For the first time in a long time, Jeopardy! is hiring. The game show is looking to hire a new clue writer. Find out how much they make and how to apply.
The ideal candidate for this job should “demonstrate wit and clarity” so they can formulate clues using Jeopardy!‘s question-and-answer format, according to the Sony Pictures website. The person who gets the job also needs a lot of creativity and “excellent research skills.”
The clue writer must be willing to work in Culver City, California, and write an average of eight categories per week, and show sources for the material that doesn’t include Wikipedia or AI. The job pay ranges from $132,000 to $178,00, along with incentives and benefits. The pay depends on the person’s experience, level of education, and more.
The pay range is so high because the job is very hard to get. Candidates must take the Jeopardy! Anytime Test and answer 50 questions within 15 seconds each. They must also submit six categories for the Jeopardy and Double Jeopardy rounds with five clues each. The show gives candidates 12 topics to choose from, but they must come up with their own title.
Three Final Jeopardy categories and clues must also be submitted. All of the clues must be accompanied by sources. The candidate must submit a writing sample release and a resume and cover letter by July 10.
Other duties of the job include contributing to writers’ meetings with feedback on material, writing test material when needed, assisting with last-minute replacement clues and rewrites, as well as providing on-stage research to help with tape-day judging. A four-year college degree is required, as well as “exceptional communication, grammar, and writing skills.” Jeopardy! would prefer the person hired is a member of the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and be familiar with FileMaker Pro.
IMDb lists only about 10 writers involved with the show currently, which include a former Seinfeld writer, a Star Trek: Voyager writer, and an ex-NYC doorman. Most of them have been on the game show since the 1990s.
Do you think you have what it takes to work on America’s most popular quiz show? You have two days left.
Jeopardy!, weekdays, check local listings, stream next day on Hulu & Peacock