Instead of the typical text clue, the "Jeopardy" Clue Crew traveled to Lucasfilm Archives at Skywalker Ranch in Marin, Calif., to investigate the ultimate trivia questions. "Basically the Clue Crew is a team of roving correspondents who record clues for 'Jeopardy!'," Clue Crew member Sarah Whitcomb explains. "So instead of seeing host Alex Trebek reading one of the text clues on the screen, periodically on the show you'll see one of us came out of the screen in a video clue and present that answer from a different location in the U.S. or around the world. The goal of the Clue Crew is to bring a more interactive and behind-the-scenes element to 'Jeopardy!' for its viewers. We're always thinking of exciting places to take our viewers where they wouldn't normally be able to go for a visit or see on their own."
"The chance to visit Lucasfilm Archives at Skywalker Ranch was a personal thrill not only for myself and the other Clue Crew members, but our entire crew," Whitcomb adds. "We got to visit a place so many people wonder about. So these clues give viewers behind the scenes access."
Whitcomb and the rest of the Clue Crew roamed the halls of the Archives in search for the ultimate Star Wars answer. "The upcoming category highlights the favorite Star Wars characters," Whitcomb says. "By looking at different props and models from the film and the costumes, our writers were able to create some really creative clues that will certainly interest all Star Wars fans. Seeing everything in real life, like a model of a certain spacecraft or getting to look at the costumes and see the detail up close, was amazing. It was interesting to see the different sizes of the costumes as well."
Considering the fact that Whitcomb has six seasons of clues under her belt, her extensive travels have taken her to 38 states and 18 countries, allowing for some incredible experiences along the way including breaking the sound barrier in a Navy fighter jet, skydiving with the Army's Golden Knights parachute team, performing simulation drills at Russia's Cosmonaut Training Center and crossing Europe onboard the Orient Express. But visiting the Archives seems to have moved up toward the top of her favorites list. "It's really been one of my favorite experiences and a big thrill to visit Skywalker Ranch," Whitcomb smiles.
This isn't the first time "Jeopardy!" tried to stump fans. The game show previously showcased a Star Wars category in 2004, during the release of the Star Wars Trilogy DVD set, as well as in May 2007.
"I think hardcore and modest Star Wars fans who watch this episode might learn something they don't know about the characters in the movies," Whitcomb says. "We really exposed some interesting facts to get to the correct question. It's a really exciting look into something we all love."
Be sure to tune in to "Jeopardy!" on Sept. 21. Check your local TV listings for times. For more information about "Jeopardy!" visit the official site here.
