Jackie Fuchs—who was the bassist for the Runways from 1975 to 1977 beneath the identify Jackie Fox—is the present reigning “Jeopardy!” champion. As of final night time, she’s on a four-win streak. Fuchs made her first look on Friday, December 14, however it wasn’t till her third look, on Tuesday night time, when Alex Trebek lastly acknowledged her tenure within the band. Fuchs received for the fourth time by accurately answering a query in regards to the poet Dylan Thomas. So far, she’s accurately answered questions on Carly Rae Jepsen, the B-52’s, the Beatles, Alicia Keys, musicians’ memoirs, and far more.
Fuchs isn’t an lively musician. She has a profession as an lawyer, her artistic outlet is writing fiction, and he or she’s a trivia buff who’s made appearances on a number of game exhibits. The final time she made headlines for her time within the Runaways was in 2015, when she alleged that she was sexually assaulted by the band’s producer Kim Fowley. The alleged incident passed off on December 31, 1975; she was 16. Fowley died in early 2015.
In a cellphone dialog with Pitchfork, Fuchs opened up about how telling that story readied her for her “Jeopardy!” successful streak and defined why she didn’t wish to be initially outlined on the present by her time with the Runaways.
Pitchfork: What made you wish to go on “Jeopardy!” within the first place?
Jackie Fuchs: Redemption. I’ve been on a few different game exhibits and never achieved so effectively. I used to be on “The Chase,” which I actually didn’t do effectively on, however as quickly as I flamed out I simply needed to get again up and do it once more. So I did “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?” and ended up going dwelling on an viewers query, which I used to be actually bummed out about. I assume I’ve simply been saving it up for the massive one.
You’ve been working as an lawyer for the previous few years, so I think about that set you as much as carry out effectively in entrance of an viewers?
Not a lot. I believe the factor that ready me to do effectively in entrance of an viewers was talking about being raped a lot of years in the past. Once you’ll be able to discuss that on digital camera, an viewers isn’t going to faze you. It’s sort of like that’s the worst factor that may occur to you, so you realize, shedding a game present will not be enjoyable, however it simply pales as compared. [pause] I simply made that go heavy actually quick.
How do you are feeling about making headlines once more and being known as a former member of the Runaways?
Come on, it’s nice. I advised the producers that I wouldn’t discuss it until I made it to day three, as a result of I don’t need that to be simply who I’m, you realize? I believe there’s extra to me, and I needed folks to get to know my extra enjoyable, quirky aspect. But I needed to discuss it as a result of we have now some actually nice followers and I believed it could be good to acknowledge them in that means.
Did you are feeling intimidated or snug with music questions on the present?
I’ve to say it’s not my strongest class [laughs]. I used to be far more snug with fourth century literature, and I might have been thrilled had the dreaded “opera” class come up.
What topics had been you hoping for?
Classical music, opera, literature, and artwork. I used to be completely happy there was an artwork class. You need issues which might be tough and that not everyone is aware of, as a result of I’m older than many of the different contestants. I don’t assume I confronted anyone who was older than I’m, so if I had began with the $200 clue and constructed up, different contestants would have gotten into a greater rhythm. I knew I needed to be somewhat little bit of a disruptor and bounce across the board, which some viewers don’t like. But I used to be there to win.
Aside from “Jeopardy!,” what else do you will have happening?
I actually don’t! I’m simply attempting to determine what act three is. I work for my purchasers and attempt to do an important job for them. I believe I’m simply attempting to be {the teenager} that I in all probability would have been if I hadn’t joined a band. I’m doing trivia, I’m enjoying board games, and I’m sort of simply having fun with life!
Well, congratulations on all of your success on the present!
Well thanks a lot, however earlier than you log off, you get to ask one extra burning query.
Oh wow, now I really feel like I’m on a game present.
This is sort of what it’s like! You give them an entire bunch of little information and tales about you. And they choose three, and so they say, “Well, which one do you want to talk about?” And they offer these three inquiries to Alex Trebek, and he’ll often go along with the one that you just’ve picked, however apparently he calls audibles. In most instances, the contestants know what’s coming, but when he sees one thing he finds actually attention-grabbing, he’ll change it. I used to be sort of stunned when he requested me about my marital standing, and I wasn’t anticipating him to ask me about being on “The Dating Game.” I used to be on that present in 1980 or 1981, and I’m horrified that I advised folks it’s on YouTube.
A burning query, then: Do you miss making music?
Sometimes. But the thought of being on the highway at my age simply doesn’t attraction to me. I miss the artistic half. I do write quick tales and novelettes, and I’ve written a pair novels—nothing revealed but, it’s only for me. It’s my launch. It can scratch that artistic itch.
Any recommendation for aspiring “Jeopardy!” contestants?
Well, that’s an entire different article. Keep attempting. It’s actually arduous to get on the present; it’s taken me a number of years. Don’t surrender.
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