Lewiston, ID — Mike Dawson, a Lewiston native and trivia enthusiast, is set to appear on “Jeopardy!” this Friday, fulfilling a lifelong dream. Dawson, who graduated from Lewiston High School in 2000 and the University of Idaho in 2005, has been a fan of the show since childhood.
“In some ways, I’ve kind of been preparing all my life. In terms of just accumulating knowledge. I’ve always been kind of more a generalist than a specialist and so I’m interested in a bunch of different things and I think that is very helpful when you are coming on a general knowledge show,” Dawson said.
Dawson’s journey to “Jeopardy!” began with an invitation to interview in 2008, but living in Japan at the time prevented him from participating. A second opportunity arose in 2011, but he was not selected to compete. Undeterred, Dawson continued to take the show’s 50-question quiz annually. His persistence paid off last August when he was invited to interview and participate in a mock game. By mid-December, Dawson received the call confirming his selection as a contestant.
“I think I had a smile on my face you know for the next week. It felt really good to finally get to that point,” he said.
Dawson filmed his episode in Los Angeles in mid-February, describing the experience as intense but rewarding. “You show up bright and early at the Sony Picture Studios in the morning on your filming day. They book you for two days because there is a chance, they also have a couple alternates and there is a chance that everybody who comes might not be able to play that day,” he said.
Despite recent job loss in foreign aid due to DOGE job cuts Dawson found solace in his “Jeopardy!” experience and the support from his community. “The outpouring of support from friends and family and even the broader community that I don’t even know has been really great and I’ve really appreciated it. It’s helped kind of lift my spirits during this time as it is a transitional point in my life for me as I look to embark in a new career,” Dawson said.
He encourages others to pursue their dreams, no matter the size. “You know if you have a dream and you want to achieve it, it’s certainly doable,” he said.
Dawson’s “Jeopardy!” episode will air this Friday at 7 p.m. A watch party will be held at Clarkston Eagles.
