Stars test their knowledge, play for charity in 'Celebrity Jeopardy'

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Fans of "Jeopardy!" are getting an added bonus this week as celebrities compete in the trivia game show for charity.

Their winnings benefit causes close to their hearts, including Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Boys and Girls Clubs of America and the WomenShelter of Long Beach.

Even though many of these celebrities are used to facing cameras or even blitzing linebackers (in the case of professional quarterback Aaron Rogers), they all say stepping onto the "Jeopardy!" stage can be way more daunting.

"I'm so scared," admitted "Scandal" star Bellamy Young.

"I'm terrified," actor Josh Gad said.

"This is not where they earn their living," revealed host Alex Trebek. "They are going out of their comfort zones."

Yes, the questions can be tough, but the celebrities discovered there's another tricky part of this competition.

"It's all about the buzzer," "Good Morning America" meteorologist Ginger Zee said. "We just did the rehearsal. I knew all the answers. I just couldn't get in!"

"I have really poor thumb circulation, so I'm not great at it," joked Gad.

After more than 30 years at the helm of "Jeopardy!" Trebek knows that buzzer problems might just be a scapegoat.

"If you're in a category that you feel comfortable with, it's amazing how your reflexes suddenly improve," Trebek said.

With $50,000 on the line each night, the charities behind these stars are banking on those reflexes.

The celebrities realized they won't be getting any help from the audience, scripts on a teleprompter or lines fed in from the crew!

In "show business, you definitely don't have to think this hard!" Gad said.

"What comes out of my mouth on my sweet TV show, 'Scandal,' is written by the most brilliant people in the world," Young said. "Up here, whatever comes out of my mouth, is just me! And that's a horror!"

"Celebrity Jeopardy!" airs the week of May 11-15.