Pitt assistant professor to appear on 'Jeopardy!'

After 10 years and two failed attempts, the third was the charm for University of Pittsburgh assistant professor Ally Bove who has finally made it onto the game show “Jeopardy!” The show was made popular by long time, Emmy Award winning host Alex Trebek who died in 2020. Ken Jennings currently hosts the show.

For those who don’t know, the game is known for its backwards format in which the answers are provided and contestants must respond with the appropriate questions.

It’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it might be the most difficult game show ever devised which explains why it often attracts academics as contestants.

In the category of “Brilliant SHRS Faculty for $1000…” - This @PittPT Assistant Professor recently competed on Jeopardy: Who is… Ally Bove! Tune in to Jeopardy on Wednesday, January 12 at 7 p.m. (check local listings) to see how far Ally makes it. #H2P #BoldMovesSHRS pic.twitter.com/NwvNew39M1

— Pitt SHRS (@PittSHRS) January 11, 2022

In her case, Bove, who works in Pitt’s school of health and rehabilitation sciences, made a two page list of categories she was not yet prepared for and started studying them. She received bachelor’s degrees in biology and health sciences from Duquesne University and a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from Columbia University, and a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh

“I’m sorry to report that exactly zero of the things I studied came up in my game,” said Bove in a Twitter video released by the university.

The shows are recorded in advance and contestants are sworn to secrecy regarding the outcome.

“Before every episode was about to tape, they would give us a pep talk about how everyone was beatable,” she said. “But you really become close friends with these people that you’ve never met and who are about to compete against you.”

The show featuring Bove airs tonight at 7 p.m. on WPXI-TV.