Trading Places
On April Fools’ Day 1997 Alex Trebek and Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak actually traded places. They switched places as Trebek hosted Wheel of Fortune alongside Sajak’s wife Lesly, while Pat took the reins of Jeopardy.
Trading Places
Celebrity Fans
The show has been running since the ‘60s and has gained a lot of fans. It’s not just the general public who love the show though, and some celebrities love nothing more than unwinding with a bit of Jeopardy. Stars such as Jane Seymour, Ashton Kutcher, Jodie Foster, and Anderson Cooper have all made appearances on the famed game show.
Celebrity Fans
A Good Day’s Work
The highest winning for one single day came in 2010. Roger Craig took home an astounding $77,000 just by answering a bunch of questions. He blew the next best figure out of the water by $2,000 to become a record holder and incredibly wealthy all in the same day.
A Good Day’s Work
Another Prank
Trebek seems to be fond of tricking the Jeopardy viewers with April Fools’ Day jokes, and he had another great idea to get people laughing. One April 1st he decided to wander out into the studio without wearing any pants. He claimed his prank was to help a nervous contestant feel more at ease on the set.
Another Prank
Animal Loving Host
Alex Trebek is a man of many qualities, and one of those is his love for all things related to animals. He owns his very own ranch and looks after many thoroughbred horses on his 700 acres. Getting on horseback is definitely one way for Trebek to unwind and forget all about Jeopardy whenever he has time to himself.
Animal Loving Host
The Illusion Of Time Passing
Although we are treated to episodes of Jeopardy every day, the cast and crew actually film a week’s worth of episodes in just one day. That means they all have to change their outfits between shows and so does the host. People believe Trebek has around 100 suits for the purpose of wearing at least five per day of shooting.
The Illusion Of Time Passing
Keep It Clean
In years gone by, TV game show contestants had been accused of intimidating judges, but Jeopardy holds itself to higher standards. The show forbids contestants from even making eye contact with the judges, just in case it comes across as intimidating. People answering clues on Jeopardy are often kept isolated from anyone they might influence while the show’s not recording.
Keep It Clean
Man Vs. Machine
Some contestants have been so good on the show that people began to wonder if they were really just talking computers. Jeopardy took two of its greatest ever contestants and pitted them against a real computer to see who or what was better. Despite the humans best efforts, they couldn’t prevent the computer from running away with the cash.
Man Vs. Machine
Questionable Answers
Whenever a contestant gives an answer that needs double checking, the team rely on fact checkers to sort things out. You might expect them to be expert quizzers, but they are just regular people who are really good at fact checking. This small panel of judges will be the ones to decide if a contestant’s answer is passable.
Questionable Answers
Winning Big
Did you know that the show’s biggest ever winner was Ken Jennings? He holds the record for the longest winning streak on the show, stretching to 74 episodes in a row. Back in 2004, Jennings managed to win himself the grand total of $3,196,300, making him the second highest-earning game show contestant ever.
Winning Big
The Biggest Earner
Although Ken Jennings won big, there’s another Jeopardy legend whose taken home more cash than him. Brad Rutter holds the record for most money earned on the show with $4,455,102. The legendary contestant describes himself as a ‘slacker’ in his school years after dropping out of college.
The Biggest Earner
Writing Issues
You might have noticed how bad some of the contestant’s handwriting is. It’s not all their fault as they have to scribble their answers on a tiny screen using an oversized pen. As if that wasn’t bad enough, they’re up against the clock and have to be as quick as possible, resulting in some terrible handwriting.
Writing Issues
Making A Difference
Jeopardy isn’t all about handing out wads of cash to contestants, and it tries to give back to communities as much as possible. The celebrity tournaments held by the show had been going since 1992, and in that time the show has raised over $9 million for charity. Over 200 charities have benefited from the cash raised by Jeopardy.
Making A Difference
Making Enemies
Most contestants on the show have the support of the audience as they are trying their best to earn some cash for themselves in the name of entertainment. Not all contestants are liked by audiences though, as Leonard Cooper found out on Teen Jeopardy. He came across as arrogant and wagered nothing on the final clue.
Making Enemies
Passing The Test
It takes someone special to make it onto the show, and contestants have to pass a tough online test. Around 300,000 people apply to the show through the online test, but only 100,000 of those compete it in time. Those 100,000 are then reduced down to approximately 3,000 who actually make it onto the show.
Passing The Test
Tie Game
For the first time ever all three contestants were tied at the end of the game in 2007. There was no sudden death shootout, instead the show runners allowed them all to come back for the next episode to try winning some more cash. They all finished with $16,000 and must have been happy to get another chance.
Tie Game
Pleasing The Fans
A show that’s been around for 55 years must be popular and thanks to the fans, the show is still around after all this time. It isn’t just fan-pleasing though, it is actually made with care and quality. The show has scooped a total of 33 Daytime Emmy Awards, and there’s little doubt it will continue to add to that collection.
Pleasing The Fans
A First
Proving disability is no barrier, Eddie Timanus became the first ever blind contestant on the show. He used braille cards to assist with the categories and typed out his responses using a keyboard. In a five day streak, Timanus managed to bring home $90,000 but that wasn’t all, he also found a wife after she saw him on TV.
A First
Patience Is A Virtue
Not only is it very difficult for hopeful contestants to get on Jeopardy, but they also have to have a lot of patience. Just to take the test people have to wait up to a year. They then have to answer 50 questions within 15 minutes. That realistically only gives them about 15 seconds to answer each question.
Patience Is A Virtue
Hitting The Road
You might think the show’s research can be done from an office, but there’s more to the show than meets the eye. The crew members of the Jeopardy Clue Club get to travel all over the country to film the show’s final segment. They have traveled to over 280 cities around the world to get the final clue footage.
Hitting The Road
Hosting Duties
Although Alex Trebek has long been the face of Jeopardy, it wasn’t always his priority in life. The legendary host actually produced the first three seasons when it became syndicated, but he gave up those duties to focus on something else. Trebek went on to host NBC’s Classic Concentration, but eventually Jeopardy drew him back in.
Hosting Duties
What Else Is On?
Alex Trebek admitted that he quite often spends time at home watching his own show. The iconic entertainer said that as long as there wasn’t a Lakers game on, he was tuning in to Jeopardy to see how the show went. With five episodes being filmed at one time, he probably forgets more episodes than he remembers.
What Else Is On?
A Record Holder
Alex Trebek is a talented guy, and his name is even in the record books to prove it. The host of the long-running show has made it into the Guinness Book of Records after hosting 6,829 episodes of the show. Of course, that number is even greater now, and no one will likely ever surpass the great host.
A Record Holder
Learning To Buzz
Ken Jennings said that before he went on the show, he studied every aspect of it. Getting the buzzer right can make all the difference, and Ken said he studied when contestants buzzed in. He sat at home with a dummy buzzer during reruns to hone his skills, and it certainly paid off for him.
Learning To Buzz
All Business
Guests learn pretty quickly on the set that they do not get to speak to the host unless he wants to engage with them. Ex-contestants have revealed that Trebek only speaks to them whenever the lights are on, cameras are ready, and someone yells action. When Trebek is on his own time, you better leave him alone!
All Business
Timing Is Everything
Some ex-contestants have described the work that goes behind pressing the buzzer. If you hit it too early, you get timed out for a fraction of a second, which can be the difference between getting it right or someone else taking the cash. Knowledge is important for the show, obviously, but so too is timing.
Timing Is Everything
Feel The Power
You might think that the timeout function of the buzzer is automated, but you’d be wrong. There is actually someone in charge of timing contestants out if they are too quick on the buzzer. We hope they are very fair as that’s a lot of power to hold in their hands.
Feel The Power
International Appeal
The show is a huge hit in America, but that’s not the only country where the show is a success. Jeopardy has proven such a popular format that it has been adapted for n less than 30 different countries. Some of the countries with their own versions include Japan, Argentina, Indonesia, and the Czech Republic.
International Appeal
Cracking Under The Pressure
Some contestants go on the show thinking they’ve got it in the bag, only to crack when the going gets tough. Legendary ex-contestant Ken Jennings has seen a lot during his winning streak. He said that some contestants put extra pressure on themselves by promising their families they’ll win, and Jennings believes they were always the first to choke.
Cracking Under The Pressure
$100 Million For 30 Seconds
Even if you’re not the biggest fan of the show, though we know you really are, you’ll probably recognize the show’s theme tune. The song’s composer, Merv Griffin, is reported to have come up with the jingle in just 30 seconds. Every time it’s played Marv earns royalties, estimated to be worth around $100 million at this stage.
$100 Million For 30 Seconds
Fixing The Height Issue
Have you ever noticed that all the contestants on Jeopardy seem to be the same height? It isn’t the casting crew going out and finding people the same height, there is a magic black tile. According to ex-contestants, players stand on these tiles, and they are adjusted to make sure everyone looks the same height.
Fixing The Height Issue
Fulfilling Dreams
Jeopardy has been going longer than some people’s lifetimes, so it makes sense that people have grown to love it. The show is so popular that it becomes some people’s lifelong dreams to make an appearance on the show. They spend years prepping by watching countless episodes of the show in the hopes of passing the grueling online entrance test.
Fulfilling Dreams
Keeping On Top Of Things
Although it looks like Alex Trebek is doing some important work taking notes when the contestants answer his clues, he’s doing something else. He isn’t taking notes, but simply crossing off the clues he’s already given. That way he won’t accidentally read the same ones again, handing out easy money to the contestants in the process.
Keeping On Top Of Things
History Maker
Back in 1991, Alex Trebek made history. He became the first TV personality to host three different American game shows simultaneously. In 1991 he took over from Lynn Swann as the host of NBC’s To Tell the Truth from February to March. During that time he was also hosting Jeopardy and Classic Concentration, as if he wasn’t busy enough!
History Maker
Tiny Team
Jeopardy is an established show, known by fans all over the world. Despite its global appeal, and size, there is only a very small team behind its success. Only 14 people make the show come to life. There are nine writers and five researchers putting the entire show together. Talk about teamwork!
Tiny Team
How To Prepare
Ex-contestants have given their advice on what it takes to succeed on the quiz show. They recommend doing your research before going on the show by watching as many reruns as you can get your hands on. Some even spend days practicing with flashcards to give them the best chance of winning.
How To Prepare
Hidden Talents
Although Alex Trebek is an accomplished host and is one of the biggest names in entertainment, he’s got a secret talent. Trebek can actually speak a total of 5 languages which will come in handy anytime an international guest appears on the show. Another secret is that the host’s real name is actually Giorgi Suka-Alex Trebek.
Hidden Talents
Not An Overnight Success
Some people have become millionaires through the show, but they couldn’t go out and spend their winnings right away. One previous winner said he had to wait almost six months for the show to pay out his $27,100. Then when the cash did come along, federal tax was taken from it, meaning it was closer to $20,000 won instead.
Not An Overnight Success
Win At All Costs
The aim of the game is to take home as much cash as possible, but sometimes winning is more important as you can come back to fight again. On January 19, 1993, a contestant won with just $1. He got lucky and bet smart by leaving himself with $1 after the final question, that was $1 more than anyone else!
Win At All Costs
Unbeatable Contestant
Brad Rutter holds the record for most cash ever won on the show, and he also has never been beaten on the show. Well, he’s never been beaten by a human contestant anyway. He has made periodical appearances on the show since 2000, raking in millions in cash at every given opportunity.
Unbeatable Contestant
