'Jeopardy!' Is Finally Welcoming Studio Audiences Again!

This is some great news for "Jeopardy!" fans and even better news for fans who live in California where the show is filmed!

On Monday, the "Jeopardy!" social media accounts revealed that they are welcoming studio audiences again now that COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted!

On Monday, the official "Jeopardy!" account tweeted, "Welcome back to the Alex Trebek Stage!" revealing that this is the first time in two years that the show will welcome back a studio audience as filming for Season 39 gets underway.

Co-host Ken Jennings retweeted the news, saying, "This is very exciting."

He later added, "Nobody would be more pleased about this than Alex himself. He was a natural showman (as anyone who ever saw a Jeopardy! taping can attest) and was never quite as happy doing the audience-less shows of the pandemic era. We’re back, Alex! 💙"

No permanent host has yet been announced, but fans can check out when Ken is coming back to host by checking out the schedule here.

According to the website, dates for August 2, 3, 8, 9, 10, are all unavailable. Tapings are broken down into two slots: a morning taping and an afternoon taping. Morning tapings are from 10:15 – 2:15 and the afternoon taping is from 2:15 – 5:15, so it looks like there is a little bit of overlap between the two tapings.

There are also dates available for September 14 and 15, with those dates saying that tickets will be available soon. No information is listed for any of the other days just yet. The website reads:

“Tickets are available for a period of up to 2 months before the taping date. A new month of tickets is released on the first day of each month. Ticket availability is subject to change, so check back if your preferred date isn’t available.”

The ticketing info page shares even more information about what fans can expect. The website explains that the show “tapes a total of 5 shows a day with 2 different audiences. Audiences will either see the taping of 2 or 3 episodes.” They say the whole experience should take approximately three hours.

Tickets and parking are free, but the show does not cover travel costs, like transportation costs and hotel accommodations. Attendees must be at least 8 years old and must have an adult with them. Children under the age of 8 will not be allowed to enter the studio, regardless of adult supervision.

It seems they’re also pretty strict about checking IDs and security. The website warns:

“You must provide a valid government-issued photo I.D. upon check-in to attend the show, and only reservations for names exactly matching that I.D. will be permitted. Upon entering the SPE lot you will also be required to undergo a metal detector screening and bag check. Please refrain from bringing extra personal belongings. Large bags and backpacks are prohibited.”

It goes on to say:

“Smoking, food, beverages, recording equipment, and weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited. SPE strictly prohibits the unauthorized use of cameras or any other recording devices – including cell phone cameras. Use of any recording device must be approved by or at the direction of the Audience Coordinators. Cell phones must be turned off during tapings.”

There is also a Sony Studio Tour available for those who want to tour the area but not sit through a 3-hour taping. Admission to the tour is not included with a ticket and the website warns that fans should make sure to book the tour at a time that won’t conflict with the scheduled taping.

So far, this looks like only the availability for regular episodes of "Jeopardy!". There is no word about a studio audience for episodes of "Celebrity Jeopardy!", which is scheduled to air in September. Those interested can find more information about the spin-off show here.