Plymouth’s Jonathan Fox’s Lifelong Dream Comes True on ‘Jeopardy!’

After years of dedication as a self-proclaimed "Jeopardy! junkie," Jonathan Fox of Plymouth is about to see his lifelong dream come true.

The skilled trivia local will compete on the iconic game show on Tuesday, November 12th, and he couldn’t be more thrilled.

We'll take "You Love to See It" for $500, Ken.

From Pub Trivia to Jeopardy!

Fox's love for trivia dates back to his teenage years when he would rush home from school to catch the show on TV at 4 p.m. That passion carried into adulthood, with regular pub trivia nights with his wife. Encouraged by friends who insisted he had the knowledge to make it on the show, Fox finally decided to take the leap.

“I just did it on a lark,” he said, adding that getting onto the show was more challenging than he anticipated. “They say it’s harder to get on Jeopardy! than it is to get into Harvard, and I bet that’s actually true.”

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Trivia Strengths and Weaknesses

Fox considers himself a “trivia generalist,” excelling in pop culture, sports, music and movies, while admitting that science and anagrams are his Achilles' heel.

“I just can’t visualize jumbled words,” he laughed.

However, he feels confident in most categories and looks forward to showcasing his knowledge.

Behind the Scenes with Ken Jennings

While contestants are kept separate from hosts for legal reasons, Fox was impressed by Ken Jennings during filming.

“He’s exactly what you see on TV – engaging, friendly, and incredibly quick-witted,” Fox said. He admired Jennings’ ability to recall jokes and references effortlessly.

Despite the excitement of being on set, Fox couldn't help but wish he had the chance to meet the late Alex Trebek.

“Alex is so iconic,” he said, noting that everyone involved with the show still speaks of Trebek in reverent tones. “It would have been the cherry on top to meet him, but Ken Jennings was pretty cool to begin with.”

A Viewing Party in Plymouth

As the episode airs at 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, November 12, Fox plans to watch from his living room, possibly with a Zoom party to include friends.

“It’s a school night, so it’s hard to get everyone together in one place,” he said.

Even though he already knows the outcome, Fox is excited for one special moment: hearing the legendary voice of Johnny Gilbert introduce him. Due to Gilbert’s age, his voiceovers are prerecorded, and this will be Fox’s first time hearing his name announced by the iconic announcer.

So tune in on Tuesday night to watch Plymouth’s own Jonathan Fox test his trivia skill on Jeopardy!