Edmonton librarian takes second place in Jeopardy! debut
Kyle Marshall has always loved trivia and recently he got to show the world just how much.
Marshall, an Edmonton Public Library branch manager, came in second place during his Jeopardy! debut Wednesday night.
"I was really close," he said. "I was just $400 behind going into Final Jeopardy."
Like many librarians, Marshall is a curious person and loves to learn new things. He applied for the show on the advice of a few friends who noticed his impressive performances in mock-jeopardy games.
"I've always been a fan of trivia my whole life," he said. "I'm just interested in knowledge and acquiring it through many different means."
That thirst for information would prove helpful when he was accepted to be a contestant with just one nerve-wracking month to prepare before filming.
"I was like, 'Do I really want to do this?'" Marshall said. "This is going to be a very stressful month leading up to it. What if I do really poorly?
"But then I really realized how great of an opportunity it was [and] I really kind of dug my heels in."
In between his full-time job and taking care of a toddler, Marshall squeezed in study nights with his partner, focusing on a few core subjects and plenty of mock-game play.
"The tough thing is they can really ask you anything on Jeopardy!, right? So studying is a little tricky," he added. "You can't cover all knowledge in a month so I did my best."
Marshall was anxious after some not-so-great results at rehearsals, but it all went well in the end – minus an answer or two.
"There are a few questions that, in hindsight, I really am a little embarrassed at what I answered," he said. "But you know, I did my best given the circumstances.
"It was a high-pressure situation."
The episode was filmed in March, so Marshall was back home for the airdate Wednesday and threw a watch party for family and friends.
"It was really cool to see them cheer me along," he added. "Even though I knew the outcome, they were completely invested."
"All told, I'm really happy with how it turned out and I'm proud to have had this incredible experience."
Marshall received $2,000 for second place. He said he has no plans yet for the prize money.
With files from CTV News Edmonton Miriam Valdes-Carletti
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Widow looking for answers after Quebec man dies in Texas Ironman competition
The widow of a Quebec man who died competing in an Ironman competition is looking for answers.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
World seeing near breakdown of international law amid wars in Gaza and Ukraine, Amnesty says
The world is seeing a near breakdown of international law amid flagrant rule-breaking in Gaza and Ukraine, multiplying armed conflicts, the rise of authoritarianism and huge rights violations in Sudan, Ethiopia and Myanmar, Amnesty International warned Wednesday as it published its annual report.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
Amid concerns over 'collateral damage' Trudeau, Freeland defend capital gains tax change
Facing pushback from physicians and businesspeople over the coming increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his deputy Chrystia Freeland are standing by their plan to target Canada's highest earners.
U.S. Senate passes bill forcing TikTok's parent company to sell or face ban, sends to Biden for signature
The Senate passed legislation Tuesday that would force TikTok's China-based parent company to sell the social media platform under the threat of a ban, a contentious move by U.S. lawmakers that's expected to face legal challenges.
Wildfire southwest of Peace River spurs evacuation order
People living near a wildfire burning about 15 kilometres southwest of Peace River are being told to evacuate their homes.
U.S. Senate overwhelmingly passes aid for Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan with big bipartisan vote
The U.S. Senate has passed US$95 billion in war aid to Ukraine, Israel and Taiwan, sending the legislation to President Joe Biden after months of delays and contentious debate over how involved the United States should be in foreign wars.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.