American game show competitor and multi-champion Jonathan Corbblah has graduated from contestant to expert. He is among the three trivia experts (as well as fan-favorite) on the new Game Show Network original series, Best Ever Trivia Show, hosted by Sherri Shepherd. It is his favorite game show experience to date. “This show I’m on right now is fantastic,” Corbblah tells So Booking Cool. “I’m there for good. I show up every week, frankly, whether I win or lose, I get to come back. This has been a really interesting, new, fun, exciting experience for me.”
Corbblah, a Brooklyn native, first got his taste of game show appearances when he was selected to compete on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego? The opportunity was exhilarating for the then middle schooler, especially because of his love for games. Game shows weren’t just a family tradition in his household, but an event. After he and his loved ones had dinner and watched the news, Corbblah and his brother eagerly tuned in to and played along with Jeopardy. He also recalls loving when he could stay home and watch shows like the Price is Right and Family Feud.
To date, Corbblah has appeared on thirteen game shows, which is a more challenging process than some realize. It would take him 9 tries before he would land and ultimately win Jeopardy. “You can’t just fail and think that it’s not for you. If I had been on every single game show that I tried out for, I’d be on more than 30 by now,” he says.
It’s not just hard to get on a game show. It’s hard for most game shows to stick around, as Corbblah points out. “Game shows change, grow and evolve. Hopefully more game shows end up becoming like Best Ever Trivia where it’s just kind of the love of learning and the fun of camaraderie,” he adds.
Best Ever Trivia Show, which premiered this past summer, shows three contestants, who are trivia fans, compete against three Trivia Experts. The winning contestant then faces off with the leading Expert during the Ultimate Trivia Challenge. And what’s a game show without the financial prize? If the contestant defeats the Expert, he or she wins $10,000 and scores a chance to return to the show and win an additional $30,000.
Check out the interview to learn more about Corbblah’s thoughts on game shows, including what he thinks makes a good one, his love and opinion on chess, including the “chess not checkers” mentality, some of the rigorous processes for landing game shows such as Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and more! For more information, visit Game Show Network.