Current location:	Hollywood, CA
Current mood:	tired

Wednesday at The Castle.
This morning, faithful reader, Tony and I went to watch a taping of Jeopardy! at Sony Pictures Studios:



Tony knows a guy, who used to work on the show, that still has connections with a guy, who....well, you get the idea. So, we were given Production Guest passes and allowed to sit in the first row.

We watched 3 episodes taped that will air the week of May 25. There was then a lunch break, and another audience came in to watch 2 more taped. It seems that they shoot all the shows for a week in one day.

There were about 100 or so people in the studio audience, and we were given the low-down on being quiet and when to applaud. Then, Jeopardy! announcer Johnny Gilbert came out and acted as the warm-up. He told little funny stories about goof-ups on the show, and answered a few questions.



The contestants were brought out, shot a few promos, then we were already to tape.

The music started, and Johnny--from his booth announcer platform--spoke the so familiar phrase, "This....is...Jeopardy!" He then introduced the contestants, followed by, "And now, the host of Jeopardy!...Alex Trebek!" And, out he came:



Now, of course, I didn't take these pictures. No cameras or cell phones were allowed, but it looked in person just like on TV.

They went through their first segment, and came to a commercial break. Alex immediately walked over to us--the audience--and started chatting. We was polite, engaging, charming, and quite funny. He took questions and asked several of the audience too. Then it was back to the game.

This continued during almost every break unless he had to re-record a line or question what he fumbled or mis-pronounced. And, when that did happen (less than six times during the three shows) he always made a joke about it.

Alex went way out of his way to visit with the studio audience, and seemed to enjoy talking with us more than doing the show.

During one such encounter I got to answer an Alex question. He was talking to a guy from Canada (Alex's home country) and the man said he was from Windsor. Alex said, "Yes! Windsor! One of the few Canadian cities located south of the border. In fact Windsor is due south of what American city...?"

I raised my hand, and he pointed to me. "Detroit," I said.

"Detroit is correct," he said...and I felt like a million bucks.

I didn't win any money, though.

After a few hours and three shows, we took off back to the hotel, stopping at In-N-Out Burger on the way. It's a fast food chain that everyone on the West Coast seems to LOVE!

I thought the burgers were good.

That's all.

At The Castle tonight, lots of members were there. When I say "members" that mostly means "magicians". That always makes me edgy...I feel like I'm under a microscope. But, truth be told, that's what working The Castle is all about.

I did a new routine that Tony actually wrote, so he got to see me read his lines. It was cool. Trying new stuff is what The Magic Castle is all about.

Rich Cowley is The Magic Castle's Videographer--he shot my footage last time--and is always a joy to hang out with, even if it's only for his endless database of jokes.



Rich has been a great source of encouragement, helping me to keep in sight what's important in the performance of magic, and what's just hype.

Jon Armstrong--The Magic Castle's Magician of the Year, several years running, and board member--was a wonderful help the first time I was here, and has been a great friend this time as well. Last time Jon went well out of his way to spend time with me, give me advise--GREAT advise, actually--and make me feel like I am welcome at The Castle. This year has been the same. No one has made me feel more welcome than Jon.


(Ain't we cute...?)

Jon is also a demon with a deck of cards.

No lie.

And, here's Tony and I in The Parlour:



Tomorrow night, through Sunday, is when things get REALLY busy at The Castle. I'll keep you posted...