♪♪
From the Alex Trebek Stage at Sony Pictures Studios,
this is "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
Introducing tonight's contestants --
An actor from Marlboro Township, New Jersey,
she starred as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz
on the world's most-watched network comedy,
"The Big Bang Theory,"
and she'll serve as an executive producer and star
in the upcoming "Night Court" revival.
Here she is, Melissa Rauch.
A comedian from Chicago,
his movie "Fire Island,"
which he wrote, produced, and starred in,
premiered to critical acclaim this past summer,
and he can currently be seen alongside Maya Rudolph
in the Apple TV+ series "Loot."
Please welcome Joel Kim Booster.
And an actor from Queens, New York --
For nine seasons, he starred as the lead
of "Everybody Loves Raymond."
His list of feature film credits include
Martin Scorsese's "The Irishman,"
"The Big Sick," and the "Ice Age" franchise.
Ladies and gentlemen, Ray Romano.
[ Cheers and applause ]
And now here is the host of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" --
Mayim Bialik!
Thank you, Johnny Gilbert.
And welcome back to another unpredictable episode
of "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
They say all the world's a stage,
but these three will soon find out
that none of them is quite like ours,
and on the Alex Trebek Stage,
you can win $1 million for charity.
At this point, 12 of our 27 celebrities
have been eliminated.
We know that Ike Barinholtz is headed to the finals
after winning our first semifinal game.
What we don't know is who will be joining John Michael Higgins
and Wil Wheaton in the second semifinal.
Joel, Melissa, and Ray, it could be you.
Welcome and good luck.
Let's take a look at your categories
for the Jeopardy! round.
We'll start with...
Joel: Hm.
[ Ray chuckles ]
Mayim: Ray, you'll select first.
Alright, let's do it. Rain, Man for $100.
Ray.
What is the Amazon?
Yes.
Rain, Man, $200.
Ray.
What is a windshield wiper?
That's correct.
Rain, Man, $300.
Ray.
Who is Gene Kelly?
Correct. Yikes.
[ Laughs ] Rain, Man, $400.
Joel. What is Saturn?
Correct.
Let's finish out the category for $500.
Joel. What is fire and brimstone?
That's correct.
Let's do Fire Island for $100.
[ Beep ]
"What is O'ahu?"
Joel, select.
Let's do Big Blank for $100.
Joel. What is Gotham?
No.
Ray. What is the Big Apple?
That's correct.
Big, $200.
Ray.
What is big shoes?
That's correct.
Big, $300.
Step right up, ladies and gents.
From acrobats to clown cars,
we've got it all inside this structure.
Joel. What is a big top?
Yes.
Let's do Big Blank for $400.
Joel. What is "The Big Short"?
Correct.
Let's do Big Blank for $500.
Joel. What is a big stick?
That's right.
Let's do Ready For My Nude Scene for $100.
Ray. What is "Friends"?
Yes.
Nude Scene, $200.
Seen here, he dropped trou in "Nightmare Alley."
Not so much of a nightmare for some.
Melissa.
Who is Bradley Cooper?
That is correct.
I'll do Ready For My Nude Scene, $300.
Ray.
Who is Jonah Hill?
No. No!
Mayim: Joel. Who is Leonardo DiCaprio?
That's him.
Ready For My Nude Scene, $400.
Melissa. Who is Dr. Ken?
That is correct -- Ken Jeong.
And we're actually gonna take a commercial break.
Our celebrities are warming up to the bright lights
of the Alex Trebek Stage.
Joel, Melissa, and Ray,
let's see which one of you can start to pull away
from the others when "Celebrity Jeopardy!" returns.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Here is a "Celebrity Jeopardy!" Clue For You.
What is a big stick?
Joel was loud and clear on a $500 clue.
Theodore Roosevelt first used,
"Speak softly and carry a big stick,"
in a letter boasting about facing down
party boss Thomas Platt.
We'll be right back with the correct response.
Before the break, we asked,
the assassination
of this man...
The correct response...
♪♪
Welcome back to "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
What a pleasure it is to welcome Melissa Rauch,
my -- my dear friend and my next-door neighbor in our dressing rooms
for almost a decade on "The Big Bang Theory."
Melissa, you're an advocate for women's health.
You are such a wonderful friend,
an incredibly talented writer and comedian.
Tell us about the charity you're playing for today.
I'm playing for Oscar's Kids,
which is a pediatric cancer charity
that I co-founded
in honor of an incredible little boy named Oscar Keogh,
who passed away of a terminal pediatric cancer called DIPG
at 5 years old.
And the charity has chapters in both the U. S. and Ireland.
And our mission is to raise desperately needed funding
for pediatric cancer research,
while also spreading Oscar's magic
to other children on their cancer journey.
Wonderful and really, really proud of the work you do.
We're so glad to have you here.
Joel Kim Booster,
you have brought so many laughs to so many people.
You play Maya Rudolph's assistant
on the Apple TV series "Loot."
Tell us about the charity
that you're gonna be playing for today.
Today, I'm playing for
SELAH Neighborhood Homelessness Coalition.
It's a charity here based in the East Side of L. A.
If you live in L. A., you know that we're experiencing
a homelessness crisis right now.
And the charity really works directly
with the unhoused community to provide services
and even do casework to try and help get them housing.
And it's basically just filling in the gaps
where our elected officials have sort of dropped the ball, so.
And also, this organization in particular seeks
to make people feel part of a community... Absolutely.
...and worthy of respect in the work that they do...
Absolutely. ...which is really wonderful.
Yeah. Alright, thank you so much.
And Ray Romano, a man who needs no introduction.
It's so wonderful to have you here.
Your film "Somewhere in Queens"
premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival,
and you are playing for Harvest Home.
Tell us about Harvest Home.
Yes, well, Harvest Home is a charity also based in L . A.,
and they help pregnant women
who find themselves homeless to prepare for motherhood.
They take them in, they give them a place,
they find employment for them if they need it.
They do everything they can
to help these women start a family.
Wonderful. Well, it is lovely to have all three of you here.
Good to be here. Let's get back to the game.
Melissa, your selection.
Let's do Ready For My Nude Scene for $500.
Seen here, this actress and Mike Myers
were both au natural in the first "Austin Powers,"
but fruits provided strategic cover for her.
Joel. Who is Elizabeth Hurley?
Yes.
Bernie & Bernadette, $100.
Melissa. Who is Bernie Sanders?
That's right. Bernie & Bernadette for $200.
Ray.
Who is Bernadette Peters?
Yes.
Bernie, $300.
Mayim: Ray.
What is "Weekend at Bernie's"?
That's right. A classic in its own time. Okay.
Bernie, $400.
Melissa. Who is Bernie Madoff?
Correct.
Bernie & Bernadette, $500.
[ Beep ] That would be Lourdes.
Melissa.
Alliterative Characters for $100, please.
Ray.
What is Hogwarts?
That's right. I never saw it.
[ Laughter ]
All About Books, $200.
Mayim: Joel. What is Narnia?
That's right.
All About Books for $300.
Joel. What is "A Christmas Carol"?
Yes.
All About Books for $400.
Melissa.
Who is Big Brother?
That's right.
Alliterative Characters for $500, please.
Joel. What is "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"?
That's right.
Fire Island, $200.
There's the Daily Double.
[ Cheers and applause ] Pbht!
Joel, you're in the lead with $3,800.
How much would you like to wager?
Let's do $200.
$200? Yeah.
$200? It's -- Listen,
I don't know nothing about fires, okay? I hear you, I hear you.
Mayim: Alright, here's your clue.
[ Exhales ]
What is Sicily?
That's correct.
[ Laughter ]
That'll take you to $4,000. Select again.
Fire Island, $300.
Ray.
What is Cuba?
That's it.
Fire Island, $400.
[ Beep ]
It's the island of Catalina.
Oh! Oh.
Mayim: And here's the final clue.
Joel. What is Ireland?
Correct. That brings us to the end of the Jeopardy! round.
Well, Joel is looting the Jeopardy! board
and coming up with all the right responses.
Melissa and Ray, I'm confident you two
will turn your fortune around
when we return with Double Jeopardy!
We'll be back.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Here is a "Celebrity Jeopardy!" Clue For You.
What is Narnia?
Joel may have have thought back to his childhood reading
for the response.
...C. S. Lewis took some into his Oxford home.
Like adults today, he complained that
they had trouble amusing themselves.
Not until decades later
did June know Lewis made her the model for Lucy...
We'll be right back with the correct response.
Before the commercial, we asked...
The correct response...
[ Applause ]
Welcome back. It is Double Jeopardy! time.
Melissa, you're in third place, so you'll be selecting first.
Let's take a look at the categories.
We'll start with...
Mayim: What do you think, Melissa?
Sitcoms for $200.
Melissa. What is "Curb Your Enthusiasm"?
Correct. Sitcoms for $400.
Melissa.
Who is Julia Louis-Dreyfus?
Yes.
Sitcom, $600.
Joel.
What is "Gotham"?
No.
[ Beep ] That's "What We Do in the Shadows."
Oh, God. Melissa.
Gotham's never the answer.
Sitcoms, $800.
How about a Daily Double?
Ooh.
You've moved into second place with $2,100.
How much are you gonna wager?
Um...$500?
$500. Here is your clue.
Yes. I'm sure about it. [ Chuckles ]
Joel: [ Whispering ] You know it.
Oh, oh, oh, um, uh...
[ Beep ]
Mayim: "What is 'The Wonder Years'?" Oh, yes!
It'll take you down just a bit.
Sitcoms, $1,000.
On "Brooklyn Nine-Nine,"
this actor seen here decided, "We'll go to my house,
or as Zeke calls it, Tiny Terry's hobbit hole."
Joel. Who is Terry Crews?
Yes.
Let's do Books & Authors for $200.
Ray.
Who is Mary Poppins?
Yes.
Starts With 2 Vowels, $200.
Mayim: Joel. What is Easter?
Correct.
Books & Authors, $400.
Ray.
What is "The Mountain"?
Yes, "Go Tell It on the Mountain."
Starts with 2 Vowels, $400.
Mayim: This tool is used by artists to support their work.
Here's a painting by Rembrandt
that shows one in the foreground.
Joel. What is an easel?
Yes.
Let's go back to Books & Authors for $600.
[ Laughter ]
[ Beep ]
If you walk by the color purple and don't notice it. Ooh.
Mayim: Joel, select again.
Books & Authors, $800.
Joel. Who is Sylvia Plath?
Correct.
Books & Authors for $1,000.
Joel. Who is Stieg Larsson?
Correct.
Let's do Starts With 2 Vowels for $600.
Melissa. What is aerobics?
Yes.
Starts With 2 Vowels, $800.
Fly high in style aboard a big, beefy A380
from this European company.
[ Beep ] What is Airbus?
Ray: Mm. Melissa.
Starts With 2 Vowels for $1,000.
Joel. What is an eon?
That is correct.
Well, Melissa, Joel, and Ray,
you are three of the funniest people in the business,
but tonight you're kind of all business.
Intense game. We'll be right back
after this break with more "Celebrity Jeopardy!"
[ Chuckles ]
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Here is another "Celebrity Jeopardy!" Clue For You.
Who is Mary Poppins?
Ray came through with one of the most beloved characters
in literature and film.
P. L. Travers' life spanned almost all of the 20th century.
...W. B. Yeats, and lived to authorize...
..."Downton Abbey" creator Julian Fellowes.
...this actress played her in "Saving Mr. Banks."
We'll be right back with the correct response.
Before the break, we asked...
...by this actress.
The correct response...
[ Applause ]
Welcome back. Melissa, tell us
about your "Jeopardy!" history.
Well, when I was in elementary school,
they would play a version of "Jeopardy!"
I don't think they paid a licensing fee to you guys,
not to get anyone in trouble.
But I was such a shy kid
that I was always so terrified to play.
I was the kid who would never raise my hand in class,
'cause I was afraid of getting the answer wrong.
But I'm a mom now, and I'm trying to teach my kids
that making mistakes is good and that's how you learn.
So I'm here today, out of my comfort zone,
to play for a charity that's very close to my heart,
so let's see how many mistakes I can make.
[ Laughs ] And does this feel scarier than elementary school
or less? It's terrifying.
It's terrifying, okay. Just checking.
Yes. [ Chuckles ] And, Joel, tell us how
you prepared for today.
Well, I am lucky enough to be close friends
with two former "Jeopardy!" contestants,
Louis Virtel and Chris Schleicher,
who did a really good job of prepping me and coaching me
and doing, like, buzzer work
and, you know, doing all -- giving me all the hints.
They did both lose, though,
so I'm not sure exactly how helpful they -- they were.
But we'll see. We'll see today.
Alright. Well, it's going well so far.
And Ray Romano, a comedy legend
and really branching out into so many other things.
Tell us about "Somewhere in Queens."
This is a very big deal. It just premiered at Tribeca,
but tell us about it.
Yeah, it's a script I wrote with a friend of mine,
and we took about seven years to write it.
And we finally said, "Let's do it."
And so I ended up also directing it...
Wow. ...which was the most
frightening thing I've ever done until now.
[ Laughter ]
Wonderful. And you are a long-time "Jeopardy!" fan, so...
Yes. ...tell us a little bit
about how this feels
compared to watching from your living room.
But I'm a certain type of fan, though.
I don't want to mislead anybody.
I represent a small group of people.
We don't get a lot of recognition.
It's people who love "Jeopardy!"
who don't know a lot, really.
[ Laughter ]
We can still like and love "Jeopardy!," yeah.
But when we play at home, we pause it.
We hear the question, we pause,
and then we think of the answer. [ Laughter ]
Yeah, so I'm --
Can we do that today? Yeah.
I think we should.
I think we should've at least let allowed one time-out...
That would be nice. ...or a guess.
Alright. We're gonna get back to the game.
Joel, it's your selection.
Let's do Lost In Exploration for $200.
[ Beep ] He was looking for Asia.
Asia, of course.
Mayim: Joel. Lost In Exploration for $400.
Percy Fawcett, who disappeared
searching for a lost jungle city in the 1920s,
is often called the real-life this movie character.
Joel. Who is Indiana Jones?
That's right.
Lost In Exploration for $600.
Ray. What is the fountain of youth?
Yes.
Human Anatomy for $200.
[ Beep ] It contains the heart.
Ray.
Human Anatomy, $800.
Oh! How about a Daily Double?
[ Applause ]
That's what I was afraid of.
[ Laughs ]
Don't be afraid. You're in second place
with $2,800.
How much are you gonna wager?
That's what I was afraid of.
Oh, boy.
Let's do...$1,500.
Here is your clue.
The two-word name.
The, uh...
[ Beep ] [ Groans ]
Looking for, "What is the gluteus maximus?"
And now I feel like one.
[ Laughter ]
That'll take you down to $1,300.
Still a lot of game to play.
Select again.
Human Anatomy, $400.
Ray. Your skin?
What is your skin?
Yes.
Human Anatomy, $600.
Joel. What are the lungs?
Correct.
Human Anatomy for $1,000.
Ray. What is the larynx?
Yes, the larynx.
Lost In Exploration, $800.
Mayim: Ray.
Who is Dr. Livingstone?
That's right.
$1,000, Exploration.
Mayim: Ray.
Who is Verrazzano?
That's correct.
Fun With Flags, $200.
The item in the center of this nation's flag
is a wheel of law called the Ashoka Chakra.
Joel. What is India?
Yes.
Fun With Flags, $400.
Ray.
What is Puerto Rico?
Correct.
$600.
Seen here on Alaska's flag
is this star grouping, part of Ursa Major.
Joel. What is the Big Dipper?
That's correct.
Fun With Flags, $800.
The cross and sword represent Saint George and Saint Paul
on the flag of the city of this,
the historic center of the same-named capital.
Joel. What is Vatican City?
No.
[ Beep ] That's London.
And here's the final clue. Ray: Oh.
Joel. What is a hammer and sickle?
That is correct.
Well, Joel started out on fire,
and right now he's on an island all his own.
Don't fret, Melissa and Ray, because the great equalizer,
Triple Jeopardy!, is coming up right after this.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
Here is one more "Celebrity Jeopardy!" Clue For You.
Who is Indiana Jones?
Joel showed his spirit of adventure,
identifying the possible original of Indiana Jones.
Percy Fawcett was sure that the Amazon rainforest
held a vast lost city.
Turning down help from people like Lawrence of Arabia
in favor of his son and a friend,
Fawcett trekked into the jungle in 1925 and disappeared.
...including another son of Percy's.
We'll be right back with the correct response.
Before the commercial, we asked...
The correct response...
[ Applause ]
We are back in Triple Jeopardy!
The dollar values are tripled,
and there are three Daily Doubles
hidden among these clues.
Let's take a look at the categories.
How about a little...?
Ray: Oh, no.
Joel: Woof.
You name the song.
Melissa, you'll get us started.
History In Comedy for $300.
Ray.
Who is Mel Brooks?
No.
Melissa?
Who is Sid Caesar?
No.
[ Beep ]
"Who is Robin Hood?"
Oh, we're stupid.
[ Laughter ]
Mayim: No.
Melissa. Me. Just me.
No, no, I'm in there, too.
Melissa, select again.
I'm gonna go again.
History In Comedy for $600,
'cause maybe we are stupid.
Joel. What is a duel?
Yes.
History In Comedy, $900.
[ Chuckles ]
Melissa.
What is marijuana?
[ Laughs ] No.
Okay.
[ Laughter ]
[ Beep ] "What is tobacco?"
Melissa: Okay. Alright.
[ Laughs ] Joel.
History In Comedy, $1,200.
[ Beep ] "Who is Benedict Arnold?"
We're not getting it. Yeah.
[ Laughter ] Mayim: Joel.
Let's finish it out for $1,500.
Joel. Who is Blackbeard?
That's right.
Let's do Dog-Gone Words for $300.
Melissa. What is mutt?
Yes.
Dog-Gone Words, $600.
Joel. What is a hound dog?
Yes. Dog-Gone Words, $900.
There's the Daily Double.
[ Applause ]
You have a commanding lead with $13,000.
How much are you gonna wager?
Let's do $2,000.
Here's your clue.
What is canine?
That's right.
[ Applause ]
That takes you to $15,000. Select again.
Dog-Gone Words, $1,200.
Certain small dogs are classified as this group,
sounding perfect for play and the right size for laps.
Joel. What is a toy?
Yes, toy dogs.
Dog-Gone Words for $1,500.
Ray.
What is heel?
That's right.
Johnny Gilbert, $300.
Here's Johnny.
Joel. What is "Call Me Maybe"?
That's right.
No. 1 Hits, $600.
Johnny again.
[ Laughter ]
[ Beep ] That's "Truth Hurts."
Joel, select again.
No. 1 Hits, $900.
[ Beep ]
That's "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses.
Ray: Mm! Joel.
No. 1 Hits, $1,200.
Take it away, Johnny.
[ Laughter ]
[ Beep ] Uh, "What is 'Savage'?"
Oh. Mayim: Megan Thee Stallion.
Alright, Joel, select again.
No. 1 Hits, $1,500.
Johnny again.
Joel. What is "All Star"?
No.
[ Beep ]
It's been one week.
"What is 'One Week'?" Joel, select again.
Let's do -- Let's do it. Ballet & Opera for $300.
Ray: [ Whispers ] No.
Joel. What is "The Nutcracker"?
Correct. Ballet & Opera for $600.
Melissa. What is the barber?
That's right. Ah.
Ballet & Opera, $900.
There's a Daily Double.
[ Applause ]
You've got $1,900. You want to think strategically.
How much are you gonna wager?
I'll do 2-- $200.
$200. Here is your clue.
Lovers...
Oh, Romeo and Juliet.
What is Romeo and Juliet?
That's correct. Oh, why didn't I do more?
Why didn't you do more? That'll take you to $2,100.
Go ahead and pick again.
Ballet & Opera, $1,200.
[ Beep ] Her name is Misty Copeland.
Melissa.
Let's do Ballet & Opera, $1,500.
Phew!
[ Beep ] That would be Mozart.
Joel: Oh! Melissa.
Never heard of him. [ Laughter ]
Politics, $300.
[ Beep ] That state was Wyoming.
Melissa.
Politics, $600.
Joel. Who is Ted Cruz?
That's right.
Politics, $900.
Ray. What is filibustering?
That's correct. Ooh.
[ Chuckles ] Countries, $300.
Ray. [ Sighs ] What is Mount Everest?
That's right. Oh.
[ Laughter ] You got it.
$600, Countries.
[ Beep ] That's Hungary.
Ray. Countries, $900.
How about the third Daily Double?
Oh, that's what I was afraid of!
Do not be afraid of it.
You're in second place with $7,300.
Yeah, I gotta do something, right?
You gotta do something. What are you gonna wager? Yeah.
Alright, let's do $4,000.
Here's your clue.
[ Whispers ] Oh, my goodness.
Oh.
What is -- What is China?
No. "What is New Zealand?"
That -- [ Laughs ]
That will take you down to $3,300.
Select again.
$1,200, Countries.
Melissa.
What is...Peru?
That's correct. Ah!
So that ties you for second place. Select again. Alright.
Facts About Countries, $1,500.
[ Beep ] That's the Suez Canal.
Duh. Melissa.
Politics, $1,200.
A president traditionally gets applause
from all of Congress for this event.
Here's Eisenhower arriving for his first.
Joel. What is the State of the Union?
The State of the Union Address, that's correct.
And here's the final clue.
Joel. Who is Gavin Newsom?
That is correct.
You have $18,600.
Ray and Melissa both with $3,300.
And, Joel, it's looking like all that preparation
is really paying off.
Let's take a look at the category
that all three of you will be facing for Final Jeopardy! --
Brands.
Make your wagers.
We'll be back right after this with the clue.
[ Cheers and applause ]
♪♪
[ Applause ]
The category for Final -- Brands.
Here's your clue.
You have 30 seconds.
Good luck.
♪♪
We will start with you, Melissa.
What did you come up with?
Nothing. Just nothing.
Nothing.
Unfortunately, nothing is not correct.
And how much did you wager?
You wagered it all. Yeah.
Alright. That will take you down to zero.
That's okay. Let's go over to Ray.
Ray, what did you write down?
"What is we should be able to pause!"
[ Laughter ]
Just once.
One time-out per player.
That's all I'm -- That's a suggestion.
Alright, Ray. [ Laughs ] That's not correct.
Ray: Oh. How much did you wager?
$3,258. $3,258.
Which leaves you with $42.
That's exactly.
[ Laughing ] Okay.
Okay, let's go over to Joel Kim Booster.
Now, the two former contestants who trained you
may not have won,
but it's looking like this could be a victory for you.
Yeah, maybe. I might now be the only person
on the group chat who's won "Jeopardy!"
And what did you come up with?
Uh...
"What are Legos?"
That is correct.
What?
Making the plastic bricks rather than wooden toys
drastically changed the fortunes of the company
and so many people's lives.
And how much did you wager?
$400. That brings you up to $19,000.
Congratulations, Joel.
You are our "Jeopardy!" Champion,
and you are advancing to the semifinals,
where you will be meeting with Michael and Wil.
Congratulations. Thank you.
Melissa and Ray, what a pleasure to watch you play.
$30,000 will be donated to the charities
that you were playing for. Thank you so much.
And we will see you at the semifinals.
[ Cheers and applause ]
Nice job. Great job.
Thank you. Great job.
Kind of a dream come true.
[ Laughter ]
Weird that defeat like this is a dream come true, right?
Yeah, yeah.
Joel, how do you feel?
I feel pretty crazy.
I did not expect it -- I feel bad for my boyfriend,
who has to sit through another game, but...
Very well-played.
And also, I mean, some really bold bids in your Daily Doubles,
but really just a tremendous amount of information
came pouring out of you.
Yeah, I mean, it does feel like, for "Celebrity Jeopardy!,"
the questions are a little baby.
I think the questions were harder.
[ Laughter ]
And, Melissa, how did you feel?
How does this compare to your elementary school experience?
You know what?
I learned a lot.
I made a -- Kids at home, I learned a lot.
There's a lot of mistakes, so all the learning.
But I also learned that I should take a bigger gamble on myself,
because the Daily Double,
had I just believed in myself a little bit more --
That was Romeo and Juliet. Yeah.
Yes. Mm-hmm.
Well, very exciting.
Joel, I cannot wait to see you in our semifinals.
Thank you. And thank you all.
It's been really fun.
[ Applause ]
♪♪
-- Captions by VITAC --