UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Hester Blum has advanced to the next round of the “Jeopardy!” Professors Tournament.

Although the Penn State English professor did not win her quarterfinal match, she did earn enough to secure a wildcard berth in the second of the tournament’s three upcoming semifinal matches that will air on Tuesday, Dec.14. If she wins her match, she will then compete against the two other semifinal winners in the two-night final beginning Thursday, Dec. 16.

Blum admittedly thought her prospects of making it to the semifinals were dim after “Jeopardy!” host Mayim Bialik unveiled the categories for her quarterfinals’ first round.

“When the first category in ‘Single Jeopardy’ came up — the movie ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ — I almost died,” she said. “My friends know that I have zero interest in film as a medium, have seen zero old movies, and really only watch movies starring Will Ferrell or Seth Rogen.”

Most of the categories in the first two rounds were not quite as daunting, though, and Blum settled into more of a routine once adjusting to the “fast pace” of the game.

While winning outright was unlikely once she and the other contestants reached the “Final Jeopardy!” round, Blum’s wise wagering and her “incorrectly spelled but phonetically correct” response of “What is Art Nouveau?” to the final clue was enough to land her in the semifinals.

“’Phonetically correct’ [Bialik’s response to Blum’s] answer is a badge I will wear with gallic pride,” Blum joked.

“Jeopardy!” airs locally at 7 p.m. weeknights on WATM-TV; check local listings for the appropriate time and station outside the area.