Drew Goins Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Jeopardy!—Including His Unusual Ad-Break Routine

Jeopardy! fan-favorite and Second Chance champion Drew Goins is offering an exclusive look at what it’s really like to film an episode of the legendary game show. While some may assume there’s plenty of behind-the-scenes TV magic, Goins insists the experience is refreshingly straightforward—and one of his personal ad-break rituals may surprise you.

“The Lack of Surprise Was a Surprise”

Goins was struck by how true to life the show is compared to what airs on TV. “I was surprised by how little TV magic there is,” he shares. “There’s nothing about Jeopardy! that feels misleading. The show breaks exactly where the commercial breaks happen. They’re not talking about Eggland’s Best eggs, but you do have five minutes, and Ken [Jennings] takes questions from the audience.”

A Unique Ad-Break Routine

While some contestants might use ad breaks to catch their breath, Goins took a different approach—exercise. “You get a chance to stretch,” he explains. “I kind of became notorious for using the breaks to do calisthenics right there on the stage.”

So, what exactly did his routine include? “I do air squats, toe touches, and just shake my arms all around,” Goins reveals. “By the end of it, people on the crew were copying me and even mocking me,” he adds with a laugh.

Jeopardy! vs. Survivor: A Refreshing Reality

Goins also compared Jeopardy! to other competition shows, such as Survivor. “I adore Survivor, but there’s so much production involved—you see it as this deserted island with no one else around, even though there have to be cameras everywhere,” he says. “When I stepped onto the Jeopardy! stage, I thought, Wow, this is exactly what it looks like on TV.”

The authenticity of the experience left a lasting impression. “The lack of surprise was a surprise, if that makes sense,” Goins concludes.

Want to experience Jeopardy! for yourself? Apply to be a contestant and see if you have what it takes! And don’t forget to catch Goins’ return in the Champions Wildcard tournament.

What do you think of his unusual ad-break routine? Let us know in the comments!