by Cheryl Farrell

Can you imagine traveling the world with special access to historic and cultural places? Additionally, you share your findings with over 20 million people. Picture yourself walking in Moscow’s Red Square where Soviet leaders surveyed imposing military processions. How about touring Anne Frank’s house and moving the legendary bookcase that hid her family’s Secret Annex? Guess what, this fantasy is my job. I’m a member of the Jeopardy! Clue Crew.

 “America’s Favorite Quiz Show,”™ introduced the Clue Crew in 2001. Perennial host Alex Trebek reveals clues that require questions for responses. Our five-member Clue Crew has traveled to more than 100 cities in 20 countries to present video clips on the game board. We have unparalleled access—after hours, behind the ropes, and under the Plexiglas.

After nearly 1,000 clues that I’ve taped, my view of the world is forever inspired. In particular, I’m proud that my travels uniquely illuminate the contribution and struggles of blacks in America. The following test-yourself-clues are examples from my Jeopardy! appearances. Keep reading for the correct responses within this survey of my adventures.

1. “His play ‘Fences’ was originally staged here at Yale Rep; it moved to Broadway and won him his first Pulitzer Prize.” 

2. “June 13, 1967 is a historic day as President Johnson has appointed this great-grandson of a slave to the Supreme Court.”

3. “His ‘Days of Glory’ include July 5, 1975, when he became the first African American male to win the Wimbledon Singles title.”

The Road to Civil Rights

The life and enduring legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr. have been frequent subjects on Jeopardy! We taped clues in Memphis at the National Civil Rights Museum, previously the Lorraine Motel. I saw in person the infamous balcony that I had only seen in photographs. I was captivated by the exhibit of a firebombed bus portraying the embattled Freedom Riders. Reverently, I sat in a replica of the Montgomery city bus for a clue about the late Rosa Parks.

I cherish occasions when I sing clues and an unforgettable experience was in the pulpit of Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church. I sang “We Shall Overcome,” the anthem for the Civil Rights Movement. Growing up in the 60’s, I could only imagine singing a message of hope from Dr. King’s church.

In Boston, an exclusive morning tour of the John F. Kennedy Library & Museum was an amazing walk in history. I held precious artifacts from President Kennedy’s life and work. I’d like to return to the museum one day to review materials detailing Kennedy's call to Dr. King.

Art and Culture in the Mix

Near Philadelphia, I toured The Barnes Foundation. Established in the early 1900’s, the museum’s diverse collection ranges from Impressionist art to African sculptures. The Foundation amended its bylaws in the late 50’s enabling one of America's first historically black universities to nominate trustees to the Foundation. I enjoyed sharing the clue category with Alex Trebek, a Clue Crew member-for-a-day.

In Detroit, I performed in the original Motown studios. In Harlem’s Apollo Theatre, soulful music coursed through my veins.  My clues cited performances by Sarah Vaughn, the Supremes, and the Jackson Five. In one memorable clue, I sang from Billie Holiday’s “God Bless The Child.”

On another famous stage, I delivered a clue about a celebrated playwright from the prestigious Yale Repertory Theater. He is the correct response to the first test-yourself-clue: “Who is August Wilson?”

While in Washington, DC

On one of several trips to our nation’s capital, I had the extraordinary privilege of visiting the Pentagon. Among its exhibits, the institution honors the heroic accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen. I felt a kinship to these aeronautical pioneers—my mother was one of the few black female aerospace engineers of her time.

I also visited the White House and stood on the exclusive Stonehenge media platform “reporting” history. The second test-yourself-clue was rendered at this location. The correct response: “Who is Thurgood Marshall?”

Sports in the Clues

My clues have included noteworthy sports figures. One was Eddie Robinson, the renowned coach of Grambling State University. I felt young again dancing on the field with the spirited Tigers Marching Band. Back in New York, I had daring clues and “moves” at the famous Gleason’s Gym. This training ground for numerous boxing legends was the scene for a clue about “Smokin’ Joe” Frazier. In Bristol, Connecticut, I fulfilled a sports dream by delivering clues at the ESPN Sports Center. What a pleasure to recount Wilma Rudolph’s achievement in sports history during the 1960 Olympics.

I hit a few balls on hallowed ground at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island. This is the setting of the third test-yourself-clue. The correct response: “Who is Arthur Ashe?”

On the Matter of Slavery

The struggle for freedom is evident in a clue about the Underground Railroad at Bethel AME Church in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. I spoke of the church’s stained-glass window that depicts a lily, indicating safe haven for runaway slaves.

Further north, the curators of the Rhode Island Treasures Museum allowed me to hold slave shackles normally housed in a locked glass encasement. In a poignant moment, while holding those relics, I read the following clue:

 “In 1967, this man said that slaves’ descendants ‘still needed to be loosed’ from these shackles.”

The correct response: “Who is Martin Luther King, Jr.?”

There’s More Where That Came From

One of the many blessings of my job is the opportunity to invite viewers to try out for the show. Many of our best contestants are well-traveled and well-read. Perhaps like you? In its 24^th season, Jeopardy! is still going strong and we’re always looking for new places to explore.

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Cheryl Farrell has an undergraduate degree in Economics and a Masters Degree in Communications from UCLA and USC, respectively. For more Jeopardy! information, visit www.jeopardy.com. The “Clue Crew” link includes video clips of her extensive travels.