Category: News Worthy. Answer: a Jeopardy Contestant at Last

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Ian Pickus

ALBANY, NY (04/26/2011)(readMedia)-- WAMC Northeast Public Radio's news producer Ian Pickus will appear on the nationally syndicated television quiz program Jeopardy! this Friday, April 29th.

A remarkable wordsmith Pickus, works on the Congressional Corner, Capitol Connection, The Academic Minute, The Roundtable, and special programs at WAMC Northeast Public Radio, where he has been employed since 2008.

"We have always been proud of our Ian. He continues to delight and surprise all of us and this just challenges us all to have a mind like this amongst us. It certainly makes me work harder," said Alan Chartock, President & CEO, WAMC Northeast Public Radio.

A lifelong Jeopardy! fan, the Saratoga Springs native passed the annual 50-question online test - his fifth attempt - before being invited to an in-person audition in Manhattan last April. He was summoned to the Jeopardy! studios in Culver City, Calif., over the winter, capping years of studying and practice. He kept a secret until recent days; the appearance is now a headline in most media outlets.

"I have always loved the show and wanted to play, but I never expected to make it to L.A. One man in my audition group said it was his 14th try, so I feel quite lucky," Pickus says. "My work at WAMC definitely helped my preparation, thanks to my daily immersion in news, current events, and culture, not to mention my endless pile of reading."

Pickus holds a BA in English and journalism and an MA in English, both from the University at Albany. He will write about his experiences on the show at wamcradio.org and can be heard on Friday morning's edition of The Roundtable, which airs on WAMC weekdays at 9 AM.

Pickus plans to keep his daily routine as normal as possible. He will deliver the morning news and will remain in the studio with Joe Donahue to talk about his adventure. If you have any questions for Pickus, post them on WAMC's Facebook page www.facebook.com/wamcradio

When asked about how she felt about her son's appearance on Jeopardy, Rhoda Pickus, HR manager for The Saratogian, said, "Ian is always passionate and diligent when he commits to a goal or objective. Being a contestant on Jeopardy was a long-term dream, which he was fortunate to realize."

Jeopardy! airs on WTEN-TV in the Capital Region and WWLP-TV in Springfield, Mass., at 7:30 p.m., and on WPTZ in Burlington, Vt. and WTNH in Hartford, Conn. at 7 p.m. jeopardy.com/showguide/thisweek/ to see Ian Pickus Jeopardy! promo.

Member-supported WAMC Northeast Public Radio broadcasts news, informational and cultural programming to listeners in portions of seven northeastern states. WAMC is an award winning producer of regionally based programming and an affiliate of National Public Radio, American Public Media, and Public Radio International.

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