Double-Sourcing

Wisse said that “Each clue has a number of facts in it… and the writer has provided one source, at least, for every element within the clue—every name, every statement, every date.” The researcher’s job is to double-source all of those.

“Secondarily, [we] check to see if the clue is pinned, which is quiz-show speak for making sure that there is only one correct answer. Or that, if there’s an alternate answer that’s also acceptable, that it’s been anticipated.” Since there are around 14,000 clues written for each Jeopardy! season, you can see how much weight rests on their shoulders.