Long Island Radio Host Donna Vaughan Singer Competes on ‘Jeopardy!’
Donna Vaughan Singer, a familiar voice to Long Island radio listeners, is testing her knowledge on the national stage. The Holbrook resident and veteran broadcaster will appear on Thursday night’s episode of “Jeopardy!” on WABC/7.
For over 30 years, Singer has been a mainstay on Long Island radio, serving as news director and a member of the “Breakfast Club” on WALK/97.5 FM for two decades. She continued her career as an anchor at WINS/1010 AM/92.3 FM, a position she has held since 2016.
A Lifelong Dream Realized
Singer, who goes by her maiden name, Vaughan, professionally, admitted to feeling nervous about the experience. “People say to me, ‘Well, you’re on the radio every day, so to you this is probably no sizeable deal.’ I don’t really agree with that. On the radio you don’t have to worry about what you look like,” she said, according to Newsday.
The opportunity to compete on “Jeopardy!” was a long-held dream, particularly for her husband, Eric Singer, a TV sports producer. Singer took the online test in 2020 during the pandemic and, after a year, was invited to participate in Zoom auditions against other hopefuls. She received confirmation of her selection in January.
Preparation and Strategy
Despite her broadcasting experience, Singer acknowledged the unique challenge of “Jeopardy!” “You don’t understand what categories you’re going to get, and you don’t know who you’re going to be up against. I don’t feel there’s any way to practice in that respect,” she stated.
She did focus on mastering the timing of the buzzer, learning from a past champion’s advice to hit it multiple times and avoid ringing in too early to avoid being locked out.
A Celebration with Family and Friends
Singer plans to celebrate her “Jeopardy!” appearance with a viewing party for 25 friends and family members at her housing development’s clubhouse. She also will be interviewed on WINS on Thursday morning, with the station planning to air promos throughout the day.
“I really just wanted to just head on, have a good time, not embarrass myself and make memories,” Singer said. “I was not thinking I was going to be the next tournament of champions winner. And I think I accomplished my goals.”