U of G Alumni to Compete on Pop Culture Jeopardy!
Two University of Guelph (U of G) alumni are set compete as contestants on the new televised trivia show, Pop Culture Jeopardy! Tom Minard, B.Sc ’12, MSc ‘15 and George Hutchinson, BSc ’12, PhD ‘18, lifelong trivia enthusiasts and former members of U of G’s Quizbowl team, have brought their love for pop culture and quick recall skills to the spotlight.
The teams’ preparation for the show involved a strategic division of labour: George tackled Tony and Oscar winners, while Tom focused on the latest Billboard hits and critically acclaimed TV pilots. To prepare for the high-pressure environment, they practiced using a 3D-printed replica of the Jeopardy! buzzer, and took notes from a book written by a former Jeopardy! champion.
Both credit their University of Guelph days for shaping their passion for trivia. Tom’s electives in music and cinema deepened his interest in pop culture, while George highlighted the impact of their time on U of G’s Quizbowl team. “Quizbowl helped me learn to recall answers under pressure,” said George. He also noted that his experience as a U of G lecturer enhanced his public speaking skills, which were essential for performing on a televised stage. George reminisced about U of G traditions, sharing fond memories of attending weekly trivia nights at Brass Taps and the Grad Lounge (now known as The Lookout).
Their team name, The Bullpen, is a nod to their history as softball teammates, a connection that also led to their third member, Eric, joining the team. Eric joined their softball team a few years ago and became part of their trivia crew.
The experience of competing on Pop Culture Jeopardy! was unforgettable for both. Filmed in Los Angeles and hosted by comedian Colin Jost, the show brought its fair share of nerves and excitement. “For me, being on set was the most stressful experience of my life,” admitted Tom, “but after settled in, it was also one of the most fun experiences I’ve ever had. Being able to banter with such a funny and personable host, Colin Jost, was a particular standout.”
Images are courtesy of Sony Pictures Entertainment. From left to right, The Bullpen teammates: George Hutchinson, Eric Sipkens, and Tom Minard. They are pictured together with PCJ! host, Colin Jost.
George added, “To be honest, I’m more nervous to watch myself on TV than I was when we were actually filming!”
Their trivia journey isn’t ending here. Both Tom and George are already auditioning for the classic version of Jeopardy! and plan to continue dominating trivia nights in Guelph.
Cheer on your fellow Guelph grads by tuning into their episode of Pop Culture Jeopardy! airing on Amazon Prime on Wednesday, January 29. From Quizbowl tournaments to the national stage, Tom and George are proving that their passion for pop culture—and their knack for trivia—can take them anywhere.