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Exciting news: I won Celebrity Jeopardy!
The moment has finally arrived! I can now announce that I am the champion of season 3 of Celebrity Jeopardy! After keeping this secret since the finals were filmed in November 2024, the thrill of revealing it is indescribable. I hope you can forgive my silence, as I was bound by confidentiality agreements. It has been quite a journey, discussing my time on the show while holding back the fact that I emerged victorious. But now, the suspense is over, and I am proud to declare myself the title-holder of America’s smartest celebrity!
The real prize: supporting public education
Winning Celebrity Jeopardy! is not just about the title; it comes with a million-dollar prize that I am thrilled to direct towards a noble cause. I played for DonorsChoose, a fantastic organization that helps public school teachers and administrators raise funds for essential supplies, musical instruments, field trips, and other necessities that should be covered by government funding. I’ve spoken highly of DonorsChoose many times, and it brings me immense joy to contribute significantly to their mission of supporting schoolchildren across America. In my own humorous way, I joked that I might as well be the Secretary of Education now—if Linda McMahon wants to reclaim the title, she’ll have to challenge me!
A memorable experience on Celebrity Jeopardy!
Participating in Celebrity Jeopardy! was a surreal experience. Initially, I was honored just to be invited, feeling like a celebrity in my own right. My goal for the first episode was simply to avoid embarrassment, and thankfully, I was able to achieve that. My wife can attest to my wealth of random knowledge, which often comes in handy during conversations. Despite my focus on social justice, I have eclectic interests, and apparently, a lot of trivia stored in my brain. I even joked about my extensive use of Wikipedia during the show, which is a testament to my love for learning.
Unexpected trivia and family bonding
Interestingly, just before the finals, I found myself helping my ten-year-old daughter, Juno, with her homework. She mentioned Jane Seymour as the wife of King Henry VIII, and I quickly thought she must be mistaken. However, after looking it up, I realized she was correct! It was a great reminder of how knowledge is interconnected. This fun little trivia session spiraled into me researching Stacy Keach, leading to a delightful rabbit hole of knowledge. My mind works in fascinating ways, and this curiosity is something I cherish.
Preparing for the finals
While I didn’t prepare in a traditional sense for Celebrity Jeopardy!, I have been absorbing random information throughout my life. By the time I won the quarterfinals against Max Greenfield and Camilla Luddington, I felt like I was already in the bonus round. In the semifinals, I faced off against Jackie Tohn and my friend, the talented comedian Margaret Cho. Margaret came fully prepared, having watched countless episodes of Jeopardy! to strategize. It was intimidating to see her so focused, but it reminded me that we were all there for the same purpose: to have fun and support a good cause.
The thrill of competition
The finals were an emotional rollercoaster. Competing against Robin Thede and David Friedberg, I felt grateful that my family could join me for this pivotal moment. My daughter Juno even asked questions about how Jeopardy! worked on the way to the studio. We crafted a mock category about her favorite artist, Olivia Rodrigo, which added a personal touch to the experience. Olivia, a phenomenal talent, has made waves in the music industry, and Juno’s admiration for her is a joy to witness.
Memorable moments during the competition
During the finals, when host Ken Jennings inquired about my preparation, I shared the story of Juno and Olivia Rodrigo. The audience loved it, especially when the camera panned to Juno, who was both proud and slightly embarrassed. The serendipity continued when a question about Olivia Rodrigo’s song “Driver’s License” came up, and I buzzed in with excitement. That moment was exhilarating and felt like the perfect culmination of everything leading up to my victory.
Giving back to education
After winning, I was overwhelmed with emotion. The funds from my victory will significantly impact public education, allowing me to wipe out numerous projects in the Oakland Unified School District and Mobile, AL, where my dad lives. Additionally, we are matching donations for projects in cities where I perform stand-up comedy, creating a ripple effect of generosity. If anyone is inspired to contribute, DonorsChoose will match your donations, amplifying the impact.
Looking ahead
This experience has been transformative, and I have exciting plans for the future. I can’t wait to share more about our initiatives and how we can all contribute to education. Meanwhile, I’m thrilled to announce a special event where I’ll be discussing Martin Scorsese’s film Casino alongside Robert De Niro at the Tribeca Film Festival. It’s a dream come true to engage in such a conversation!
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Your support encourages us all to be our own personal Secretaries of Education. Let’s keep the momentum going and change lives together!