Possible Clues:

• Welcomed, as the New Year
• Welcomed, as the new year
• Tried to respond, as a 'Jeopardy!' contestant
• Buzzed, as on 'Jeopardy!'
• Welcomed, as the new 32-Down
• Celebrated, as the new year
• Celebrated
• Prepared to give a 'Jeopardy!' response
• Responded on "Jeopardy!"
• Prepared to give a Jeopardy! response