Connellsville woman wins big on Jeopardy
CONNELLSVILLE — It took nearly two years for resident Linda Percy to get the telephone call she had hoped for to be a contestant on the television game show Jeopardy where she scored big in July, winning $72,401.
“I’ve wanted to be on the show for years,” said Percy, who also plays it on her home computer.
The shows that Percy competed on aired July 22, 25, 26 and 27 with Percy earning $31,600 the first day.
Percy said she has watched Jeopardy regularly over the years and decided to try out so she took the online test in January 2009.
From there, Percy received a phone call that April for an audition in Washington, D.C., but didn’t get the official phone call of being selected as a contestant until last February.
“I was very surprised since the initial rule of thumb is that they hold your file for about a year to one-and-a-half years before you’re called,” said Percy.
While in D.C., Percy said contestants participated in a mock show that included 50 questions.Percy then went on to Los Angeles for two days where the show is taped.
A former physician at Uniontown and Highlands hospitals, Percy said she’s always welcomed challenges and being on Jeopardy was always on her mind, especially since it is her favorite TV show.
According to Percy, it was difficult to study for the online test as well as for the show since it can’t be certain what types of questions will be asked.
Percy added a person taking the online test has 10 seconds to answer the question before it automatically goes to the next one.
As a contestant, Percy said she got to meet Alex Trebec, the show’s host, in person.
Percy noted she was at the studio where they tape five shows a day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with the one she was featured on the last regular show of the 2011 season.
Percy remained in first place for three days before dropping to second place on the fourth day, automatically earning $2,000.
Percy said the third-place winner also automatically receives $1,000.
One question that hit close to home for Percy was to name the two biggest cities in Pennsylvania.
“When I got home I watched myself on TV,” said Percy.
At this time Percy said she isn’t sure what she will do with the money she won on the program, but did say she was also a former contestant on “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” in 2000 winning $32,000.
“I enjoyed it,” said Percy.
, adding she was going to take a break for now from trying out for game shows.