Drew Goins Reveals Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of ‘Jeopardy!’ – Including His Unusual Ad Break Habit

For fans of Jeopardy!, the fast-paced trivia showdown seems almost seamless on TV. But according to Second Chance champion Drew Goins, what you see on screen is exactly what happens in the studio—with very little “TV magic” involved.

“I was surprised by how authentic everything felt,” Goins shared. “The game flows just like you see on television. When there’s a commercial break, that’s exactly when we take a pause in real life.” However, instead of hearing ads about household products, the audience gets an exclusive treat: host Ken Jennings answers their questions during those breaks.

One unexpected tidbit about Goins? He used those brief pauses for an impromptu workout. “I became kind of known for doing calisthenics right there on stage,” he admitted. “I’d do air squats, toe touches, and shake out my arms. By the end of it, even some of the crew members were copying me and playfully teasing me about it.”

Despite the pressure of being in the hot seat, Goins emphasized how true-to-life the Jeopardy! experience is. “The pace you see is the real pace. The clues aren’t swapped out or rearranged—it’s all happening in real time.”

Comparing it to other competition shows, Goins highlighted the contrast between Jeopardy! and reality TV hits like Survivor. “On Survivor, you get caught up in the illusion that they’re totally isolated, even though there are cameras everywhere,” he explained. “But with Jeopardy!, what you see is what you get. There were no surprises—which in itself was a surprise.”

Fans can look forward to seeing more of Goins in action as he gears up for his next shot at glory in Jeopardy! Champions Wildcard.