Host Colin Jost who does the “Weekend Updates” on “Saturday Night Live (SNL) is probably the best person for the hosting job of Jeopardy’s new spin-off, “Pop Culture Jeopardy.” Because it’s the complete polar opposite from the more serious “Jeopardy” for hardcore quiz game junkies, and sometimes featuring contestants with IQs of the genius level.

These contestants on “Pop Culture Jeopardy” game show are, as Colin put it, also super smart and it’s entertaining to watch them answer Pop culture questions. Or, are they mainly part of the general population who are very obsessed with pop culture in general?

One of the contestants stated that he had also been on the “Sports Jeopardy” Spin Off, and he is working his way onto all of the spin-offs until he gets to the main show. He also said he was on the season that “Jeopardy” won an Emmy, so he feels like he also won an Emmy. Colin responded that he watched the show that season, so he also feels like he won an Emmy for Jeopardy. Lol.

Colorful Contestants!

POP CULTURE JEOPARDY Set, Hollywood Junket

The teams of contestants of groups of three play against each other. At first it may seem a bit confusing. But, as a viewer, once you get the rhythm and realize that it’s very organized, it all makes sense.

Each team creates their own name that is related to something in pop culture. For example, one team called themselves “Dick Tracy Morgan Freeman.” Another team was called “Pasta Vista.” And, “Trivia Rodrigo” was another catchy one! After the first team initially starts the game by choosing a category, whomever buzzes in first, the main light on their podium lit up only the name of that contestant buzzing-in. Each contestant has their own buzzers.

How they handled the “Daily Double” is that the team who got it, agreed on a sum amount to wager. Most of the time they made it a “true daily double,” meaning that they double their full amount.

In the Daily Double, the group of three contestants get 8 seconds to answer, and must work quickly together to arrive at one answer.

When contestants get a “Triple Play” they have to answer a three-part question that must be answered by all three contestants, one each. They each had to know one of the answers in order to earn it. If they fail, then an opposing team can buzz-in and try to answer it.

Some of the categories are: Stuff Celebrities Say; Competition Show Losers; Fruit Flavors; AXE Woman; Content Creators; Thirst Traps.

One of the answers was Martha Stewart to the “Thirst Trap” category question regarding her posing on a magazine cover in a bikini. Another one was of Christiano Ronaldo for his shirtless photo on Instagram. Colin joked about how he played nine years of soccer in school and never had a physique like Christiano Ronaldo. He said in fact, he gained weight….”I became the ball,” Colin said.

Game Play:

As Colin put it, this is a game show for the people who can finally put their reality show knowledge to use, and make bank while doing it. Well, maybe. Because these contestants play for points the whole game.

Advancing contestants win a spot to move on to the Semi Finals, then hopefully the finals in this tournament to win the grand prize of $300,000! The losing teams walk away with $1,500. That’s $500 for each team member.

More notable, only a comedian such as Colin Jost himself would be able to pull-off the reading of such answers that may not fit into the demure of someone more of the serious side

One correct answer came from a question in a video from his wife Scarlett Johansson, “Lost in Translation,” one of her films. One contestant thought it was her name that was the answer.

Burning Questions For Colin!

POP CULTURE JEOPARDY Set, host Colin Jost

After the first round of taping, Colin allows for a Q&A with audience members. When asked who was the funniest person he’s worked with, his answer was Will Farrel because he masters any sketch that SNL throws at him, and genuinely is a nice person.

Colin also said that he’s looking forward to the upcoming new SNL season because the show will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. Colin said when he was 22-years-old, he submitted 8 sketch drafts to 30 Rock by mailing them in a manila envelope. Tina Fey was the head writer at the time and decided to give him a shot. Colin said he started out in the writer’s room.

Playing Fake Jeopardy!

Before the start of each game, contestants play a mock version of the game with the stage manager who acts as the host. This helps them to get a feel for playing the game in real life, and the timing of it all as well as working with their teammates. There’s a lot of moving parts to consider to ensure everything runs smoothly.

This also gives producers a chance to work out any kinks with the tech department of the show and gives the contestants a chance to realize any questions or snags. In Final Jeopardy, it was revealed that the pens that the contestants write their answers with, stop working after the 30 seconds are up.

COMING SOON!

There were four episodes being filmed per day for approximately two weeks. “Pop Culture Jeopardy” will stream on Amazon this Fall.  Update!  The series starts streaming on December 4th, 2024.