Former Contestants Reveal What It’s Really Like Behind the ‘Jeopardy!’ Podium

"Jeopardy!" is a household name for a reason. This fun game show's been running since March 30, 1964, although on different networks. If you ever want to watch a show where people compete for money by answering a question, with a question, "Jeopardy!" has over 9,000 episodes ready to watch.

But what about the contestants? Have you ever sat and watched an episode where someone's lost (or won) and wondered what their experience was actually like?

To find out, 24/7 Tempo scoured the internet, paying close attention to Reddit and other forum posts where "Jeopardy!" contestants discuss their time on the show. Click through to find out what it's really like.

One Reddit user, the one who started a post asking about other people's experiences on the show, had only one word for their experience: terrifying.

Honestly, this response and reaction make sense. Very few people are confident and unafraid enough to get on a filmed game show that millions of viewers watch to compete for money. It's easy to forget everything because of nerves or the surrealness of the opportunity.

Quite a few people on the internet recall feeling imposter syndrome. Before the show, they practiced, trained, and reviewed their trivia knowledge, only to forget everything right when it was time to start. Also, they compared themselves with the other contestants who were all smart, experiencing imposter syndrome.

Even though it's a terrifying and anxiety-inducing experience at first, many people remember their time on the show as super cool. How many people get to say they were on "Jeopardy?" Not many people.

On another Reddit post, a former contestant was shocked at how many people recognized them after their episode aired. They didn't realize how large a reach the show had and continues to have today. An average of nearly 7 million people watch this show.

Exciting opportunities and experiences are simultaneously exhausting. When filming for an episode, you have to be alert mentally and standing upright and ready. Because of this, many people were surprised to feel physically and mentally exhausted. Some attributed their physical exhaustion to nerves and tension.

What we see on TV is magic. Before the actual games start, contestants go through rehearsal and a little bit of training to know what to do and where to go.

Pretty much everyone online agrees that being a contestant, even if you didn't win the show, is the coolest fun fact to have. Do you think anyone believes them?

If you go online and see what former contestants say, they typically compare getting to compete on "Jeopardy" to the Olympics. Even if they didn't win, it was an honor to get selected, leaving them feeling super accomplished.

For many contestants, being on the show was a dream come true. This isn't surprising considering the show's been airing for over 50 years. So many people who grew up watching the show and quizzing themselves got a chance to win.

While researching for this slideshow, there was something almost everyone agreed on: given another chance, they'd compete again in a heartbeat. And could you blame them?

A lot of "Jeopardy" contestants were scared to compete and yet got on the show anyway. Thankfully, they were met with kind and helpful crew members who showed them where to go and what to do with patience and ease.

One Reddit user remembers feeling so nervous that they forgot to smile. Because of this, the TV crew in the background had to remind them constantly.

While it's a game show and competition, that doesn't mean the contestants don't become friends. Many of the contestants have told stories online that they've remained great friends and continue to communicate. It's understandable as to why. Who else can you share the experience with other than those who've been on the show with you?

Not everyone shares this opinion, but it's enough people to mention it. After the show, quite a few former contestants and even winners stop watching the show. Now, being on it and knowing how it's filmed, the magic is gone. Still, the really cool memory of being a contestant remains.

Not only do some people make friends, but there is an alumni group where contestants chat and meet other former players. It's constantly mentioned on Reddit and beloved. Some alumni even form trivia groups, meet up for lunch, and chat daily. The "Jeopardy" community is strong.