Jeopardy! hops to streaming for a new spin-off series, here's what you need to know

Lately, it seems like there are new trivia shows coming out every few months, but it's hard for them to compete with the classics. But what trivia competition is more classic than Jeopardy?

We just learned that the trivia juggernaut is teaming up with Prime Video for its first proper sequel, and fans are eager for more information. The new series is currently titled Pop Culture Jeopardy, and it's intended to honor those whose trivia knowledge is more popular than academic.

The announcement came amidst Amazon's recent presentation on May 14, 2024, where they shared updates on the biggest changes coming for the company and its media off-shoot. Those worried that Prime Video won't be able to manage this kind of show should check out their first game show, The 1% Club, which Prime members can see on May 23.

According to the announcement, Pop Culture Jeopardy "combines the academic rigor of Jeopardy! with the excitement and unpredictability of pop culture." According to Suzanne Prete, the head of game shows at Sony:

"Pop Culture Jeopardy! is going to be a nail-biter for game show enthusiasts who can expect to see teams competing at the highest level of Jeopardy! combined with a fresh twist of pop culture Olympics for the mind. It’s going to be a must-watch for long-time viewers and new fans alike."

This announcement prompts plenty of questions for the Jeopardy! fan community. Will this new addition change up the format of the original show? How exactly do they plan to define pop culture? Perhaps one of the most pivotal questions is: who is set to host?

Here is everything we know about the spin-off so far.

How will Pop Culture Jeopardy work?

It's still very early days for this spin-off, but we do have some information about how it's intended to function. Rather than having three individuals competing against each other, Pop Culture Jeopardy is expected to follow a team structure, with three contestants per team.

Despite this change, the most iconic element of Jeopardy! is expected to stay the same. The trivia will still come in the form of answers, to which the contestants will have to answer with the applicable question.

It's unclear if the clues will still be pulled from the iconic board, but it's fair to assume that there will still be some version of traditional elements like Daily Doubles, Double Jeopardy, and the famous Final Jeopardy music.

What exactly does 'Pop Culture' entail?

One of the most intriguing (and frustrating) elements of Jeopardy! has always been how unpredictable it is. There are several topics that come up repeatedly, but it's entirely possible for a contestant to be faced with categories they have never studied.

By focusing on a sub-genre of the trivia field, it's going to be a lot harder to surprise contestants (and a lot easier for people to study). While something like Pop Culture is still a pretty wide topic, contestants don't have to worry about memorizing geography or major historical events.

With that being said, what will be included? For example, it's easy to call books like Harry Potter and The Hunger Games pop culture, but should classics like Pride and Prejudice and 1984 count? Likewise, something like opera might not fit most people's definition, but modern Broadway probably does. Where do they draw the line?

This is sure to be a question that the Pop Culture Jeopardy writers will have to seriously consider. What we do know is that categories from "Alternative Rock to The Avengers; Broadway to MMA; Gen Z to Zendaya” are expected to be included.

According to the official FAQs, topics may cover anything from the following list: "Movies, TV, Music, Broadway, Books, Social Media, Sports, Fashion, Comic-Con, Current & Iconic Events, Fads & Trends, and more."

Who will host?

At the moment, there haven't been any announcements on who is expected to be the face of this new series. This is probably the most complicated part of the process, as it was such a tricky issue for the original show.

After the death of beloved host Alex Trebek, it took over a year to get a new permanent host. Even then, there was (and still is) a lot of frustration on the part of the fans at how both Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik managed their new hosting duties. Bialik stepped back in 2023 to support the writer's strike, which eventually led to her being removed from the series altogether.

However, Michael Davies (who is set to be executive producer for the new series) suggested back in February that "We hope to continue working with her on primetime versions.” Now that there is a new streaming version in the works, could Bialik be in line to become the full host here?

This is still an open question, but it seems likely that the show will be hosted by a figure with some pop culture cred of their own. If not Bialik, someone like LeVar Burton, who created and hosted Reading Rainbow, or even Dolly Parton, who has dedicated her wealth to providing children access to books, would be a strong fit.

How groundbreaking is this idea?

While the announcements have made it clear that this is a revolutionary announcement for the Jeopardy! franchise, it isn't quite accurate to call it the series' first spin-off. After all, there have been a few other attempts to focus in on specialized topics before.

Back in 1998, Rock & Roll Jeopardy! debuted on VH1. That series ran for 100 episodes before ending in 2001. Sports Jeopardy then aired on Crackle from 2014 to 2016. There have also been numerous sports-themed video game versions.

The pop culture twist is new, but it may not be the only spin-off on the way. Back in 2022, Michael Davies teased the idea of "more 'Jeopardy!,' not less, more versions" during the Daytime Emmy Awards. This may be just the tip of the iceberg in what Davies and his fellow executives plan to be a vast Jeopardy! empire.

How can you apply?

The most important question of all is how people can audition for the new show, and we're happy to say we have the answer! The official Jeopardy! page on X just announced how to sign up to be on Pop Culture Jeopardy.

The eligibility requirements are pretty basic. Anybody who is over the age of 18 from the United States or Canada has the opportunity to apply. Application for or even participation on the original series will not prevent contestants from participating in Pop Culture Jeopardy.

You can apply now on the Jeopardy! website by taking the Pop Culture Anytime test. Here are the rules on how to build your team and qualify to compete in the first season.

"1. Figure out who you want your team to be! You need to identify a team before you apply.
2. Before anyone on your team can take the test, one member will need to register and CREATE A NEW TEAM.
3. After they have registered, they will receive a team code and link to be able to share with their teammates.
4. The other two players will then use their team code to register under JOIN AN EXISTING TEAM."

The test consists of 50 questions, with up to 15 seconds to answer each. While you may have the opportunity to try again if you have technical issues while completing the test, you are not allowed to complete the test more than once per season.

After each team member has completed their test, the scores will be put together to create a team score. Those who pass will hear from the Jeopardy! contestant department within three months, when they will have the opportunity to submit an application and participate in a virtual audition.

Whoever gets the go-ahead to film will have to make their way to Culver City, California, where the show will film at Sony Pictures Studios.