Natalie Tyson, a graduate of Monta Vista High School in Cupertino and the daughter of a Los Altos Hills couple, will appear as a “Jeopardy!” contestant Monday (Feb. 22) evening.
Tyson, a Walnut Creek resident, grew up in Cupertino and now works as an academic adviser at UC Berkeley for undergraduate students studying biology. She is the daughter of Los Altos Hills Vice Mayor George Tyson and Stephanie Tyson.
In Monday’s episode, Tyson will spar with David Maybury, a magnetics engineer originally from Richmond, Va., and Sam Stapleton, a college consultant who lives in Los Gatos. Stapleton is the returning champion, boasting one-day winnings of $33,201.
Tyson is not yet permitted to reveal how she performed on the show, but she reminisced in a recent email to the Town Crier.
“The experience was truly amazing and a lifelong dream,” Tyson said. “I had been trying out (doing the online test) since I was in high school. It was fun to meet the other contestants and watch their episodes too.”
Mike Richards, executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” served as the host for Tyson’s episode. He is one in a series of guest hosts, including “Greatest of All Time” “Jeopardy!” winner Ken Jennings, who have filled in since Alex Trebek, the iconic host of the show, died Nov. 8 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. The last episode featuring Trebek aired Jan. 8. Upcoming episodes will feature journalist Katie Couric, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a former “Jeopardy!” celebrity champion.
Tyson said she was impressed by the way the show’s crew handled COVID-19 precautions.
“I felt very safe the whole time (although I did have to yell to talk to people at lunch since we were spaced so far apart!),” she said. “Overall the experience made me love the show even more, and I highly recommend anyone who’s interested to take the online test and just go for it!”
In the Bay Area, tune into ABC7 at 7 p.m. Monday to view Tyson’s episode.
