It was his first time trying out for the show, so he expected nothing of it.
A month later, he was notified that he was one of 2,500 people selected to try out in person.
“I tried out in Denver, and met a bunch of people and played fake games of ‘Jeopardy!’” he says. “I thought I did pretty good. About six weeks later, I was told I made the show.”
Lewellen flew to California where he filmed for a day in Sony Pictures Studios’ Stage 10 in Culver City on Nov. 8.
His episode will air at 6 p.m. tonight on KRQE.
Lewellen grew up in Texas and always has been a fan of the long-running TV show. Being in the studio, he enjoyed the experience.
“I’ve been watching ‘Jeopardy!’ since I was 10 years old,” he says. “It’s a weird thing to be in a place that you’ve seen on TV. The stage was amazing and
everything was very well built.”
While waiting to film his episode, he says all the contestants are audience members until they are called for the show.
He also got a chance to meet host Alex Trebek.
“Alex keeps to himself and you mostly deal with the contestant coordinators,” he says. “You get to meet him when you play the game. It’s a surreal experience.”
Lewellen flew out with his wife and a few friends, who supported him during the taping.
“They are super excited for me,” he says. “My brother had tried out for the college tournament at one point. I’m amazed that I made it on.”
Lewellen has one piece of advice for making it on the show.
“The best preparation for ‘Jeopardy!’ is watching ‘Jeopardy!’ ” he says with a laugh. “You can learn a lot just by watching the show.”
Lewellen will have a viewing party with his friends and family today at Gecko’s on Academy NE.