Why on Jeopardy do the contestants say originally from such and such city, why don't they just say

[Mister Ed]

4. Having once appeared on Jeopardy, I know the answer.

The producers told contestants to do that because it's more interesting to the audience. If they only told of their present circumstances, most would have to say, "Well, I live in L.A."

Contestants were likewise told that if they consider themselves actors, they should say their occupation is whatever they're doing right now to support themselves. L.A., after all, is full of aspiring actors, and many of them audition for game shows. But hearing, "I'm an actor living in L.A." over and over again would be very uninteresting to the audience.