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{{Short description|American television quiz show}} | |||
:''Jeopardy redirects here. For other uses, see ]'' | |||
{{Redirect|Jeopardy}} | |||
{{infobox television | | |||
{{Good article}} | |||
| show_name = Jeopardy | |||
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}} | |||
| image = ] | |||
{{Infobox television | |||
| caption = ''Jeopardy'' title card | |||
| image = Jeopardy! logo.svg | |||
| format = ] | |||
| image_alt = The stylized ''Jeopardy!'' wordmark, used since 1986. The wordmark is based on URW Type Foundry's "Annual" font. In title cards and bumper cards, the wordmark usually appears in gold or silver against a background colored in shades of blue or red. | |||
| rating = {{TV-G}} | |||
| genre = ] | |||
| runtime = 30 minutes | |||
| creator = ] | |||
| director = {{Plainlist| | |||
| starring = ] (] - Present)<br>] (]-], ]-]) | |||
* Bob Hultgren | |||
| country = ] | |||
* Eleanor Tarshis | |||
| network = ] (]-], ]-])<br>] (] - Present) | |||
* Jeff Goldstein | |||
| first_aired = ] ] | |||
* Dick Schneider | |||
| last_aired = Present | |||
* ] | |||
| num_episodes = | |||
* Clay Jacobsen | |||
|}} | |||
* Lucinda Owens Margolis | |||
'''''Jeopardy!''''' is a very popular international ] ], originally devised by ], who also created '']''. The show originated in the ], where it first ran on ] from 1964 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 1979. Its most successful incarnation is the current ]-hosted syndicated version, which has aired continuously since September 1984. | |||
* Russell Norman | |||
}} | |||
| presenter = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| announcer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| theme_music_composer = {{Plainlist| | |||
* Julann Griffin | |||
* Merv Griffin | |||
* Steve Kaplan | |||
* Chris Bell Music & Sound Design | |||
* ] | |||
}} | |||
| end_theme = "Think!" | |||
| country = United States | |||
| language = English | |||
| num_seasons = 41 | |||
| num_episodes = 9,000+ | |||
| executive_producer = {{hlist|Robert Rubin|Merv Griffin|]|]|]}} | |||
| producer = '']'' | |||
| runtime = 22–26 minutes | |||
| location = The Alex Trebek Stage (formerly Stage 10)<br />], ] | |||
| company = {{Plainlist| | |||
*January Enterprises (1964–1975) | |||
*Califon Enterprises (1978–1979) | |||
* Jeopardy Productions, Inc. (1984–present) | |||
* ] (1964–1975, 1978–1979) | |||
* Merv Griffin Enterprises (1984–1994) | |||
* ] (1994–2002) | |||
* ]{{efn|name=SPTS|As Sony Pictures Television Studios from 2020 to 2023|lead=yes}} (2002–present) | |||
}} | |||
| network = ] | |||
| first_aired = {{Start date|1964|3|30}} | |||
| last_aired = {{End date|1975|1|3}} | |||
| network2 = ] | |||
| first_aired2 = {{Start date|1974}} | |||
| last_aired2 = {{End date|1975}} | |||
| network3 = NBC | |||
| first_aired3 = {{Start date|1978|10|2}} | |||
| last_aired3 = {{End date|1979|3|2}} | |||
| network4 = Daily syndication | |||
| first_aired4 = {{Start date|1984|9|10}} | |||
| last_aired4 = present | |||
| related = {{Plainlist| | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
* '']'' | |||
}} | |||
}} | |||
'''''Jeopardy!''''' is an American television ] created by ]. The show is a ] competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given ] clues in the form of answers and they must identify the person, place, thing, or idea that the clue describes, phrasing each response in the form of a question.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What Are... Some Questions About Jeopardy! |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/behind-scenes/what-are-some-questions-about-jeopardy |access-date=2024-05-28 |website=www.jeopardy.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
''Jeopardy!'' is a game of ], covering topics such as ], ], and ]. During the game, three competing contestants are given a clue in the form of an answer, to which they must give a response in the form of a question. | |||
The original daytime version debuted on ] on March 30, 1964, and aired until January 3, 1975. A nighttime ] edition aired weekly from September 1974 to September 1975, and a revival, '']'', ran on NBC from October 1978 to March 1979 on weekdays. The syndicated show familiar to modern viewers and aired daily (currently by ]{{efn|name=SPTS|lead=yes}}) premiered on September 10, 1984. | |||
==Broadcast history== | |||
The Jeopardy concept was originally created by ], who wanted to take the format of a television ] and make it more enticing by speeding up the game and putting a twist on the format. The original twist, giving clues in the form of answers and expecting replies in the form of questions, was originally the central concept of the show, which was pitched under the title ''What's the Question?''. The name "Jeopardy" was coined when, according to Griffin, a skeptical producer rejected the show claiming "it doesn't have enough jeopardies" (a reasonable complaint, since a winning player in Jeopardy can maintain his lead relatively easily by avoiding risk). Griffin thought the "Jeopardy" name sounded perfect and immediately used it to generate puns like naming the second round of the game ]. | |||
] served as host for all versions of the show between 1964 and 1979. ] served as ] until 1975, and ] announced for the 1978–1979 season. The daily syndicated version premiered in 1984 with ] as host and ] as announcer. Trebek hosted until his death, with his last episode airing January 8, 2021, after over 36 years in the role. Following his death, a variety of guest hosts completed the season<ref name="interim">{{cite web|url=https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/nation-world/jeopardy-resumes-ken-jennings-interim-host/507-f415b628-6b65-4b8a-b0bf-eea176803acc|title=Ken Jennings to host first 'Jeopardy!' episodes airing in January|work=WUSA-TV|date=November 23, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020}}</ref> beginning with record-holding former contestant ], each hosting for a few weeks before passing the role on to someone else. Then-] ] initially assumed the position of permanent host in September 2021, but relinquished the role within a week.<ref name="Mike Richards steps down">{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/business/mike-richards-quits-jeopardy.html|title=Abrupt Exit of New ''Jeopardy!'' Host, Mike Richards, Rattles a TV Institution|work=The New York Times|last1=Grynbaum|first1=Michael|last2=Sperling|first2=Nicole|last3=Jacobs|first3=Julia|date=August 20, 2021|access-date=August 22, 2021|archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20211228/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/08/20/business/mike-richards-quits-jeopardy.html|archive-date=December 28, 2021|url-access=limited}}{{cbignore}}</ref> ] and Jennings served as permanent rotating hosts of the syndicated series until December 2023, when Jennings became the sole syndicated host.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Jeopardy! announcement. |date=December 15, 2023 |author1=missmayim |url=https://www.instagram.com/missmayim/p/C05G11gPBwg/ |access-date=2023-12-16 |website=Instagram |url-status=live |archive-url= https://archive.today/20240323223755/https://www.instagram.com/missmayim/p/C05G11gPBwg/ |archive-date= 23 March 2024 }}</ref> While Bialik was originally arranged to host additional ] ] on ], and ], the announcement of '']'' in 2023 meant these duties were shared as well. Following Bialik's withdrawal in part of supporting writers and actors due to the ], Jennings assumed hosting duties for all forms of media. | |||
] hosted (and ] was the announcer on) the original version, which aired during the day from ] ] to ] ] on NBC for 2,753 shows. Fleming also hosted a short-lived syndicated version in 1974-75, and another short-lived NBC revival, ''The All-New Jeopardy!'', from ] ] to ] ] for 105 shows. (] was that edition's principal announcer.) | |||
] | |||
Currently in its 41st season, ''Jeopardy!'' is one of the longest-running game shows of all time. The show has consistently enjoyed a wide viewership and received many accolades from professional television critics. With over 9,000 episodes aired,<ref name="Jeopardy 8000">{{cite web|url=https://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/james-holzhauer-reaches-new-jeopardy-winnings-milestone/5315851/|title='Jeopardy!' James Holzhauer reaches new winnings milestone|date=May 24, 2019|access-date=May 25, 2019|work=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190525014500/https://abc7chicago.com/entertainment/james-holzhauer-reaches-new-jeopardy-winnings-milestone/5315851/|archive-date=May 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> the daily syndicated version of ''Jeopardy!'' has won a record 45 ]s as well as a ]. In 2013, the program was ranked No. 45 on '']''{{'}}s list of the 60 greatest shows in American television history. ''Jeopardy!'' has also gained a worldwide following with ] in many other countries. | |||
The original NBC version largely gained its popularity from college students and businesspeople who would watch the show during their lunch breaks, as the program aired for most of its network run at 12 Noon Eastern/11 Central. Many of those people who fondly remembered the game would constitute a ready-made audience for the 1984 premiere of the ] version. In fact, the show's 1975 cancellation was largely due to the network's relocating the show to two different time slots during the previous year, first at 10:30/9:30 a.m., opposite CBS' "]" and "]", and then finally at 1:30/12:30 p.m., against the high-rated "]" on CBS and another game, "]" on ABC. With those moves (which some have said were deliberate on the network's part due to tensions between daytime programmers and Griffin), the show lost most of its traditional followers, and NBC, in exchange to Griffin for the last remaining year on ''Jeopardy's'' contract, permitted him to create a new show in its place, '']'', which debuted ], ]. | |||
{{TOC limit|3}} | |||
==Gameplay== | |||
The 1970s ] version was mainly an attempt by Griffin to keep the show going in the face of its imminent doom on NBC. It was noteworthy mainly for two things: at the program's end after "Final Jeopardy!", the winning contestant got a chance to select a prize hidden behind the slots on the main game board (numbered 1–30, à la '']''); and host ] appeared dressed in a tuxedo with check-patterned jackets, instead of his customary business suit. None of these things helped this seemingly futile effort, and the show ran only one season, from ] ] to ] ]; it is quite likely that most stations dropped the program even earlier than the end of the season, probably not long after the network version's demise. | |||
{{Redirect|Double Jeopardy!|other uses|Double Jeopardy (disambiguation){{!}}Double Jeopardy}} | |||
Each game of ''Jeopardy!'' features three contestants competing in three rounds: Jeopardy!, Double Jeopardy!, and Final Jeopardy!{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} In each round, contestants are presented trivia clues phrased as answers, to which they must respond in the form of a question that correctly identifies whatever the clue is describing.{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} For example, instead of asking, "Who is the only U.S. President to marry in the White House?" and the answer being "]", the clue is "He is the only U.S. president to marry in the White House" and the contestant would respond by asking "Who is Grover Cleveland?"{{Sfn|Jennings|2006|pp=XII}} | |||
] | |||
The 1964 to 1975 airings originated from NBC headquarters in New York's ]; it has been based in Southern California starting with the 1978 revival. | |||
The Jeopardy! and Double Jeopardy! rounds each feature game boards consisting of six categories with five clues each. The clues are valued by dollar amounts from lowest to highest, ostensibly by difficulty.{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} The values of the clues increased over time, with those in the Double Jeopardy! round always being double the range of the Jeopardy! round.{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} On the original ''Jeopardy!'' series, clue values in the first round ranged from $10 to $50 in the Jeopardy! round and $20 to $100 in Double Jeopardy!{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=13}} On ''The All-New Jeopardy!'', they ranged from $25 to $125 and $50 to $250. The 1984 series' clue values originally ranged from $100 to $500 in Jeopardy! and $200 to $1,000 in Double Jeopardy!{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} These ranges were increased to $200–$1,000 and $400–$2,000, respectively, on November 26, 2001.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Show No. 3966 (Harold Skinner vs. Geoffrey Zimmermann vs. Kristin Lawhead)|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndicated|air-date=November 26, 2001}}</ref> | |||
The current version, with Trebek as host and ] as the announcer, debuted on ] ] (according to page 30 of Ray Richmond's book ''This is Jeopardy!''), and perennially ranks second to '']'' in the ] of ] programs. In 2005, it won its 10th Daytime Emmy for best game show, surpassing '']''. | |||
Gameplay begins when the returning champion selects a clue by indicating its category and dollar value. The two (or if there is no returning champion, three) challengers participate in a random draw prior to taping to determine contestant order, and if there is no returning champion, the contestant who drew the first lectern starts. The underlying clue is revealed and read aloud by the host, after which any contestant may ring in using a ]. The first contestant to successfully ring in is prompted to respond to the clue by stating a question containing the correct answer to the clue. Any grammatically coherent question with the correct answer within it counts as a correct response.<ref name=ap-amodio>{{cite web|url=https://www.boston.com/culture/tv/2021/08/13/jeopardy-champ-matt-amodios-analytic-style-is-a-winner/|title='Jeopardy!' champ Matt Amodio's analytic style is a winner|first=Lynn|last=Elber|agency=Associated Press|date=August 13, 2021|access-date=August 13, 2021}}</ref> If the contestant responds correctly, its dollar value is added to the contestant's score, and they may select a new clue from the board. An incorrect response or failure to respond within five seconds deducts the clue's value from the contestant's score and allows the other contestants the opportunity to ring in and respond. If the response is not technically incorrect but otherwise judged too vague, the contestant is given additional time to provide a more specific response.{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} Whenever none of the contestants ring in and respond correctly, the host gives the correct response, and the player who selected the previous clue chooses the next clue.<ref name="Gameplay rules">{{Cite book|title=Jeopardy! DVD Home Game System Instruction Booklet|year=2007|publisher=]}}</ref> Gameplay continues until the board is cleared or the round's time length expires, which is typically indicated by a beeping sound. | |||
The show was the subject of great interest and increased ratings (often beating ''Wheel'') in the second half of 2004, as contestant ], taking advantage of newly relaxed appearance rules, remained a champion for seventy-four appearances, winning over ]2.5 million, and breaking almost every record in game show history. | |||
The contestant who has the lowest score selects the first clue to start the Double Jeopardy! round.<ref name="Gameplay rules"/> Since 2021, if there is a tie for the contestant with the lowest score, the contestant with the last correct question among the tied players selects first.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Davies |first1=Michael |last2=Foss |first2=Sarah |title=What is the Tournament of Champions? |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UpGKlwIB1VI |website=Inside Jeopardy! |date=August 15, 2022 |publisher=Sony Pictures Television |access-date=August 23, 2022 |ref=InsideJeopardy!}}</ref> | |||
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A "Daily Double" clue is hidden behind one clue in the Jeopardy! round, and two in Double Jeopardy!{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} The name and inspiration were taken from a ].{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|pp=2–3}} Daily Double clues with a sound or video component are known as "Audio Daily Doubles" or "Video Daily Doubles", respectively. Before the clue is revealed, the contestant who has selected the Daily Double must declare a wager, from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of their entire score (known as a "true Daily Double") or the highest clue value available in the round, whichever is greater.<ref name="Gameplay rules"/><ref name="5-rules">{{cite web|title=5 Rules Every Jeopardy! Contestant Should Know|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/5-rules-every-contestant-should-know|website=Jeopardy! Official Site|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions|access-date=October 12, 2016|date=October 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161012151913/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/5-rules-every-contestant-should-know|archive-date=October 12, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Only the contestant who chooses the Daily Double is allowed to answer. A correct response adds the value of the wager to the contestant's score while an incorrect response or failure to provide a response deducts the same value. Whether the contestant responds correctly or not, they choose the next clue.<ref name="Gameplay rules"/> | |||
==Game play== | |||
===Round 1: Jeopardy!=== | |||
] | |||
], at the ''Ultimate Tournament of Champions''.]] | |||
Each day, there are three ]s, one of whom is usually the champion, who play a three-round game. The first round is simply called the "Jeopardy!"round. | |||
During the Jeopardy! round, contestants are not penalized for forgetting to phrase their response in the form of a question, although the host will remind them to watch their phrasing in future responses. In the Double Jeopardy! round and in the Daily Double in the Jeopardy! round, the phrasing rule is followed more strictly, with a response only able to be ruled as correct if it is phrased properly in question form. A contestant who initially does not phrase a response in the form of a question must re-phrase it before the host rules against them.<ref name="5-rules" /> | |||
Six categories are announced, each with a column of five trivia 'answers' (i.e., questions written in answer form), ostensibly graded by difficulty. Each category is a topical category, and the categories change on each show; frequently, they contain ]s or other wordplay. (Column number 6, the one furthest to the right, usually contains the wordplay category.) The names of the six categories are sometimes related in some way (e.g., titles of ] plays, although only one may actually concern the famous playwright). | |||
Contestants are encouraged to select the clues in order from lowest to highest value, as the clues are sometimes written in each category to flow from one to the next. Deviating from this is known as the "Forrest Bounce",{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=176}} a strategy in which contestants randomly pick clues to confuse opponents that was first used in 1985 by ], who won over $70,000 in his initial run as champion. Trebek expressed that this strategy not only annoyed him but also the staff, since it disrupts the rhythm that develops when revealing the clues and increases the potential for error.<ref>{{cite web|first=David|last=Marchese|url=https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/alex-trebek-jeopardy-in-conversation.html|title=In Conversation: Alex Trebek|work=Vulture.com|date=November 12, 2018|access-date=November 13, 2018|quote=What bothers me is when contestants jump all over the board even after the Daily Doubles have been dealt with. Why are they doing that? They’re doing themselves a disservice. When the show's writers construct categories they do it so that there's a flow in terms of difficulty, and if you jump to the bottom of the category you may get a clue that would be easier to understand if you’d begun at the top of the category and saw how the clues worked.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113001332/https://www.vulture.com/2018/11/alex-trebek-jeopardy-in-conversation.html|archive-date=November 13, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Another strategy used by some contestants is to play all of the higher-valued clues first and build up a substantial lead, starting at the bottom of the board. This strategy was regularly used by ] during his winning streak between April and June 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-winner-james-holzhauer-sets-sights-new-record-t152397|title=A Las Vegas pro gambler is rewriting the 'Jeopardy!' record book – here's how|first=Scott|last=Stump|work=]|date=April 18, 2019|access-date=April 20, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190420122141/https://www.today.com/popculture/jeopardy-winner-james-holzhauer-sets-sights-new-record-t152397|archive-date=April 20, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=185}} | |||
The values of each of the five answers are thus: | |||
From the premiere of the original ''Jeopardy!'' until the end of the 1984–85 syndicated season, contestants were allowed to ring in as soon as the clue was revealed. Since September 1985, contestants are required to wait until the clue is read before ringing in. To accommodate the rule change, lights were added to the game board (unseen by home viewers) to signify when it is permissible for contestants to signal.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|pp=59–60}} Attempting to signal before the light goes on locks the contestant out for half of a second.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=41}} The change was made to allow the home audience to play along more easily and to keep an extremely fast contestant from potentially dominating the game. In pre-1985 episodes, a sound accompanied a contestant ringing in. According to Trebek, the sound was eliminated because it was "distracting to the viewers" and presented a problem when contestants rang in while Trebek was still reading the clue.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|pp=59–60}} Contestants who are visually impaired or blind are given a card with the category names printed in ] before each round begins.<ref name=NYPost-Timanus>{{cite news |newspaper=New York Post |title=No Question He's a Champ – Blind Quiz-Show Whiz Buzzes His Way to Cool 70G |author=Don Kaplan |date=October 22, 1999 |access-date=June 18, 2022 |url=https://nypost.com/1999/10/22/no-question-hes-a-champ-blind-quiz-show-whiz-buzzes-his-way-to-cool-70g/ |quote=To accommodate Timanus, the show eliminated video Daily Doubles and other clues that were completely video-based. The show also provided Timanus with a Braille card that listed the categories for each round and a computer keyboard so that he could enter his wagers and responses in Final Jeopardy.}}</ref><ref name=Jwebsite-Timanus>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/news-events/vault-4-weeks-jeopardy-milestones |title=From the Vault: 4 Weeks of Jeopardy! Milestones |quote=Only minor adjustments were made to accommodate Eddie: He was given the category names printed in Braille on a card at the start of each round, and a keyboard to enter his Final Jeopardy! response. This was truly an historic event. |website=Jeopardy! official website |date=July 16, 2020 |access-date=June 18, 2022 }}</ref> | |||
*1964–1975: $10, $20, $30, $40, $50 | |||
*1978–1979: $25, $50, $75, $100, $125 | |||
*1984–2001: $100, $200, $300, $400, $500 | |||
*2001–present: $200, $400, $600, $800, $1000 (these values were also used for the 1990 ''Super Jeopardy!'' tournament during the Jeopardy! round.) | |||
To ensure fairness in competition and accuracy in scores, the judges double-check their own rulings throughout each episode. If it is determined at any point that a previous response was wrongly ruled correct or incorrect during the taping of an episode, the scores are adjusted at the first available opportunity, typically either at the start of the next round/segment or immediately after a Daily Double is found, with the host providing any necessary explanation regarding the changes. If an error that may have affected the result is not discovered until after taping of an episode is completed, the affected contestants are invited back to compete on a future show complying with federal quiz show regulations.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=64}} | |||
The returning champion (standing at the leftmost lectern) begins the game by selecting a category and monetary value ("Presidents for $200"). The host then reads the 'answer' ("He was the Father of Our Country; he didn't really chop down a cherry tree"), after which any of the three contestants may ring in, placing the response in question form ("''Who was'' George Washington?"). Though contestants usually respond in the form of a question in both rounds, it is a little known fact that this is only required during Double Jeopardy to get credit for a correct response. Simply stating the correct answer is enough in the first round. | |||
Contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with zero dollars or a negative score are automatically eliminated from the game at that point and awarded a consolation prize. On at least one episode hosted by Art Fleming, all three contestants finished Double Jeopardy! with zero dollars or less, and as a result, no Final Jeopardy! round was played.{{Sfn|Fabe|1979}} This rule is still in place for the syndicated version,{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=142}} although staff has suggested that it is not set in stone and they may decide to display the clue for home viewers' play if such a situation were ever to occur.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/four-rare-jeopardy-scenarios |title=Breaking Down Four Rare ''Jeopardy!'' Scenarios |date=February 16, 2016 |website=Jeopardy! official website |publisher=6 Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. |access-date=October 10, 2016 |quote=In the event all three contestants have $0 (zero) or minus amounts at the end of Double Jeopardy!, no Final Jeopardy! round was played. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161007222121/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/four-rare-jeopardy-scenarios |archive-date=October 7, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
A correct response wins the dollar value of the clue, and gives him/her the right to select the next clue. If he/she is incorrect or failed to answer in time, that amount is deducted (hence, the dollar amount was always in jeopardy) and his/her opponents could answer. If all three contestants fail to answer or give wrong questions, the correct answer is read, and the player who gave the last correct response chooses the next clue. | |||
===Final Jeopardy!=== | |||
The current scores are shown on the front of each player's podium; on the current set, positive scores are shown in blue, negative scores in red. Negative scores often happen, when contestants make enough incorrect responses. | |||
{{Redirect|Final Jeopardy!|other uses|Final Jeopardy (disambiguation){{!}}Final Jeopardy}} | |||
The Final Jeopardy! round features a single clue. At the end of the Double Jeopardy! round, the host announces the Final Jeopardy! category and a commercial break follows. Contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with less than $1 do not participate in this round. During the break, partitions are placed between the contestant lecterns, and each contestant makes a final wager; they may wager any amount of their earnings, but may not wager certain numbers with connotations that are deemed inappropriate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://news.yahoo.com/jeopardy-players-cant-wagers-nodding-144821770.html |title='Jeopardy' players aren't allowed to make wagers referencing sex, Nazis, or Satan |date=April 28, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190501121047/https://news.yahoo.com/jeopardy-players-cant-wagers-nodding-144821770.html |archive-date=May 1, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Contestants write their wagers using a ] on an electronic display on their lectern within a time limit of five minutes, during which they also phrase the question, which is pre-written during the wager.{{Sfn|Dutta|1999|p=xxix}} After the break, the Final Jeopardy! clue is revealed and read by the host. The contestants have 30 seconds to write their responses on the electronic display, while the show's "Think!" music plays. If either the display or the pen malfunctions, contestants can manually write their responses and wagers using an index card and marker, although the index card has the required phrasing pre-printed on each side ("Who/What"). Visually impaired or blind contestants typically type their responses and wagers with a computer keyboard.<ref name=NYPost-Timanus/><ref name=Jwebsite-Timanus/> | |||
Contestants' responses are revealed in order of their pre-Final Jeopardy! scores from lowest to highest. Once a correct response is revealed the host confirms it. Otherwise, the host reveals the correct response if all contestants responded incorrectly. A correct response adds the amount of the contestant's wager to their score. A miss, failure to respond, insufficiently specific response, misspelling that affects the pronunciation of the answer, or failure to phrase the response as a question (even if correct) deducts it.<ref name="Gameplay rules"/> | |||
====Daily Doubles==== | |||
In each game, three answers are designated ']' (a name taken from ]): one in the Jeopardy! round and two in the Double Jeopardy! round. Only the contestant who selects a Daily Double can respond to its clue. They can wager as much as the maximum amount of a clue on the board (currently $1000 in the Jeopardy! round and $2000 in the Double Jeopardy! round) or as much as they have accumulated, whichever is greater. (They are permitted to make the wager of the maximum amount even if they have zero or negative score.) The minimum wager is $5. A player may also indicate that they wish to make it a 'True Daily Double', meaning that they are wagering all the money that they have up to that point. Two other Daily Doubles are sometimes used, a Video Daily Double and an Audio Daily Double. | |||
The contestant with the highest score at the end of the round is that day's winner. If there is a tie for second place, consolation prizes are awarded based on the scores going into the Final Jeopardy! round. If all three contestants finish with zero dollars, no one returns as champion for the next show, and based on scores going into the Final Jeopardy! round, the two contestants who were first and second receive the second-place prize, and the contestant in third receives the third-place prize. | |||
====Ringing in==== | |||
Before the 1985–1986 season, contestants could ring in anytime after the clue was revealed. Now, in order to give all three contestants a fair shot at the clue, they must wait until the host finishes reading the clue and the lights surrounding the board illuminate before they can ring in, and pressing the signaling button too soon locks it for one quarter of a ]. For easy clues, ringing in at the right moment is important. | |||
Various researchers have studied Final Jeopardy! wagering strategies. If the leader's score is more than twice the second place contestant's score (a situation known as a "runaway game"), the leader can guarantee victory by making a sufficiently small wager.<ref name="gilbert-hatcher">{{cite journal|last1=Gilbert|first1=George T.|last2=Hatcher|first2=Rhonda L.|title=Wagering in Final Jeopardy!|journal=Mathematics Magazine|date=October 1, 1994|volume=67|issue=4|pages=268|doi=10.2307/2690846|jstor=2690846| issn=0025-570X}}</ref>{{rp|269}} Otherwise, according to ''Jeopardy!'' College Champion Keith Williams, the leader usually wagers an amount that would be a dollar greater than twice the second place contestant's score, guaranteeing a win with a correct response.<ref name="williams-on-wagering">{{cite web|last1=Williams|first1=Keith|title=Keith Williams on Wagering|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/wagering-keith-williams|website=Jeopardy! official website|publisher=Sony Pictures Entertainment, Inc.|access-date=July 16, 2017|date=September 1, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625160432/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/wagering-keith-williams|archive-date=June 25, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing about ''Jeopardy!'' wagering in the 1990s, mathematicians George Gilbert and ] said that "most players wager aggressively".<ref name="gilbert-hatcher" />{{rp|269}} | |||
====Questioning==== | |||
The phrasing rule ("What is ..." or "What's...") is quite strict, especially in the later rounds. For instance, if a player simply said "Titanic" as his/her response before his/her alloted time expired, he/she would be ruled incorrect because of the failure to reply in question form (even if "Titanic" were the correct response). Fleming and Trebek will remind contestants to phrase their responses in the form of a question in the first round, but never during Double Jeopardy! or Final Jeopardy!). However, if a contestant corrects himself/herself before time expires, the response is ruled valid. | |||
===Winnings=== | |||
For responses calling for foreign words, contestants may phrase their response as a "what is" question correctly phrased in the foreign language. For example, when the category was "A category about nothing" and the clue was "en español," ] responded, "¿Qué es nada?". In another episode, Ken responded with "What be ]?". Also, on the episode aired ], ], in the category "From the ]," the clue was "It's a hint or trace of something (sounds like of Campbell's)." Steve Chernicoff responded, "Qu'est-ce que c'est un soupçon?" | |||
The top scorer in each game is paid their winnings in cash and returns to play in the next match. Non-winners receive consolation prizes instead of their winnings in the game. Since May 16, 2002, consolation prizes have been awarded in cash—$2,000 for second-place contestants and $1,000 for third-place contestants.<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Show No. 4089 (Ronnie O'Rourke vs. Ben Tritle vs. Allison Owens)|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndicated|date=May 16, 2002}}</ref> Since travel and lodging are generally not provided for contestants, cash consolation prizes offset these costs. Production covers the cost of travel for returning champions and players invited back because of errors who must make multiple trips to Los Angeles. Production also covers the cost of travel if a tournament travels (does not stay in Los Angeles) on the second week.{{Sfn|Jennings|2006|p=122}} Starting in Season 40, according to the official podcast in August 2023, as a result of inflation, consolation prizes were raised $1,000 each to $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third. | |||
During Art Fleming's hosting run, all three contestants received their winnings in cash where applicable. This was changed at the start of Trebek's hosting run to avoid the problem of contestants who stopped participating in the game, or avoided wagering in Final Jeopardy!, rather than risk losing the money they had already won. This also allowed the increase to clue values since only one contestant's score is paid instead of three.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=57}} From 1984 to 2002, non-winning contestants on the Trebek version received vacation packages and merchandise, which were donated by manufacturers as promotional consideration. Since 2004, a presenting sponsor has provided cash prizes to the losing contestants.{{Sfn|Mogel|2004|p=148}} | |||
===Round 2: Double Jeopardy!=== | |||
The second round, Double Jeopardy! (a ] on ]), works like the first round, with the following exceptions: | |||
*The categories are different. | |||
*The value of each clue is double what it was in the first round (except in the case of the 1990 ''Super Jeopardy!'' tournament): | |||
**1964–1975: $20, $40, $60, $80, $100 | |||
**1978–1979: $50, $100, $150, $200, $250 | |||
**1984–2001: $200, $400, $600, $800, $1000 | |||
**1990 ''Super Jeopardy!'' tournament: 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 2500 | |||
**2001–present: $400, $800, $1200, $1600, $2000 | |||
*The contestant with the lowest amount of money at the end of the first round picks first in the second round. | |||
*In the current version, prior to ], the set would change from blue to red starting with this round. | |||
*Also, in the 1978–1979 version only, only the two highest-scoring players at the end of Round 1 played Double Jeopardy!; the third-place player was eliminated before the start of the round. | |||
===Returning champions=== | |||
====Finishing Double Jeopardy! with $0 (or less)==== | |||
The winner of each episode returns to compete against two new contestants on the next episode. Originally, a contestant who won five consecutive days retired undefeated and was guaranteed a spot in the Tournament of Champions. The five-day limit was eliminated September 8, 2003.<ref>{{Cite press release|title=''Jeopardy!'' Premieres Milestone 20th Anniversary Season September 8, 2003: America's Favorite Quiz Show Launches Season 20 With Many Exciting and Historic "Firsts"|url=http://www.kingworld.com/PressRelease.aspx?pressReleaseID=126|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928190202/http://www.kingworld.com/PressRelease.aspx?pressReleaseID=126|archive-date=September 28, 2007|publisher=King World|date=September 4, 2003|access-date=November 29, 2006}}</ref> | |||
Sometimes, contestants will finish Double Jeopardy! with either $0 or a negative score. If that happens, they are automatically eliminated from the game and not allowed to participate in the game's final round, Final Jeopardy! In this case, the contestant(s) receive ]s, which (beginning in May 2002) are $1,000 for third place and $2,000 for second place. | |||
In rare instances, contestants tie for first place. The rules related to ties have changed over time. Since November 24, 2014,<ref name="jeopardy-contestants-tie">{{cite web|title='Jeopardy!' contestants tie, forcing rare sudden death clue|url=http://wgntv.com/2018/03/02/jeopardy-contestants-tie-forcing-rare-sudden-death-clue/|publisher=WGN-TV|date=March 2, 2018|access-date=March 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302183341/http://wgntv.com/2018/03/02/jeopardy-contestants-tie-forcing-rare-sudden-death-clue/|archive-date=March 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> ties for first place following Final Jeopardy! are broken with a tie-breaker clue, resulting in only one champion being named, keeping their winnings, and returning to compete in the next show. The tied contestants are given the category and read the single clue, and the first contestant to buzz-in must give the correct question. A contestant cannot win by default if the opponent gives an incorrect question or forgets to phrase the response as a question (even if correct). The contestant must give a correct question to win the game. If neither player gives the correct question, another clue is given.<ref>{{cite web|title=Breaking Down Four Rare ''Jeopardy!'' Scenarios|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/four-rare-jeopardy-scenarios|work=Jeopardy! Official Site|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions|date=February 16, 2016|access-date=February 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301064513/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/four-rare-jeopardy-scenarios|archive-date=March 1, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Previously, if two or all three contestants tied for first place, they were declared "co-champions", and each retained his or her winnings and (unless one was a five-time champion who retired prior to 2003) returned on the following episode. A tie occurred on the January 29, 2014, episode when ], leading at the end of Double Jeopardy!, wagered to tie challenger Carolyn Collins rather than winning. Chu followed ''Jeopardy!'' College Champion Keith Williams's advice to wager for the tie to increase the leader's chances of winning.<ref name="higgins">{{cite web|last1=Higgins|first1=Chris|title=6 Elements of Arthur Chu's Jeopardy! Strategy|url=http://mentalfloss.com/article/54823/6-elements-arthur-chus-jeopardy-strategy|website=Mental Floss|access-date=June 9, 2016|date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160614010320/http://mentalfloss.com/article/54823/6-elements-arthur-chus-jeopardy-strategy|archive-date=June 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kim">{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Susanna|title='Hero-Villain' Jeopardy! Contestant Returns to Game Show Feb. 24|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/villain-hero-jeopardy-contestants-game-theory-strategy-irks/story?id=22350281|website=ABC News|date=February 3, 2014|access-date=June 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514004652/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/villain-hero-jeopardy-contestants-game-theory-strategy-irks/story?id=22350281|archive-date=May 14, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> A three-way (non-zero) tie for first place has only occurred once on the syndicated version hosted by Trebek, on March 16, 2007, when Scott Weiss, Jamey Kirby, and Anders Martinson all ended the game with $16,000.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeopardy! History is Made with First-Ever Three-Way Tie |url=http://www.jeopardy.com/announcement_20070314_3wt.php |work=Jeopardy! Official Site |publisher=Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions |date=March 18, 2007 |archive-date=May 9, 2008 |access-date=February 1, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080509015708/http://www.jeopardy.com/announcement_20070314_3wt.php }}</ref>{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=141}} Until March 1, 2018,<ref name="jeopardy-contestants-tie" /><ref name="jeopardy-first-a-tiebreaker">{{cite web|title=Jeopardy! First: a Tiebreaker|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/a-jeopardy-tiebreaker|website=jeopardy.com|access-date=March 2, 2018|language=en|date=March 1, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302225347/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/features/a-jeopardy-tiebreaker|archive-date=March 2, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> no regular game had ended in a tie-breaker. | |||
Usually, it is only one contestant that gets eliminated from Final Jeopardy! However, on rare occasions, two contestants have been disqualified from playing, leaving the first-place player to provide a question to the Final Jeopardy! answer alone. The last show where two contestants finished 'in the red' aired on ], ] during the ] (only Jeff Richmond advanced to Final Jeopardy!) | |||
If no contestant finishes Final Jeopardy! with a positive total, there is no winner and three new contestants compete on the next episode. This has happened on several episodes, including the second episode hosted by Trebek.{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=139–140}}<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 2 (Greg Hopkins vs. Lynne Crawford vs. Paul Schaffer)|series=Jeopardy!|date=September 11, 1984|network=Syndicated}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 3190 (Steve Sosnick vs. Robert Levy vs. Marion Arkin)|series=Jeopardy!|date=June 12, 1998|network=Syndicated}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 7216 (Mike Drummond vs. Claudia Corriere vs. Randi Kristensen)|series=Jeopardy!|date=January 18, 2016|network=Syndicated}}</ref> A winner unable to return as champion because of a change in personal circumstances{{snd}}for example, illness or a job offer{{snd}}may be allowed to appear as a co-champion (now a rare occurrence since the co-champion rule was disestablished in early Season 31) in a later episode.<ref>{{cite episode|title = Show No. 5611 (Michele Lee Amundsen vs. Lori Karman vs. Matt Kohlstedt)|series = Jeopardy!|date=January 19, 2009|network=Syndicated}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 5669 (Jeff Mangum vs. Priscilla Ball vs. Rick Robbins)|series=Jeopardy!|date=April 9, 2009|network=Syndicated}}</ref><ref>{{cite episode|title = Show No. 7196 (Shoshana Gordon Ginsburg vs. Jay O'Brien vs. Liz Quesnelle)|series = Jeopardy!|date=December 21, 2015|network=Syndicated}}</ref> | |||
There has never been an instance where ''all three'' contestants finished "Double Jeopardy!" with $0 or less, thereby disqualifying everyone from "Final Jeopardy!", at least on the 1984 syndicated version. It is currently unknown whether a three-way disqualification from "Final Jeopardy!" ever happened on the 1964 NBC version. It is unknown how the time normally used to play "Final Jeopardy!" would be filled, since this has never happened on the syndicated version. | |||
=== |
===Variations for tournament play=== | ||
Throughout each season, ''Jeopardy!'' features various special tournaments for particular groups (as named in "]" below). Each year at the Tournament of Champions, the players who had won the most games and money in the previous season come back to compete against each other for a large cash prize. Tournaments generally feature 15 contestants and run for 10 consecutive episodes. They generally take place across three rounds: the quarterfinal round (five games), the semifinal round (three games), and the final round (two games). | |||
] | |||
In "Final Jeopardy!", the host first announces the category, then the show goes into a ] break (during which the staff comes on stage and advises the contestants while barriers are placed between the players to discourage looking at one another's answers). The contestants then risk as little as $0 or as much money as they have accumulated, by writing it on a card (before 1979) or electronic drawing board (since 1984). After the final commercial break, the clue is revealed. Contestants have 30 seconds to write a response on a card/electronic drawing board, again phrased in the form of a question. The ] is automatically cut off at the end of the 30 seconds. | |||
The first five episodes, the quarterfinals, feature three new contestants each day. Other than in the Tournament of Champions, the quarterfinals are unseeded and contestants participate in a random draw to determine playing order and lectern positions over the course of the five games. The Tournament of Champions is ] based on total winnings in regular games to determine playing order and lectern positions, with the top five players occupying the champion's lectern for the quarterfinal games. Since the removal of the five-game limit in 2003, in the unlikely case of a tie in total winnings between two Tournament of Champions players, the player who won the most games receives the higher seed. If still tied, seeding is determined by comparing the tied players' previous aggregate scores. | |||
There are two instances where the electronic pens are not used. If, for any reason, the contestant has a problem with the electronic board and/or pen, he or she can write down their response on an index card with a marker. The other instance is with blind contestants (like Eddie Timanus), where the board and pen are replaced with a Braille typing machine. | |||
The winners of the five quarterfinal games and the four highest-scoring non-winners ("wild cards") advance to the semifinals, which run for three days. The semifinals are seeded with the quarterfinal winners being seeded 1–5 based on their quarterfinal scores, and the wild cards being seeded 6–9. The winners of the quarterfinal games with the three highest scores occupy the champion's lectern for the semifinals. The winners of the three semifinal games advance to play in a two-game final match, in which the scores from both games are combined to determine the overall standings. This format has been used since the first Tournament of Champions in 1985 and was devised by Trebek himself.{{Sfn|Eisenberg|1993|p=75}} | |||
As with the rest of the show, responses in "Final Jeopardy!" must be phrased in the form of a question. During the 1984–1985 season, a few contestants lost their games solely because they had forgotten to do this. As losing a game because of forgetting two words made for very bad television, contestants have been instructed to write the beginning of their "Final Jeopardy!" question during the commercial break after "Double Jeopardy!" since the beginning of the 1985–1986 season. | |||
To prevent later contestants from playing to beat the earlier wild card scores instead of playing to win, contestants are "completely isolated from the studio until it is their time to compete".{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=174}} | |||
===Cash prizes=== | |||
The top money-winner at the end of "Final Jeopardy!" is the day's champion and returns to the next show. | |||
If none of the contestants in a standard 15-player tournament format quarterfinal end with a positive score, no contestant automatically qualifies from that game, and an additional wild card contestant advances instead.<ref name="Teen Tournament Semifinal">{{Cite episode|title=Teen Tournament Semi-final Game 2 (Tori Amos vs. Joe Vertnik vs. Kelton Ellis)|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndicated|date=February 7, 2013}}</ref> This occurred in the quarterfinals of the 1991 Seniors Tournament and the semifinals of the 2013 Teen Tournament, where the rule was in effect during the semifinals, but after that tournament the rule has changed for semifinals and finals.<ref name="Teen Tournament Semifinal"/> | |||
During the 1964 NBC and 1974 syndicated versions, all three contestants kept whatever cash they won. On the syndicated once-a-week version which aired from 1974–75, the winner chose one of 30 spaces, each of which concealed a prize such as a vacation, a car, or cash. The top prize was $25,000 in cash. | |||
As the players are not isolated during the semifinals the way they are during the quarterfinals, show officials discovered a flaw after the 2013 Teen Tournament, because the triple zero loss happened in the second semifinal that allowed the third semifinal of the 2013 Teen Tournament to be played differently from the first (which was played before the triple zero loss). Starting with the 2013 Tournament of Champions, semifinal games, like the two-game finals, must have a winner. Players who participate in Final Jeopardy! will participate in the standard tie-breaker, regardless of the score being zero or a positive score. Similarly, if all three players have a zero score at the end of a two-game match, a normal tournament finals format will proceed to a tie-breaker. In a tournament format where a player must win multiple games to win the tournament, such as the 2020 Greatest of All Time or 2022 Tournament of Champions, or in the quarterfinals of tournaments without wild cards where a player must win the game to advance (21 or 27 players), the tie-breaker will be used regardless of the score being zero or positive for players to win the game and either advance to the next round or receive the point towards winning the tournament. This was confirmed by Ken Jennings in a post-match interview posted on the show's website during the Season 40 Champions Wildcard Tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=Go Big or Go Home! - Overheard on Set - JEOPARDY! |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wftwV06jUf8 |website=Youtube | date=November 9, 2023 |publisher=Sony Pictures Television |access-date=2023-12-18 |ref=OverheardS40CWC}}</ref> | |||
Before 1979, all contestants won their winnings in cash. Since 1984, in an attempt to discourage "runaway consolations" (where second- and third-place players keep money as close to that of the first-place winner as possible), only the champion wins the amount of money accumulated on the show, and the other two contestants win ]s. However, in 2002, it was changed so that the second place finisher gets $2,000 and the third place finisher gets $1,000. The change was made so that contestants who had to pay to travel to ] would at least win enough money to cover airfare and lodging costs. | |||
In the standard tournament finals format, contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with a zero dollars or negative score on either day do not play Final Jeopardy! that day. Their score for that leg is recorded as zero dollars. | |||
====Special cases==== | |||
* If no contestant finishes with a positive total (i.e., at least $1), then nobody wins and three new contestants appear on the following show; in such cases the three players will participate in a backstage draw to determine player position. The three-way loss has happened three times since 1984; the number of times this occurred during the 1964 NBC version is undetermined. | |||
==Conception and development== | |||
* If more than one contestant ties for first place, they each win the money and come back, assuming that they each have at least $1. (One contestant in the Trebek era actually won the game with only $1 ; there have been few players who have held the co-champ title twice, and there has never been a three-way tie). | |||
] | |||
In a 1963 ] profile released shortly before the original ''Jeopardy!'' series premiered, ] offered the following account of how he created the quiz show: | |||
{{blockquote|My wife Julann just came up with the idea one day when we were in a plane bringing us back to New York City from ]. I was mulling over game show ideas, when she noted that there had not been a successful "question and answer" game on the air since the ]. Why not do a switch, and give the answers to the contestant and let them come up with the question? She fired a couple of answers to me: "5,280"{{emdash}}and the question of course was "How many feet in a mile?" Another was "79 Wistful Vista"; that was ] address. I loved the idea, went straight to ] with the idea, and they bought it without even looking at a pilot show.<ref name="lowry">{{cite news|last=Lowry|first=Cynthia|title=Merv Griffin: Question and Answer Man|agency=Associated Press|newspaper=]|date = March 29, 1963}}</ref><ref name=autogenerated1>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1989/05/01/119810/television-for-1000-the-worlds-toughest-game-show-what-is-jeopardy- |title=What Is Jeopardy!'? |last1=Lidz |first1=Franz |date=May 1, 1989 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |access-date=October 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160423161445/http://www.si.com/vault/1989/05/01/119810/television-for-1000-the-worlds-toughest-game-show-what-is-jeopardy- |archive-date=April 23, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> | |||
}} | |||
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not easily be shown on camera, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=2}} He originally intended requiring grammatically correct phrasing (e.g., only accepting "Who is..." for a person), but after finding that grammatical correction slowed the game down, he decided to accept any correct response that was in question form.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=4}} Griffin discarded his initial title of ''What's the Question?'' when skeptical network executive Ed Vane rejected his original concept of the game, claiming, "It doesn't have enough ]."{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=2}}{{Sfn|Griffin|Bender|2003|p=71}} | |||
* If there is a tie in a tournament episode, a ] question is played, but this has only happened on a few occasions. In case of a three-way loss in a tournament, nobody advances, and an additional wild card is added in the tournament. (A wild card is one of the usually four non-winners with the highest scores in the opening round of a tournament to advance. There has been one triple loss in a tournament, and a fifth wild card was added.) Scores coming to "Double Jeopardy!" break ties for a wildcard position. | |||
The format of giving contestants the answers and requiring the questions had previously been used by the ]-hosted program '']'', which aired from July 1941 until May 1942.{{Sfn|Abelman|1998|p=270}} | |||
==Categories== | |||
For the first two rounds there are always six categories which change for each round and each show; frequently, they contain ]s or other wordplay. The names of the six categories are sometimes related in some way (e.g., titles of ] plays, although only one may actually concern the famous playwright). | |||
==Personnel== | |||
Some categories have special rules pertaining to them. In each case, contestants and viewers are told the specific format required to get the clue correct. For example, if a category has a letter or letters in quotation marks, those letters will appear, in that order, in the correct question. ''"Cat" and Mouse'' would mean that all questions would have the letters C-A-T present. | |||
===Hosts=== | |||
<gallery class="center"> | |||
file: Art Fleming in 1970.png|] hosted all American versions that aired from 1964 to 1979.|alt=A black-and-white head shot of Art Fleming | |||
file:Alex Trebek at the 71st Annual Peabody Awards (cropped).jpg|] hosted the show from 1984 until his death in 2020.|alt=A head shot of Alex Trebek | |||
file:Mike_Richards_(Television_Personality),_Valder_Beebe_Show_(January_2017).jpg|] was the host of the show for one week in 2021.|alt=A head shot of Mike Richards | |||
file:Mayim_Bialik,_March_2018_(4116)_(cropped).jpg|] rotated as host with Ken Jennings from 2021 to 2023. | |||
file:Ken_Jennings_cropped_retouched.jpg|] rotated as host with Mayim Bialik from 2021 to 2023 and has been sole host since 2023. | |||
</gallery> | |||
] was the original host of the show throughout both NBC runs and its brief weekly syndicated run, between 1964 and 1979. ] served as host of the daily syndicated version from its premiere in 1984 until his death in 2020,{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=14}} except when he switched places with ''Wheel of Fortune'' host ] as an ] on April 1, 1997.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/jeopardy-asks-help-wheel-of-fortune-themed-categories-june-2-episode/ | title='Jeopardy!' Hilariously Asks for Help with 'Wheel of Fortune' Themed Categories for June 2 Episode | publisher=Outsider.com | date=June 2, 2021 | access-date=August 7, 2021}}</ref> | |||
Trebek was still serving as host, having taped his last episode on October 29, 2020, for an intended ] broadcast, when contingency plans were made for him to miss the next taping, scheduled for November 9–10, 2020. In a '']'' magazine interview from 2022, then-consulting producer and former contestant ] noted supervising producers Lisa Broffman and Rocky Schmidt had named him interim host for that taping and remembered his last conversation with Trebek days before rehearsal was to commence.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Ivie |first1=Devon |title=Ken Jennings Ascends the Podium |url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/10/interview-ken-jennings-host-jeopardy-mayim-bialik-mike-richards.html |website=New York Magazine - Vulture |date=October 13, 2022 |publisher=Vox Media |access-date=2023-08-18 |ref=Vox}}</ref> In Sony Pictures Television's official ''Jeopardy!'' podcast in 2023, Broffman noted the rehearsal for Jennings was scheduled November 8, 2020, but canceled when Schmidt gave staff the news that Trebek had died that day.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Cohen |first1=Austin |authorlink=Buzzy Cohen |title=Episode Fifteen: So Long, Everybody |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/sites/default/files/2023-08/ThisisJeopardyEp15.pdf |website=Jeopardy.com |publisher=Sony Pictures Television |access-date=2023-08-03 |ref=CohenAug23}}</ref> | |||
Common categories are: | |||
* Rhyme Time - Two consecutive words in the question rhyme with each other ("A chilly swimming basin" - "What is a cool pool?"). | |||
* Name's the Same - The two nouns given share either the first or last word ("Close, Frey" - "Who is Glenn?", where the category is ''First Name's the Same''). | |||
* Potpourri - A variety of topics inside one category. | |||
* Crossword Clues - Using the first letter given in the category, and the number of letters given in the answer, the question is the completion of the clue ("Late-night hunger pangs (8)" - "What are munchies?", where the category is ''Crossword Clues "M"''). | |||
* Before and After - The first and second parts of the question join together via a mutual word ("The time it takes an element to lose 50 percent of its radioactivity in a 1979 Monty Python movie." - "What is Half Life of Brian?") or ("A Nickelodeon cartoon superhero is the title of a Star Wars film" - "What is Danny Phantom Menace?"). | |||
* Stupid Answers - The correct response is contained in the answer. (Example: "Name of the hotel & office complex where the Watergate break-in occurred." - "What is Watergate?") | |||
* Spelling (AKA "The Dreaded Spelling Category") - The correct response must be spelled out. Generally, the answer is given, but not shown on the board ("Get hooked on the spelling of..." is shown, the word "Phonics" is given - "What is P-H-O-N-I-C-S?") | |||
* "Wordplay" categories - In the "wordplay" category, all the answers will contain a specific word. For example, if the category title is "The 'Eyes' Have It", then all the correct questions will feature the word "eye" somewhere in them. (Example: Answer - "This popular fight song talks about the 30 million of these in this, the second most populous state." Question - "What are The Eyes of Texas?") | |||
At the time of Trebek's death, producers publicly declined to discuss any plans to introduce his successor while stating that they had enough new episodes with Trebek as host to run through Christmas Day.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wvnstv.com/news/local-news/jeopardy-host-alex-trebek-dead-at-80-tmz-reports/|title=Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek dead at 80|access-date=November 8, 2020|date=November 8, 2020|work=]}}</ref> On November 9, 2020, the first episode to air after Trebek's death, executive producer ] paid tribute to Trebek, after a few seconds of silence where the lights on the ''Jeopardy!'' set (which had been set up for Jennings to host before Trebek's death) slowly dimmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/11/jeopardy-alex-trebek-special-message-1234611786/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Executive Producer Mike Richards Pays Tribute To Alex Trebek With Speech & Moment Of Silence Before Monday's Episode – Update|work=]|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=November 9, 2020|access-date=August 5, 2021}}</ref> That episode, as well as subsequent episodes that aired after Trebek's death, included a dedication screen at the end of the credits through the remainder of the season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mackie |first1=Johnni |title='Jeopardy!' Honors Alex Trebek With Special Message After the Longtime Host's Death |url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/jeopardy-honors-alex-trebek-in-1st-show-after-his-death/ |website=usmagazine.com |date=November 10, 2020 |access-date=November 12, 2020}}</ref> To compensate for concerns over pre-emptions caused by holiday week specials and sports, SPT postponed the air dates of Trebek's final week; the episodes scheduled for the week of December 21–25 were moved to January 4–8, 2021. Before Trebek's final episodes, reruns of episodes in which he recorded clues on location were shown from December 21, 2020, to January 1, 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/jeopardy-around-world-alex-trebek-2-weeks/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Celebrates Alex Trebek: 2 Weeks of 'Around the World' Episodes Start Monday|first=Margeaux|last=Sippell|work=]|date=December 17, 2020|access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref> | |||
==Other versions== | |||
===1978 revival=== | |||
During the short-lived 1978–79 series, the lowest-scoring contestant was eliminated after the "Jeopardy!" Round, and "Final Jeopardy!" was not played; instead, whoever was ahead at the end of "Double Jeopardy!" became the champion. | |||
Jennings took over hosting when production resumed on November 30, 2020; his six weeks of episodes aired between January 11 and February 19, 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeopardy! Returns to Studio November 30 with Interim Host |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/news-events/jeopardy-returns-studio-nov-30-interim-host |website=Jeopardy.com |publisher=Sony Pictures Television Studios |access-date=November 23, 2020 |ref=InterimHost}}</ref><ref name="interim"/> The season went on to be completed by additional guest hosts, namely the aforementioned Richards; news personalities ], ], ], ], ],<ref name="guest hosts I">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/01/jeopardy-mayim-bialik-bill-whitaker-lineup-guest-hosts-1234673145/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Mayim Bialik & Bill Whitaker Join Aaron Rodgers, Katie Couric To Guest Host Trivia Game|work=]|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=January 13, 2021|access-date=January 13, 2021}}</ref><ref name="guest hosts II">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/jeopardy-guest-host-dr-oz-anderson-cooper-savannah-guthrie-dr-sanjay-gupta-1234898758/|title=Dr. Oz, Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie and Dr. Sanjay Gupta to Guest Host ''Jeopardy!''|work=]|author=Ellise Shafer|date=February 2, 2021|access-date=February 15, 2021}}</ref> ], and ];<ref name="guest hosts III">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/jeopardy-robin-roberts-levar-burton-george-stephanopoulous-guest-host-season-37-1234741136/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Robin Roberts, LeVar Burton & George Stephanopoulos Among Season 37's Final Guest Hosts|work=]|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=April 21, 2021|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> athlete ]; talk show host ]; actress ];<ref name="guest hosts I"/><ref name="guest hosts II"/> former children's show host ]; business journalist ]; and sportscaster ].<ref name="guest hosts III"/> In addition, the 2021 ] was hosted by ], winner of the 2017 tournament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/jeopardy-tournament-of-champions-buzzy-cohen-guest-host-1234734585/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Taps Buzzy Cohen As Host For 2021 Tournament Of Champions|work=]|author=Alexandra Del Rosario|date=April 14, 2021|access-date=April 15, 2021}}</ref> | |||
That contestant then got to play a bonus round called "Super Jeopardy!" (no relation to the special summer 1990 tournament of all-time champions as aired on ]). This round featured a new board of five categories with five clues in each, numbered 1–5 (and unlike the main game, not necessarily increasing in difficulty down the line). The object was for the contestant to provide any five correct responses in a straight line, ] style (horizontally, vertically, or diagonally). Giving an incorrect response earned the player a "strike," and blocked off that space on the board; three strikes ended the round. "Super Jeopardy!" was worth $5,000 to a first-day champion, with the jackpot increasing by $2,500 each day that champion successfully defended his/her title; with the five-day limit in place, that meant a potential total of $50,000 in just "Super Jeopardy!" earnings ($5,000 + $7,500 + $10,000 + $12,500 + $15,000). If a player struck out, he/she still received $100 for each correct response given. | |||
On August 11, 2021, it was announced that Richards would succeed Trebek as host of the daily show and Bialik would host ''Jeopardy!'' primetime specials and spin-offs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/08/jeopardy-mike-richards-mayim-bialik-host-syndicated-spinoffs-1234812840/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Mike Richards To Host Syndicated Show, Mayim Bialik To Host Primetime & Spinoff Series|work=]|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=August 11, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://thefutoncritic.com/news/2021/08/11/sony-pictures-television-names-mayim-bialik-and-mike-richards-as-jeopardy-hosts-750114/20210811spt01/|title=Sony Pictures Television Names Mayim Bialik and Mike Richards as ''Jeopardy!'' Hosts|publisher=]|via=]|date=August 11, 2021|access-date=August 11, 2021}}</ref> On August 20, following a report from '']'' exposing controversial remarks made on his podcast in the past, resurfaced controversies from Richards's time on '']'', and accusations of ] regarding his executive producer position, Richards stepped down as host after taping only one week of episodes. Richards's five episodes as host aired in September 2021.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/20/media/jeopardy-mike-richards-steps-down/index.html|title=Mike Richards has stepped down as the host of ''Jeopardy!''|work=]|author=]|date=August 20, 2021|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/mike-richards-jeopardy-host-out-1234999713/|title=Mike Richards Out as ''Jeopardy!'' Host After Podcast Comments|work=]|author=James Hibberd|date=August 20, 2021|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> Bialik and Jennings then alternated hosting the show through the 2021–2022 season. Bialik also hosted the season's various tournaments and primetime specials.<ref name="BialikJennings 2022">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2021/12/jeopardy-mayim-bialik-ken-jennings-continue-hosts-season-38-1234887182/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Mayim Bialik & Ken Jennings To Continue As Hosts Of Syndicated Game Show Through End Of Season|work=]|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=December 8, 2021|access-date=December 8, 2021}}</ref> | |||
===Celebrity ''Jeopardy!''=== | |||
Every so often (usually once a year), "celebrity weeks" are held in which the contestants are ]. Each celebrity chooses a ] to sponsor, and that charity is the recipient of the particular celebrity's winnings. Typically, the charity is guaranteed a certain amount ($20,000, with the winner's charity receiving $50,000). Also, the rules are usually relaxed for "Final Jeopardy!", where all players will play. | |||
In July 2022, it was announced that Bialik and Jennings would return as co-hosts of the syndicated version. Jennings would host the Tournament of Champions and the new Second Chance Tournament, while Bialik would again host the primetime specials and spinoffs, including a ], which premiered in September 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/07/jeopardy-mayim-bialik-ken-jennings-deals-season-39-hosting-schedule-celebrity-jeopardy-abc-1235079138/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Mayim Bialik & Ken Jennings Close Deals To Return, Season 39 Hosting Schedule Revealed|work=]|author=Nellie Andreeva|date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/mayim-bialik-ken-jennings-jeopardy-1235327403/|title=Mayim Bialik, Ken Jennings to Host Expanded ''Jeopardy'' Franchise|work=]|author=Brian Steinberg|date=July 27, 2022|access-date=July 27, 2022}}</ref> However, in January 2023, ABC announced Jennings would host a '']'' spinoff, indicating a change of arrangement.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ausiello |first=Michael |title=Jeopardy! Masters Spinoff Picked Up at ABC — Which Champs Made the Cut? |url=https://tvline.com/2023/01/11/jeopardy-masters-spinoff-series-abc-date-cast/ |website=TVLine |date=January 11, 2023|access-date=January 11, 2023}}</ref> In May 2023, Bialik opted not to host the final episodes of the season in support of writers during the ], with Jennings stepping in to host the remaining episodes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/05/writers-strike-jeopardy-mayim-bialik-1235359858/|title=''Jeopardy!'': Mayim Bialik Leaves Final Week Of Filming In Solidarity With Writers But Production Continues|work=]|author=Peter White|date=May 11, 2023|access-date=May 24, 2023}}</ref> Bialik formally went ] with her union, ], shortly thereafter.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Herz |first=Jane |date=2023-08-30 |title=Mayim Bialik 'unlikely' to return to 'Jeopardy!' this year: report |url=https://nypost.com/2023/08/30/mayim-bialik-unlikely-to-return-to-jeopardy-this-year-report/ |access-date=2023-09-01 |work=] }}</ref> It was later announced that Jennings would host the second season of the new celebrity edition.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ken Jennings To Host 'Celebrity Jeopardy!' As ABC Sets Premiere Dates For Gameshows, 'Shark Tank' & 'AFV'|url=https://deadline.com/2023/08/ken-jennings-to-host-celebrity-jeopardy-abc-premiere-date-1235524032/|website=]|last=White|first=Peter|date=May 16, 2023|access-date=August 29, 2023}}</ref> In December 2023, after the strike was resolved, Sony announced that Jennings would remain the sole host of the syndicated series permanently, noting that it was still open to having Bialik host the prime time specials.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2023/12/mayim-bialik-exits-jeopardy-1235669885/|title=Mayim Bialik Out As ''Jeopardy!'' Host|work=]|author=Peter White|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/mayim-bialik-leaving-jeopardy-1235841706/|title=Mayim Bialik Won't Return as ''Jeopardy!'' Host|work=]|author=J. Kim Murphy|date=December 15, 2023|access-date=January 2, 2024}}</ref> | |||
Celebrity ''Jeopardy!'' has been spoofed numerous times on a '']'' ], with ] appearing as Trebek, and ] usually playing Trebek's nemesis, ]. The skits poke fun at the ineptitude of the starring celebrities at answering even the extra-easy sorts of questions that appear on the real Celebrity ''Jeopardy!'', along with their ineptitude at answering questions in general. In 2001, ''Jeopardy!'' returned the favor by selecting (including "Therapists (not 'The Rapists')" and "Things You Shouldn't Put in Your Mouth") as Double Jeopardy! categories. Will Ferrell's final episode as an ''SNL'' cast member featured a Celebrity ''Jeopardy!'' sketch in which Trebek himself appeared. | |||
===Announcers=== | |||
Celebrity ''Jeopardy!'' has also been a regular skit on '']''. These bits usually include President ] as a contestant. The answers usually came from current events, and, unlike the ''SNL'' version, the celebrities usually knew what the realistic question is. However, these questions were actually wrong, with the correct question being a joke about another celebrity. | |||
] held the role of announcer on the NBC version and weekly syndicated version,{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=13}} while ] replaced him for ''The All-New Jeopardy!''{{Sfn|Terrace|1985|p=214}} In the daily syndicated version's first pilot, from 1983, ] served as the announcer, but ] took over the role at Trebek's recommendation when that version was picked up as a series.<ref name="NYTGilbert">{{cite news|title=On Alex Trebek's Final 'Jeopardy!,' a Last Introduction From a Friend |work=] |date=January 7, 2021 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/07/arts/television/alex-trebek-jeopardy-johnny-gilbert.html |access-date=January 8, 2021 }}</ref> | |||
===Clue Crew=== | |||
] was known for appearing on Celebrity ''Jeopardy!'' frequently, playing for Cardinal Hayes High School in New York. | |||
The ''Jeopardy!'' Clue Crew, introduced on September 24, 2001, was a team of roving correspondents who appeared in videos, recorded around the world, to narrate some clues.<ref name="Clue Crew">{{cite press release |publisher= King World |title=''Jeopardy!'' Names Clue Crew Members – Team of Roving Correspondents Debuts September 24 |url= http://www.kingworld.com/pr-jeopardy-cluecrew.htm |date=September 24, 2001 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020804055143/http://kingworld.com/pr-jeopardy-cluecrew.htm |archive-date= August 4, 2002 |access-date= March 28, 2007}}</ref> Explaining why the Clue Crew was added, executive producer ] said, "TV is a visual medium, and the more visual we can make our clues, the more we think it will enhance the experience for the viewer."<ref name="Clue Crew Auditions"/> | |||
Following the initial announcement of auditions for the team, over 5,000 people applied for Clue Crew posts.<ref name="Clue Crew Auditions">{{cite news |title=Trebeks in Training ''Jeopardy!'' Auditions Roving Reps |work=]|location=New York |date=June 4, 2001 |last=Petrozzello |first=Donna}}</ref> The original Clue Crew members were Cheryl Farrell, Jimmy McGuire, Sofia Lidskog, and Sarah Whitcomb Foss.<ref name="Clue Crew"/> Lidskog left the Clue Crew in 2004, and Jon Cannon and Kelly Miyahara took over her position in 2005.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Show 4826 (David Madden vs. Catie Camille vs. Willy Jay) |series=Jeopardy! |date=September 12, 2005 |network=Syndicated}}</ref> Farrell recorded clues until October 2008,<ref>{{cite episode |title=Show 5540 (Hannah Lynch vs. Luciano D'Orazio vs. Jim Davis) |series=Jeopardy! |date=October 10, 2008 |network= Syndicated}}</ref> and Cannon until July 2009.<ref>{{cite episode |title=Show 5735 (Kathleen O'Day vs. Peter Wiscombe vs. Alyssa McRae) |series= Jeopardy! |date=July 10, 2009 |network= Syndicated}}</ref> Miyahara, who also served as announcer for the '']'' spin-off series, left in 2019.<ref name="uproxx"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Jeopardy Cast and Crew Bios|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/thecluecrew/aboutthecluecrew/meetthecluecrew/kellymiyahara/|website=Jeopardy! Official Site|publisher=Sony|access-date=May 18, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150517043913/http://www.jeopardy.com/thecluecrew/aboutthecluecrew/meetthecluecrew/kellymiyahara/|archive-date=May 17, 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
===Rock & Roll Jeopardy!=== | |||
: ''Main article: ].'' | |||
The Clue Crew was eliminated beginning with the 39th season in September 2022; Foss became a producer for the show and McGuire a ].<ref name="uproxx">{{cite web|url=https://uproxx.com/tv/jeopardy-clue-crew-gone-season-39/|title=The New ''Jeopardy!'' Season Will Have One Major Missing Feature|work=]|author=Ryan Nagelhout|date=August 9, 2022|access-date=August 10, 2022}}</ref> Foss also serves as in-studio announcer when Johnny Gilbert is unable to attend a taping. In such cases, her voice is replaced with Gilbert's in post-production.{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=14}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Podplesky |first1=Azaria |title=Nine Mile Falls' Staci Huffman to appear on 'Jeopardy!' on Friday |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/dec/06/nine-mile-falls-staci-huffman-to-appear-on-jeopard/ |website=(Spokane, WA) Spokesman-Review |publisher=Spokesman-Review |access-date=January 10, 2020 |ref=Spokane}}</ref> | |||
'''''Rock & Roll Jeopardy''''' was a music-intensive version of ''Jeopardy!'' that aired on ] from 1998 to 2002. Hosted by ] (of '']'' fame), this show used music-based categories. Other than the host being somewhat looser with the "phrase in the form of a question" requirement, the game was basically identical to ''Jeopardy!'' The first two seasons awarded $5,000 to the winner; subsequent seasons were played for a $5000 house minimum. | |||
The Clue Crew traveled to over 300 cities worldwide, spanning all 50 of the United States and 46 other countries. Occasionally, they visited schools to showcase the educational game '']''<ref>{{cite web |title= Meet the "Jeopardy!" Clue Crew |url= https://www.jeopardy.com/about/clue-crew |publisher= Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions |access-date= September 28, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180929080048/https://www.jeopardy.com/about/clue-crew |archive-date= September 29, 2018 |url-status= live }}</ref> | |||
===Jep!=== | |||
: ''Main article: ].'' | |||
===Production staff=== | |||
'''''Jep!''''' was the children's version of ''Jeopardy!'', hosted by cartoon voice artist ]. The show aired in 1998 on ] (now GSN), and up to late 2004 on ]. Contestants were between the ages of 10 and 13. Rules differences from the adult version can be viewed by reading the '']'' article. This show was not well received by fans or critics, and didn't last long. | |||
{{multiple image | |||
| width1 = 165 | |||
| image1 = Merv_Griffin.jpg | |||
| caption1 = ] created the show and was executive producer from 1984 to 2000. | |||
| alt1 = A head shot of Merv Griffin | |||
| width2 = 110 | |||
| image2 = Harry Friedman holding Peabody Award 2012.jpg | |||
| caption2 = ] was executive producer from 1999 to 2020. | |||
| alt2 = A waist-up shot of Harry Friedman holding an award | |||
}} | |||
Robert Rubin served as the producer of the original ''Jeopardy!'' series for most of its run and later became its executive producer.<ref name="Old Credits">Credits from various ''Jeopardy!'' episodes.</ref> Following Rubin's promotion, the line producer was Lynette Williams.<ref name="Old Credits"/> | |||
Starting in 1999, ''Jeopardy!'' began a "Back-to-School Week," which uses easier clues for the 10-to-12 year old contestants but is otherwise identical to the adult version. | |||
Griffin was the daily syndicated version's executive producer until his retirement in 2000.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=239}} Trebek served as producer as well as host until 1987, when he began hosting NBC's '']'' for the next four years.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=239}} At that time, he handed producer duties to George Vosburgh, who had formerly produced ''The All-New Jeopardy!'' In 1997, ], Lisa Finneran (now known as Lisa Broffman), and Rocky Schmidt succeeded Vosburgh as producers of the show. Beginning in 1999, Friedman became executive producer,<ref>{{cite web|title=This is JEOPARDY! – Show Guide – Bios – Harry Friedman|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/about/cast/harry-friedman|publisher=] and Jeopardy Productions|access-date=September 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180929080205/https://www.jeopardy.com/about/cast/harry-friedman|archive-date=September 29, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> and Gary Johnson became the third producer. In 2006, Deb Dittmann and Brett Schneider became producers, while Finneran, Schmidt, and Johnson were promoted to supervising producers. Johnson left the show in 2011, while the other producers remained until Sarah Whitcomb Foss took over all producer duties following the Clue Crew's 2022 disbanding.<ref name="Old Credits"/> | |||
==Changes through the years== | |||
In previous seasons, a contestant who won five days in a row would be retired undefeated, with a guaranteed spot in the next Tournament of Champions. (In the first six seasons, winning contestants kept all winnings, with a cap of $75,000. Anything won above $75,000 went to the champion's favorite charity. The cap was increased to $100,000 starting in season seven after Bob Blake and Frank Spangenberg exceeded the $75,000 cap. In seasons 14-19 the cap was raised to $200,000. Starting in season 20, the cap was eliminated altogether.) | |||
The original ''Jeopardy!'' series was directed at different times by Bob Hultgren, Eleanor Tarshis, and Jeff Goldstein.<ref name="Old Credits"/> Dick Schneider, who directed episodes of ''The All-New Jeopardy!'', returned as director from 1984 to 1992. He was then succeeded by his associate director, ],{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=239}} who served until his retirement in 2018. After McCarthy's departure, he was succeeded by Clay Jacobsen,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/Assets/jeopardy/presskits/new_director.pdf |title=Clay Jacobsen named director of JEOPARDY! |publisher=Sony Pictures Television |date=June 26, 2018 |access-date=August 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180825110320/https://www.jeopardy.com/Assets/jeopardy/presskits/new_director.pdf |archive-date=August 25, 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> who served through 2021 and was later replaced by Russell Norman.<ref name="Production Credits"/> | |||
From Season 14–17, an undefeated champion would also be awarded a choice of ] cars or trucks (], ], or two ]s). From Season 18–19, the winner won a ] X-Type. Similarly, as part of the deal with ] for the 2001–02 season, Ford also added a ] to the Teen Tournament prize package. | |||
As of 2022, ''Jeopardy!'' employs seven full-time writers and seven researchers to create and assemble the categories and clues.{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=8}}{{efn|This number has varied over the years, with writers ranging in number from five to ten and researchers from four to seven.<ref name="Old Credits"/>|lead=yes}} Billy Wisse is the editorial producer and Michele Loud is the editorial supervisor.<ref name="Production Credits">{{cite web|title=Production Credits|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/abouttheshow/productioncredits/|work=Jeopardy! Official Site|access-date=December 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522015628/http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/abouttheshow/productioncredits/|archive-date=May 22, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Previous writing and editorial supervisors have included Jules Minton, Terrence McDonnell, Harry Eisenberg, and Gary Johnson.<ref name="Old Credits"/> Trebek himself also contributed to writing clues and categories.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Carson|first=Emily|date=March 12, 2020|title='Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek did another football category, and it went slightly better this time|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/other-sports/news/jeopardy-host-alex-trebek-football-category/1hr8b519foxoy1e9cxelfwibnx|access-date=August 16, 2021|website=www.sportingnews.com|language=en}}</ref> | |||
To mark the start of the current version's 20th season, in September 2003, the quiz show changed its rules so there is no winnings limit; a contestant keeps coming back as long as that contestant keeps winning (although automobiles were no longer awarded for five wins). This led to the remarkable winning streak of ], who currently holds most of the winning records on the show, including greatest number of appearances and regular season highest total dollar amounts won (excluding tournaments). Jennings held the record for the highest total dollar amount won on ''Jeopardy!'' and any game show ever played, until the Ultimate Tournament of Champions (see below) when he was displaced by ], whose winnings came mostly with special tournaments. | |||
Naomi Slodki is the ] for the program.<ref name="Production Credits"/> Previous art directors have included Henry Lickel, Dennis Roof,{{Sfn|Schwartz|Ryan|Wostbrock|1999}} Bob Rang,<ref name="Old Credits"/> and ] (who also designed sets for other game shows such as '']'', '']'', and ''Wheel of Fortune'').<ref>{{cite news|first=Mike|last=Barnes|title=Ed Flesh, Designer of the Wheel on ''Wheel of Fortune'', Dies at 79|url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ed-flesh-designer-wheel-wheel-213098|work=]|date=July 19, 2011|access-date=August 12, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110723001712/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/ed-flesh-designer-wheel-wheel-213098|archive-date=July 23, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
==Tournaments== | |||
===Tournament of Champions=== | |||
During both the NBC and 1984 syndicated versions, there has been an annual '''Tournament of Champions''' ('''ToC'''), featuring five-time undefeated champions and other biggest winners during the past season. During the Fleming-era, the winner won $25,000 and a trophy. Eleven ToC champions were crowned during the 11-year NBC run. | |||
On August 1, 2019, SPT announced that Friedman would retire as executive producer of both ''Jeopardy!'' and '']'' at the end of the 2019–20 season;<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nexttv.com/news/harry-friedman-ep-of-wheel-of-fortune-and-jeopardy-to-step-down-in-2020|title=Harry Friedman, EP of ''Wheel of Fortune'' and ''Jeopardy!'', to Step Down in 2020|work=]|author=Paige Albiniak|date=August 1, 2019|access-date=August 8, 2021}}</ref> ] replaced Friedman in 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/08/mike-richards-executive-produce-jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-harry-friedman-exit-next-year-1202707378/|title=Mike Richards To Executive Produce ''Jeopardy!'' & ''Wheel Of Fortune'' When Harry Friedman Exits Next Year|work=]|author=Denise Petski|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=October 31, 2019}}</ref> On August 31, 2021, after Richards had resigned as host earlier in the month, SPT fired him from his executive producer position at both ''Jeopardy!'' and ''Wheel'', citing continued internal turmoil that Richards's resignation as host had failed to quell as they had hoped. ] from ], which produces the 2021 revival of the U.S. version of '']''{{efn|The ''Millionaire'' franchise was purchased by SPT with its owners, ], in 2008. However, at the time of the purchase, the U.S. version was distributed by SPT's rival ].|lead=yes}}, became interim executive producer<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mike-richards-fired-executive-producer-jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-1235052887/|title=Mike Richards Fired as Executive Producer of ''Jeopardy!'' and ''Wheel of Fortune''|work=]|author=Michael Schneider|date=August 31, 2021|access-date=August 31, 2021}}</ref> through the 2021–22 season,<ref name="BialikJennings 2022" /> then permanent executive producer on April 14, 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/jeopardy-taps-michael-davies-as-permanent-showrunner-1235130349/|title=''Jeopardy'' Taps Michael Davies as Permanent Showrunner|work=]|author=Lesley Goldberg|date=April 14, 2022|access-date=April 14, 2022}}</ref> | |||
The ToC format during the Trebek era was similar. Fifteen players - all five-time champions (before 2003) and the biggest winners among the other players - are invited to participate; starting in 2003, spots in the ToC are determined by length of the champion's reign (e.g., all 10-day champions, followed by all nine-day winners, etc.), with winnings serving as the tiebreaker. | |||
==Production== | |||
The ToC lasts two weeks (10 shows), in the following manner: | |||
The daily syndicated version of ''Jeopardy!'' is produced by ] (previously known as ], the successor company to original producer ]).<ref name="TVWeek2007">{{cite journal|date=August 19, 2007|journal=TelevisionWeek|title=''Wheel of Fortune,'' ''Jeopardy!'': Merv Griffin's True TV Legacy|url=http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/08/merv_griffin_jeopardy_wheel_of.php|last=Gilbert|first=Tom|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070725204208/http://www.tvweek.com/news/2007/08/merv_griffin_jeopardy_wheel_of.php|archive-date=July 25, 2007}}</ref> The copyright holder is Jeopardy Productions, which, like SPT, operates as a subsidiary of ].<ref>{{cite magazine|title=Company Overview of Jeopardy Productions, Inc|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6699051|magazine=]|access-date=January 27, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306104453/http://www.bloomberg.com/research/stocks/private/snapshot.asp?privcapId=6699051|archive-date=March 6, 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The rights to distribute the program worldwide are owned by ],{{efn|As CBS Television Distribution before 2021|lead=yes}} which absorbed original distributor ] in 2007.<ref>{{cite web|title=Pat, Vanna and Alex Play On!|url=http://www.wheeloffortune.com/news-and-events?news=pat-vanna-and-alex-play-on|publisher=Sony Pictures Television|access-date=July 24, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107112954/https://www.wheeloffortune.com/news-and-events?news=pat-vanna-and-alex-play-on|archive-date=November 7, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The original ''Jeopardy!'' series was taped in Studio 6A at ] at ] in New York City,<ref name="master books">NBC daily broadcast log, Master Books microfilm. ] Motion Picture and Television Reading Room.</ref> and ''The All-New Jeopardy!'' was taped in Studio 3 at NBC's ] at 3000 West Alameda Avenue in ].{{Sfn|Schwartz|Ryan|Wostbrock|1999|pp=112–115}} The Trebek version was initially taped at ] Stage 7, ], on ] in Hollywood,{{Sfn|Schwartz|Ryan|Wostbrock|1999|pp=112–115}} but moved its production facilities to ]' Stage 1 in 1985. In 1994 the ''Jeopardy!'' production facilities moved to ]' Stage 10 on ] in ],{{Sfn|Schwartz|Ryan|Wostbrock|1999|pp=112–115}} where production has remained since. Stage 10 was dedicated in Trebek's honor when episodes for the 38th season began taping in August 2021, with the stage being renamed to "The Alex Trebek Stage", with help from the Trebek family (Alex's wife, Jean, son, Matthew, and daughters, Emily and Nicky).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.goodmorningamerica.com/culture/story/jeopardy-stage-dedicated-alex-trebek-79994716|title=Jeopardy!' stage dedicated to Alex Trebek|last=Iervolino|first=Stephen|work=]|date=September 13, 2021|access-date=September 13, 2021}}</ref> | |||
* '''Shows 1–5''': The quarterfinals, with three new contestants participating each day. The five winners advance to the semi-finals. Four "wild card" spots are available to those with the highest score among non-winners; ties broken by the highest score after "Double Jeopardy!" | |||
Five episodes are taped each day, with two days of taping every other week.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://communityvoices.post-gazette.com/arts-entertainment-living/tuned-in/item/41512-tv-q-a-chicago-fire-hallmark-channel-christmas-movies-jeopardy|title=TV Q&A: 'Chicago Fire,' Hallmark Channel Christmas movies, 'Jeopardy!'|last=Owen|first=Rob|work=]|date=November 15, 2018|access-date=November 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115221911/http://communityvoices.post-gazette.com/arts-entertainment-living/tuned-in/item/41512-tv-q-a-chicago-fire-hallmark-channel-christmas-movies-jeopardy|archive-date=November 15, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> However, taping slowed after Alex Trebek's health issues in 2019 until his last taping day on October 29, 2020. Some weeks had three episodes taped within a single day, while some had two episodes taped within a single day.<ref>{{cite news |last1=DeLetter |first1=Emily |title=Purdue grad was last 'Jeopardy!' contestant under host Alex Trebek, first under Ken Jennings |url=https://www.jconline.com/story/news/2021/01/15/purdue-graduate-last-contestant-jeopardy-host-alex-trebek-ken-jennings/4151418001/ |access-date=March 23, 2023 |work=Lafayette (IN) Journal & Courier |issue=January 15, 2021 |publisher=Lafayette Journal & Courier |date=January 15, 2021 |ref=PurdueChamp}}</ref> | |||
* '''Shows 6–8''': The semifinals. At this point, the game becomes a single-elimination affair, with each winner advancing to the finals. | |||
===Set=== | |||
: At any point in the quarterfinals or semifinals, there is a tie for first place, a tie-breaking clue is played, with the one answering correctly advancing to the next round. | |||
] | |||
Various technological and aesthetic changes have been made to the ''Jeopardy!'' set over the years. The original game board was exposed from behind a curtain and featured clues printed on cardboard pull cards which were revealed as contestants selected them.{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=13}} ''The All-New Jeopardy!''{{-'}}s game board was exposed from behind double-slide panels and featured pull cards with the dollar amount in front and the clue behind it. When the Trebek version premiered in 1984, the game board used individual television monitors for each clue within categories. The original monitors were replaced with larger and sleeker ones in 1991.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=100}} In 2006, these monitors were discarded in favor of a nearly seamless projection video wall,<ref name="officialannouncement"/> which was replaced in 2009 with 36 high-definition flat-panel monitors manufactured by ].<ref name="2009 Set"/> The game board was finally refurbished for season 41 in 2024, replacing the individual monitors board with a singular electronic screen, similar to the upgraded '']'' puzzle board introduced in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cheyenne |first=Angelica |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Jeopardy! overhauls its game board with high-tech updates as show copies Wheel of Fortune's lead |url=https://www.themirror.com/entertainment/jeopardy-overhauls-game-board-high-738419 |website=The Mirror US}}</ref> | |||
From 1985 to 1997, the sets were designed to have a background color of blue for the Jeopardy! round and red for the Double Jeopardy! and Final Jeopardy! rounds. In 1991, the show introduced a brand new set that resembled a grid.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=100}} On the episode aired November 11, 1996, ''Jeopardy!'' introduced the first of several sets designed by Naomi Slodki, who intended the set to resemble "the foyer of a very contemporary library, with wood and sandblasted glass and blue granite".{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=150}} | |||
* '''Shows 9–10''': The two-day finals. The first-day score does not factor into the second day's scoring. The contestant's cumulative total from both days is added together to determine his/her final score. The contestant with the highest cumulative score wins the grand prize ($100,000 from 1985-2001; $250,000 since 2002). All non-winners — including the second- and third-place players in the finals — receive a guaranteed amount based on their finishing position; in addition, the runners-up in the finals receive additional cash equal to their score if it exceeds the guaranteed amount. | |||
In 2002, another new set was introduced,{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=210}} which was given slight modifications when ''Jeopardy!'' and sister show ''Wheel of Fortune'' transitioned to ] in 2006.<ref name="officialannouncement"/> During this time, ]s of the set began to be featured on the official web site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/jeopardy/mini_sites/archive_header/index.html?/tv/shows/jeopardy/mini_sites/jeopardy_set_03/ |title=2003 ''Jeopardy!'' set official web page |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080213025724/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/jeopardy/mini_sites/archive_header/index.html?%2Ftv%2Fshows%2Fjeopardy%2Fmini_sites%2Fjeopardy_set_03%2F |archive-date=February 13, 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The various HD improvements for ''Jeopardy!'' and ''Wheel'' represented a combined investment of approximately $4 million, 5,000 hours of labor, and {{convert|6|mi|km}} of cable.<ref name="officialannouncement">{{cite web|title=Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune go hi def!|date=September 7, 2006|publisher=Sony Pictures Television|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/announcement_20060907HD.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061019012632/http://www.jeopardy.com/announcement_20060907HD.php|archive-date=October 19, 2006|access-date=August 20, 2021}}</ref> Both programs had been shot using HD cameras for several years before beginning to broadcast in HD. On ] broadcasts, episodes continue displaying with an ] of 4:3. | |||
===Other tournaments=== | |||
Two other tournaments are featured each season, and include: | |||
In 2009, ''Jeopardy!'' updated its set once again. The new set debuted with special episodes taped at the 42nd annual ] technology trade show, hosted at the ] in ] (]), ], and became the primary set for ''Jeopardy!'' when the 2009–2010 season began.<ref name="2009 Set">{{cite web |url=http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/virtualsettour/ |title=This is Jeopardy!—Show Guide—Virtual Set Tour |access-date=January 11, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108064427/http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/virtualsettour/ |archive-date=January 8, 2010 }}</ref> | |||
* The '''Teen Tournament''': Featuring high school students. The winner receives $75,000 (plus, at various times through the run, a new car). For many years, the winner also participates in the Tournament of Champions. One of the most notable Teen champions was Eric Newhouse, who advanced to the finals of the 1989 ToC, and participated in the "Million Dollar Masters" and "Ultimate Tournament of Champions" tourneys. The first Teen Tournament aired in 1987. | |||
In 2013, ''Jeopardy!'' introduced another new set.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/07/19/alex_trebek_talks_30_seasons_of_jeopardy.html|title=Alex Trebek Talks 30 Seasons of Jeopardy!|last=Wong|first=Tony|newspaper=]|date=July 19, 2013|access-date=July 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725062220/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/television/2013/07/19/alex_trebek_talks_30_seasons_of_jeopardy.html|archive-date=July 25, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> This set underwent several modifications in 2020, with a wider studio without any studio audience (the last episodes of the 2019–2020 season were also taped without an audience), and new lecterns for contestants and the host. The lecterns are spaced considerably apart to comply with California state regulations imposed when filming resumed after the ].<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeopardy! Season 37 Premieres with All-New Episodes Monday, September 14 |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/sites/default/files/files/press-release/2020-09/09-03-20_J_S37_Premiere_Release_Final.pdf |website=jeopardy.com |publisher=Sony |access-date=September 7, 2020 |ref=J!S37 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200927123619/https://www.jeopardy.com/sites/default/files/files/press-release/2020-09/09-03-20_J_S37_Premiere_Release_Final.pdf |archive-date=September 27, 2020 |url-status=live }}</ref> Although the modified COVID-era set from the previous two seasons was kept, the live studio audience fully returned for season 39, which began airing on September 12, 2022.<ref>{{cite tweet|number=1546620347125944321|title=Welcome back to the Alex Trebek Stage! For the first time in two years, tickets for our studio audience are now available|user=Jeopardy|author=Jeopardy!|date=July 11, 2022|access-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> | |||
* The '''College Championship''': Featuring college students, usually broadcast from college campuses (from 1997–present). Prior to that, the shows were broadcast in the show's main studios in LA. The winner earns $100,000 plus a spot in the Tournament of Champions. The college tournament was also played during the Fleming era, with the first Trebek-era college shows airing in 1989. Tom Cubbage, who was the very first ''Jeopardy!'' college champion that year, won the Tournament of Champions the following season. | |||
===Theme music=== | |||
These tournaments are staged identically to the Tournament of Champions. | |||
Since the debut of ''Jeopardy!'' in 1964, several songs and arrangements have been used as the theme music, most of which were composed by Griffin. The main theme for the original ''Jeopardy!'' series was "Take Ten",<ref>{{Cite web|title=Classic Game Shows: Jeopardy! (Original Series)|url=http://www.tvparty.com/games-jeopardy.html|publisher=tv.party.com|access-date=July 1, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130814051240/http://www.tvparty.com/games-jeopardy.html|archive-date=August 14, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> composed by Griffin's wife Julann.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Barnes|first=Lindsay|title=NEWS: Genesis of ''Jeopardy!'': Who is Julann Griffin?|date=August 16, 2007|publisher=Readthehook.com}}</ref> ''The All-New Jeopardy!'' opened with "January, February, March" and closed with "Frisco Disco", both of which were composed by Griffin himself.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Merv Griffin soundtrack|url=http://ringostrack.com/en/artist/merv-griffin/9291|publisher=ringostrack.com|access-date=June 20, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922134049/http://ringostrack.com/en/artist/merv-griffin/9291|archive-date=September 22, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
The best-known theme song on ''Jeopardy!'' is "Think!", originally composed by Griffin under the title "A Time for Tony", as a lullaby for his son.<ref>Bickelhaupt, Susan (September 5, 1989). "Placing himself in ''Jeopardy!'' tonight", '']'', p. 54.</ref> "Think!" has always been used for the 30-second period in Final Jeopardy! when the contestants write down their responses, and since the syndicated version debuted in 1984, a rendition of that tune has been used as the main theme song.{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=10}} "Think!" has become so popular that it has been used in many different contexts, from sporting events to weddings;{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=17}} "its 30-second countdown has become synonymous with any deadline pressure".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/11/08/arts/television/alex-trebek-dead.html |title=Alex Trebek, Longtime Host of 'Jeopardy!,' Dies at 80 |first= Katharine Q. |last=Seelye |newspaper=The New York Times |date=November 8, 2020 |access-date=November 9, 2020}}</ref> Griffin estimated that the use of "Think!" had earned him royalties of over $70 million throughout his lifetime.<ref>{{cite magazine|author=Richard Natale|title=Hollywood legend Merv Griffin dies: Media mogul known for game shows, talk show|magazine=]|url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/news/hollywood-legend-merv-griffin-dies-1117970093/|date=August 12, 2007|access-date=July 16, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141225002153/http://variety.com/2007/scene/news/hollywood-legend-merv-griffin-dies-1117970093/|archive-date=December 25, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> "Think!" led Griffin to win the ] (BMI) President's Award in 2003,<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233747|title = For Merv Griffin, 14 Seconds Can Last a Lifetime|publisher = bmi.com|date = June 17, 2003|access-date = October 18, 2010|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111007141601/http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/233747|archive-date = October 7, 2011|url-status = live}}</ref> and during GSN's ''2009 Game Show Awards'' special, it was named "Best Game Show Theme Song".<ref>{{Cite AV media |type=TV production | title = Game Show Awards | publisher = GSN |year = 2009}}</ref> In 1997, the main theme (later rearranged in 2001) and Final Jeopardy! "Think!" cue were rearranged by Steve Kaplan, who served as music director until his December 2003 death.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/422033337|title=Pilot Killed in Crash Was TV, Film Composer; Steve Kaplan, who died when his plane crashed into a Claremont home, had written music for 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune.'|last=Morin|first=Monte|date=December 17, 2003|work=]|access-date=May 24, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726004254/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/latimes/doc/422033337.html|archive-date=July 26, 2014|id={{ProQuest|422033337}} |url-status=live}}</ref> Then in 2008, the ''Jeopardy!'' music package was rearranged again, this time by Chris Bell Music & Sound Design.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeopardy!|url=http://www.chrisbellmusicandsounddesign.com/id78.html|work=Chris Bell Music and Sound Design|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110708150055/http://www.chrisbellmusicandsounddesign.com/id78.html|archive-date=July 8, 2011|access-date=January 4, 2012}}</ref> A fully-synthesized version of the main theme, which is based on the 2008 arrangement, was composed by ] and has been used since 2021.<ref>{{Cite episode|series=Jeopardy!|date=September 14, 2021|season=38|number=2}}</ref> | |||
For many years in the Trebek era, the show also had a '''Seniors Tournament''', where contestants 50 or over played. This tournament has been discontinued, largely due to advertisers wanting to pull in younger demographics. | |||
===Audition process=== | |||
==Special All-Time Best Tournaments== | |||
{{Main|Jeopardy! audition process}} | |||
There have been a number of special tournaments featuring the greatest players during the history of ''Jeopardy!'' These are listed below. | |||
For the original ''Jeopardy!'' series, prospective contestants contacted the production office in New York to arrange an appointment and to preliminarily determine eligibility. They were briefed and auditioned together in groups of ten to thirty individuals, participating in both a written test and mock games. Individuals who were successful at the audition were invited to appear on the program within approximately six weeks.{{Sfn|Fleming|1979|pp=14–15}} | |||
Since 1984, prospective contestants begin with a written exam comprising 50 questions.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://better.net/arts-events/movies-tv/jeopardy-heres-actually-happens-behind-scenes/|title=I Was on 'Jeopardy!' Here's What Actually Happens Behind the Scenes|first=Shannan|last=Younger|work=Better|date=August 17, 2018|access-date=April 21, 2021}}</ref> This exam is administered online periodically, as well as being offered at regional contestant search events. Since 1998, a ] recreational vehicle dubbed the "Jeopardy! Brain Bus" travels to conduct regional events throughout the United States and Canada.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=170}} Participants who correctly answer at least 35 out of 50 questions advance in the audition process and are invited to attend in-person group auditions throughout the country. At these auditions, a second written exam is administered, followed by a mock game and interviews. Those who are approved are notified at a later time and invited to appear as contestants.<ref name=OfficialFAQ>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/be-on-j/faqs|title=Jeopardy! – FAQs|website=jeopardy.com|language=en|access-date=January 24, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125073316/https://www.jeopardy.com/be-on-j/faqs|archive-date=January 25, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Super Jeopardy!=== | |||
: ''Main article: ]'' | |||
Contestants are required to travel to the production location (], since 1994), making travel and lodging arrangements at their own expense when doing so. According to Andy Saunders, creator of The Jeopardy! Fan website, "This has been a longstanding ''Jeopardy!'' policy and has generally been presented as an issue of fairness by the show. A 1994 '']'' article quotes then–contestant coordinator Kelley Carpenter as saying, 'Because we have both out-of-towners and locals appearing on the show, if we were to pay for an airfare and a hotel, we would have technically given away money to some contestants coming from the East Coast, which wouldn't be fair to someone who only lives 20 minutes away.'"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/jeopardy-contestant-hotel-lashes-out-travel-hotels-1808963|title='Jeopardy!' Contestant Lashes Out at Show for Not Paying for Travel, Hotels|magazine=]|author=Power, Shannon|language=en-US|url-status=live|date=June 26, 2023|archive-date=June 26, 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230626182939/https://www.newsweek.com/jeopardy-contestant-hotel-lashes-out-travel-hotels-1808963}}</ref> Eligibility is limited to people who have not previously appeared as contestants, and have not been to an in-person audition for at least 18 months.<ref name=OfficialFAQ/> | |||
The first of these "all-time best" tournaments, "Super Jeopardy!" aired in 1990 on ABC. It featured top players during the first six years of the 1984 syndicated run, plus a notable champion from the original Fleming era. The tournament was similar to the Million Dollar Masters and Ultimate Tournament of Champions (see below), although it was on a much smaller scale than that tournament. The "Super Jeopardy!" tournament also featured 4 lecterns as opposed to the standard three, and the games were played for points instead of dollars. Bruce Seymour won the tournament and $250,000. | |||
Many of the contestants who appear on the series, including many Teen Tournament and College Championship contestants, participated in ] competitions during their time in high school. The ] has been described by ] as a ''de facto'' "minor league" for game shows such as ''Jeopardy!''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/jeopardy-quiz-bowl-connection-ken-jennings.html|title=The Jeopardy! Minor Leagues|first=Ken|last=Jennings|author-link=Ken Jennings|work=]|date=April 9, 2019|access-date=April 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190409205432/https://slate.com/culture/2019/04/jeopardy-quiz-bowl-connection-ken-jennings.html|archive-date=April 9, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
===Tenth Anniversary Tournament=== | |||
The Tenth Anniversary Tournament was a short five-day tournament aired in 1993 following the conclusion of the regular Tournament of Champions. $100,000 Tournament winner Tom Nosek got a free pass into the tournament, the other eight spots were chosen randomly. The winner of each of the last five regular season games drew one name from each of eight bowls representing the second through ninth seasons of Jeopardy!. Contestants who had made it to the semi-final round of that year's tournament were put in the bowl. | |||
==Broadcast history== | |||
Three regular semifinal matches were played, with the winners competing in a two-day final. Frank Spangenberg won the tournament with a two-game score of $16,800 plus a $25,000 bonus for a total of $41,800. Tom Nosek finished second with $13,600, and Leslie Frates won the $7,500 third place prize, which exceeded her score of $4,499. | |||
{{Main|Broadcast of Jeopardy!}} | |||
The original ''Jeopardy!'' series premiered on ] on March 30, 1964,{{Sfn|Schwartz|Ryan|Wostbrock|1999|pp=112–115}} and by the end of the 1960s was the second-highest-rated daytime game show, behind only '']''.{{Sfn|Fabe|1979|p=95}} The program was successful until 1974, when ], then NBC's Vice President of Daytime Programming, moved the show out of the noontime slot where it had been located for most of its run, as part of her effort to boost ratings among the 18–34 female demographic.{{Sfn|Griffin|Bender|2003|p=8}} After 2,753 episodes, the original ''Jeopardy!'' series ended on January 3, 1975. To compensate Griffin for its cancellation, NBC purchased ''Wheel of Fortune'', another show that he had created, and premiered it the following Monday.{{Sfn|Griffin|Bender|2003|p=100}} A syndicated edition of ''Jeopardy!'', distributed by ] and featuring many contestants who were previously champions on the original series, aired in primetime from 1974 to 1975.{{Sfn|Brooks|Marsh|2009|p=696}} The NBC daytime series was later revived as ''The All-New Jeopardy!'', which premiered on October 2, 1978,<ref>{{cite news|title='' Jeopardy!'' with Art Fleming (Introduction of Super Jeopardy! Board)|publisher=Paley Center for Media}}</ref> and aired 108 episodes, ending on March 2, 1979.<ref name="Y2PLAY">{{cite news|title=Hosted By Game Show Great Charles Nelson Reilly, "Y2PLAY" To Air on GSN From 4:00 pm Through Midnight on Dec. 31, 1999 |work=]|date=November 22, 1999}}</ref> This revival featured significant rule changes, including progressive elimination of contestants over the course of the main game, and a Super Jeopardy! bonus round (based loosely on ]) instead of Final Jeopardy!{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} | |||
The daily syndicated version debuted on September 10, 1984,{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|pp=12, 15, 33}} and was launched in response to the success of the syndicated version of ''Wheel''{{Sfn|Griffin|Bender|2003|p=106}} and the installation of electronic trivia games in pubs and bars.{{Sfn|Jennings|2006|pp=215, 220}} This version of the program has outlived 300 other game shows and has become the second most popular game show in syndication (behind ''Wheel''), averaging 25 million viewers per week. The most recent renewal, in January 2023, extends it through the 2027–28 season.<ref>{{cite web |last1=White |first1=Peter |title='Wheel Of Fortune' & 'Jeopardy!' Renewed For 5 Years With Big Increase At ABC Stations |url=https://deadline.com/2023/01/wheel-of-fortune-jeopardy-renewed-at-abc-1235216648/ |website=Deadline |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 11, 2023}}</ref> | |||
The semi-final losers were: Roy Holliday, Steve Rogitz, Mark McDermott, Doug Molitor, Robert Slaven and Lionel Goldbart, who each won $5,000. | |||
] | |||
===Teen Reunion Tournament=== | |||
''Jeopardy!'' has spawned versions in many foreign countries throughout the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Israel, and Australia.{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=16}} The American syndicated version of ''Jeopardy!'' is also broadcast throughout the world, with international distribution rights handled by ].<ref name="CBS Press Express">{{Cite web|title=CBS Press Express: Jeopardy!|url=http://www.cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/shows/jeopardy/about|publisher=CBS Television Distribution|access-date=January 15, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120611003356/http://cbspressexpress.com/cbs-television-distribution/shows/jeopardy/about|archive-date=June 11, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In November 1998, players from the 1987, 1988, and 1989 Teen Tournaments (including the champions) were invited to Boston to play in a special Teen Reunion Tournament of former players of the event. Eric Newhouse won the tournament and later found himself at two other special tournaments. | |||
Four spin-off versions of ''Jeopardy!'' have been created. '']'' debuted on ] in 1998{{Sfn|Austen|2005|p=210}} and ran until 2001. The format centered around post-1950s popular music trivia and was hosted by ].{{Sfn|Newcomb|2004|pp=1222–1224}} '']'', which aired on ] during the 1998–1999 season, was a special children's version hosted by ] and featured various rule changes from the original version.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Schwartz|first1=David|last2=Ryan|first2=Steve|last3=Wostbrock|first3=Fred|title=The Encyclopedia of TV Game Shows|url=https://archive.org/details/encyclopediaoftv0000schw|url-access=limited|edition=3|year=1997|publisher=Facts on File, Inc.|isbn=0-8160-3846-5|page=}}</ref> '']'', a sports-themed version hosted by ], premiered in 2014 on the ] digital service and eventually moved to the cable sports network ] in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sony Making a Sports Version of ''Jeopardy!''|url=http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPORTS_JEOPARDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|agency=]|date=April 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502032506/http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_SPORTS_JEOPARDY?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT|archive-date=May 2, 2014|access-date=June 11, 2014}}</ref> In 2024, '']'' premiered as an exclusive show on ]. Hosted by ], it featured three teams of three participating in a single-elimination tournament where the winning team earned a $300,000 grand prize. Categories were geared more toward "pub trivia"-style knowledge. | |||
===Million Dollar Masters=== | |||
In May 2002, to commerate the Trebek version's 4,000th episode, the show returned to its New York roots when fifteen champions played in episodes taped at Radio City Music Hall to play for a $1 million bonus, with a standard tournament format. | |||
In March 2020, taping halted as a result of the ]. Originally, the production team taped episodes without an audience, until production was shut down altogether. In May 2020, Sony announced new episodes would air until June 12, 2020, including the Teachers Tournament.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pennlive.com/entertainment/2020/05/new-episodes-of-jeopardy-will-return-this-month-sony-pictures-announces.html|title=New episodes of 'Jeopardy!' will return this month, Sony Pictures announces|date=May 12, 2020|website=pennlive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2020/05/jeopardy-new-episodes-return-date.html|title=Praise You, Trebek: Jeopardy! Is Returning With New Episodes on May 18|first=Devon|last=Ivie|date=May 12, 2020|website=Vulture}}</ref> In July 2020, ''Jeopardy!'' began rerunning a package of 20 classic episodes, including the first two from the syndicated run.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/jeopardy-air-most-iconic-episodes-171040467.html|title=Jeopardy! Will Re-Air Its Most Iconic Episodes—Including a Very Special Appearance by Martha Stewart|first=Kelly|last=Vaughn|publisher=Yahoo!|date=July 20, 2020|access-date=July 21, 2020}}</ref> | |||
====First round==== | |||
Each of the five winners advance, with four non-winners filling wild-card spots. Results were thus: | |||
Production resumed in August 2020 with new safety measures in place following government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent. New expanded lecterns, designed to allow social distancing during gameplay, are spaced apart from one another.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nemetz|first=Dave|date=July 29, 2020|title=Jeopardy!, Wheel of Fortune to Resume Production With New Precautions|url=https://tvline.com/2020/07/28/jeopardy-back-new-episodes-filming-coronavirus-alex-trebek/|access-date=August 14, 2020|website=TVLine|language=en}}</ref> In seasons 37–38, only essential staff and crew were allowed on stage. Personal protective equipment is provided for everyone behind the scenes and all staff and crew are tested regularly, while contestants are also tested before they step onto the set. Social distancing measures are also enforced off-stage.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://deadline.com/2020/07/wheel-of-fortune-jeopardy-head-back-to-studio-1202997931/|title='Wheel Of Fortune' & 'Jeopardy!' Head Back To The Studio With Redesigned Wheel & Podium|last=White|first=Peter|date=July 28, 2020|work=]}}</ref> ] joined production in an on-air role in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morona|first=Joey|date=November 23, 2020|title='Jeopardy!' returning to production with Ken Jennings as guest host|url=https://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/2020/11/jeopardy-returning-to-production-with-ken-jennings-as-guest-host.html|access-date=August 16, 2021|website=cleveland.com|language=en}}</ref> | |||
* Wednesday, ]: Bob Harris defeated Rachael Schwarz and Frank Spangenberg | |||
* Thursday, ]: Brad Rutter defeated Claudia Perry (WC) and Kathleen Waits | |||
* Friday, ]: Chuck Forrest defeated Leslie Frates (WC) and Eric Newhouse (WC) All three advance to semifinals. | |||
* Monday, ]: Bob Verini defeated Leslie Shannon (WC) and Eddie Timaus | |||
* Tuesday, ]: India Cooper defeated Babu Srinivasan and Robin Carroll | |||
Following Trebek's death, an announcement noted that the pre-taped episodes were to air posthumously until December 25, 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Trolio|first=Jen|date=November 8, 2020|title=Alex Trebek's last episode of Jeopardy will air on Christmas Day|url=https://www.vox.com/21555364/alex-trebek-last-episode-jeopardy-december-25|website=Vox|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=November 9, 2020|title=Alex Trebek's Final 'Jeopardy!' Episode to Air on Christmas Day|url=https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/alex-trebeks-final-jeopardy-episode-to-air-on-christmas-day/|website=Us Weekly|language=en-US}}</ref> Owing to concerns after a late start to tapings caused by the pandemic and the cancellation of November tapings, officials added a two-week lineup of classic episodes to avoid ], ], or local Christmas programming preemptions that moved Trebek's final episode to January 8, 2021. The first episode with an interim host aired January 11, 2021. | |||
====Semifinals==== | |||
* Wednesday, ]: Newhouse defeated Harris and Shannon | |||
* Thursday, ]: Rutter defeated Frates and Cooper | |||
* Friday, ]: Verini defeated Forrest and Perry | |||
=== |
===Archived episodes=== | ||
Only a small number of episodes survive from Fleming's run as host of ''Jeopardy!''. From the original NBC daytime version, archived episodes mostly consist of black-and-white ]s of the original color ]s.{{Sfn|Eisenberg|1993|p=240}} Various episodes from 1967, 1971, 1973, and 1974 are listed among the holdings of the ].<ref name="UCLA Archives">{{cite web|url=http://cinema.library.ucla.edu/vwebv/search?searchArg=jeopardy&searchCode=FTIT&limitTo=none&recCount=50&searchType=1&page.search.search.button=Search|title=UCLA Library Catalog – ''Jeopardy!''|publisher=]|access-date=January 31, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181116024907/https://cinema.library.ucla.edu/vwebv/search?searchArg=jeopardy&searchCode=FTIT&limitTo=none&recCount=50&searchType=1&page.search.search.button=Search|archive-date=November 16, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> The 1964 "test episode", Episode No. 2,000 (from February 21, 1972, in color), and a June 1975 episode of the weekly syndicated edition exist at the ].<ref name="paley center">{{cite web|url=http://www.paleycenter.org/collection/?q=Jeopardy%21&search.x=16&search.y=10|title=''Jeopardy!'' at the Paley Center for Media|date=July 2008|access-date=January 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103212130/http://www.paleycenter.org/collection/?q=Jeopardy%21&search.x=16&search.y=10|archive-date=November 3, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> The test episode, of which only a few limited clips had been released, was released to the public in full on the ''Jeopardy!'' ] account March 30, 2022, and an audiotape containing approximately five minutes (including introductions and Final Jeopardy!) from the first aired episode was also released to the public; both episodes were released to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the show's debut.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/news-events/watch-unaired-pilot-jeopardy-1964|title=Watch the Unaired Pilot of Jeopardy! from 1964|website=J!Buzz | Jeopardy.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/contestants/meet-first-jeopardy-champion |title=Meet the First-Ever Jeopardy! Champion From 1964|website=J!Buzz | Jeopardy.com}}</ref> The 1975 series finale, also in color and containing two short clips from the 1967 "College Scholarship Tournament" and ]'s appearance on an early version of ''Celebrity Jeopardy!'' also exists in its entirety. Incomplete paper records of the NBC-era games exist on ] at the ]. ] holds ''The All-New Jeopardy!''{{-'}}s premiere and finale in broadcast quality, and aired the latter on December 31, 1999, as part of its "Y2Play" marathon.<ref name="Y2PLAY"/> The UCLA Archive holds a copy of a pilot taped for CBS in 1977,<ref name="UCLA Archives"/> and the premiere exists among the Paley Center's holdings.<ref name="paley center"/> | |||
* Monday, ]: Rutter $11,800, Newhouse $0, Verini $6,800 | |||
* Tuesday, ]: Rutter $13,801, Newhouse $25,600, Verini $800 | |||
GSN, which, like ''Jeopardy!,'' is an affiliate of Sony Pictures Television, has rerun episodes since the channel's launch in 1994. Copies of 43 Trebek-hosted syndicated ''Jeopardy!'' episodes aired between 1989 and 2004 have been collected by the UCLA Archive,<ref name="UCLA Archives"/> and the premiere and various other episodes are included in the Paley Center's collection.<ref name="paley center"/> In July 2022, '']'' reported that vintage episodes of the daily syndicated version would air on a dedicated channel on ] (owned by distributor ]) beginning in August.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/2022/08/pluto-tv-streaming-jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-24-7.html|title=You'll Soon Be Able to Get a 24/7 Stream of ''Jeopardy!'' and ''Wheel of Fortune''|work=]|author=Josef Adalian|date=August 1, 2022|access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> The channel, named ''Jeopardy! Hosted by Alex Trebek'', launched on August 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1054501/jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-channels-pluto-tv/|title=Pluto TV Launches ''Jeopardy!'' & ''Wheel of Fortune'' Channels With Classic Episodes|work=]|author=Kelli Boyle|date=August 1, 2022|access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> and ended on July 31, 2024 after a two-year run.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Holmes |first=Martin |date=2024-08-02 |title='Jeopardy!' & 'Wheel of Fortune' Axed From Pluto – Fans Are Fuming |url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1146445/jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-pluto-price-is-right/ |access-date=2024-08-31 |website=TV Insider |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
'''Totals''': Rutter $25,601; Newhouse $25,600; and Verini $7,600. Rutter wins the Million Dollar Masters Touranment and the $1 million grand prize. | |||
==Reception and legacy== | |||
==="Ultimate Tournament of Champions"=== | |||
] | |||
] | |||
''Main Article: ]'' | |||
By 1994, the press called ''Jeopardy!'' "an American icon".<ref name="cgw199405">{{Cite magazine | |||
''Jeopardy!'' announced a new tournament on ], ], called the ], which began airing ], ]. This tournament pitted 144 former ''Jeopardy!'' champions against each other, with two winners moving on to face ] in a 3-game final for a chance at $2 million. | |||
|date=May 1994 | |||
|title=Taking A Peek | |||
|url=http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118 | |||
|magazine=Computer Gaming World | |||
|pages=174–180 | |||
|access-date=November 11, 2017 | |||
|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140703000430/http://www.cgwmuseum.org/galleries/index.php?year=1994&pub=2&id=118 | |||
|archive-date=July 3, 2014 | |||
|url-status=live | |||
}}</ref> It has won a record 44 ]s.<ref>{{cite web|title=Awards|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/about/awards|website=Jeopardy!|access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> The program holds the record for the ], with nineteen awards won in that category.<ref name="Jeopardy! history">{{Cite web|title=This is JEOPARDY! – Show Guide – About the Show – Show History|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/abouttheshow/showhistory/|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions|access-date=December 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130616033014/http://www.jeopardy.com/showguide/abouttheshow/showhistory/|archive-date=June 16, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> Trebek won eight awards for ].<ref name="Jeopardy! history"/> Twelve other awards were won by the show's directors and writers in the categories of Outstanding Direction for a Game/Audience Participation Show and Outstanding Special Class Writing before these categories were removed in 2006. On June 17, 2011, Trebek shared the Lifetime Achievement Award with Sajak at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite web|title=The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Announces the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement to Be Presented to Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek|publisher=]|date=June 26, 2011|url=http://www.wheeloffortune.com/newsandevents/announcements/lifetime_emmy.php|access-date=April 9, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110326101026/http://www.wheeloffortune.com/newsandevents/announcements/lifetime_emmy.php|archive-date=March 26, 2011}}</ref> The following year, the program was honored with a ] for its role in encouraging, celebrating, and rewarding knowledge.<ref>{{cite web|title=Complete List of Recipients of the 71st Annual Peabody Awards|publisher=The Peabody Awards: An International Competition for Electronic Media, honoring achievement in Television, Radio, Cable, and the Web, administered by the University of Georgia's Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication|date=April 4, 2012|url=http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120601004713/http://www.peabody.uga.edu/71stwinners.php|archive-date=June 1, 2012|access-date=April 27, 2012}}</ref> | |||
In its April 17–23, 1993, issue, '']'' named ''Jeopardy!'' the best game show of the 1970s as part of a celebration of the magazine's 40th anniversary.<ref>{{cite book|title=''TV Guide'' April 17–23, 1993|year=1993|page=84}}</ref> In January 2001, the magazine ranked the program number 2 on its "50 Greatest Game Shows" list—second only to '']''.<ref>{{cite news|title=none|newspaper=TV Guide|date=February 2, 2001}}</ref> It later ranked ''Jeopardy!'' number 45 on its list of the 60 Best TV Series of All Time, calling it "habit-forming" and saying that the program "always makes feel smarter".<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Fretts|first1=Bruce|last2=Roush|first2=Matt|title=TV Guide Magazine's 60 Best Series of All Time|work=TV Guide|date=December 23, 2013}}</ref> Also in 2013, the program ranked number 1 on ''TV Guide''{{'}}s list of the 60 Greatest Game Shows.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Fretts|first=Bruce|date=June 17, 2013|title=Eyes on the Prize|work=TV Guide|pages=14 and 15}}</ref> In the summer of 2006, the program was ranked number 2 on GSN's list of the 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time, second only to '']''.<ref>{{Cite AV media|type=TV production|title=The 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time|publisher=GSN|date=August 31, 2006}}</ref> | |||
The final winner was ] ($62,000 for the tournament final). Jennings placed second (with $34,599) and took home $500,000. ] finished third ($20,600), collecting $250,000. | |||
A hall of fame honoring ''Jeopardy!'' was added to the Sony Pictures Studios tour on September 20, 2011. It features the show's Emmy Awards as well as retired set pieces, classic merchandise, video clips, photographs, and other memorabilia related to ''Jeopardy!''{{'}}s history.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Jeopardy!'' Unveils New Hall of Fame Featuring Its Most Historic TV Moments |publisher=Sony Pictures Television |url=http://www.jeopardy.com/news/halloffame.php |access-date=October 8, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121020034748/http://www.jeopardy.com/news/halloffame.php |archive-date=October 20, 2012 }}</ref> | |||
As a result, Rutter is the all-time highest winner of any game show with $3,270,102, with Jennings a close second with $3,022,700. | |||
In 1989, Fleming expressed dissatisfaction with the daily syndicated ''Jeopardy!'' series in an essay published in '']''. He confessed that he only watched the Trebek version infrequently—only for a handful of questions—and criticized this iteration mainly for its Hollywood setting. Fleming believed that in contrast to New Yorkers who Fleming considered being more intelligent and authentic, moving the show to Hollywood brought both an unrealistic glamour and a dumbing-down of the program that he disdained. He also disliked the decision to not award losing contestants their cash earnings (believing the parting gifts offered instead were cheap) and expressed surprise that what he considered a parlor game had transformed into such a national phenomenon under Trebek.<ref name="autogenerated89">{{Cite magazine |title=What is Jeopardy!? |url=https://www.si.com/vault/1989/05/01/119810/television-for-1000-the-worlds-toughest-game-show-what-is-jeopardy- |date=May 1, 1989 |magazine=Sports Illustrated|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170827165803/https://www.si.com/vault/1989/05/01/119810/television-for-1000-the-worlds-toughest-game-show-what-is-jeopardy- |archive-date=August 27, 2017 }}</ref> In television interviews, Fleming expressed similar sentiments while also noting that he approved of Trebek's approach to hosting, that Fleming and Trebek were personal friends and that, despite the modern show's flaws, it was still one of the best television shows.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G6UKm2adEI |title=Perception with Don Johnson, interview with Art Fleming, 1987|website=] |date=April 30, 2015 }}</ref> | |||
==Auditions== | |||
The ''Jeopardy!'' staff regularly offers auditions for potential contestants. Tryouts take place regularly at the Los Angeles ''Jeopardy!'' studio, and occasionally in other locations. In order to try out, one must be at least 18 years of age, unless one is auditioning for one of the "special" programs, such as the Teen Tournament or Kids' Week. | |||
''Jeopardy!''{{'}}s answer-and-question format has become widely entrenched: Fleming observed that other game shows had contestants phrasing their answers in question form, leading hosts to remind them that they are not competing on ''Jeopardy!''{{Sfn|Trebek|Barsocchini|1990|p=188}} | |||
Tryouts for the regular version are given to many people at one time. Before one arrives, one is asked to bring along a filled-out form stating one's name and providing five anecdotes that one could potentially use during the on-air interviews. | |||
==Tournaments and other events== | |||
There are three parts to the auditioning process itself. The first is a pep talk of sorts from the contestant coordinator. The staff tries to make the audition process entertaining. In the second section, fifty ''Jeopardy!''-style clues in fifty different categories are displayed on a big screen at the front of the room and read aloud by Johnny Gilbert, the show's announcer. A potential contestant has eight seconds to write down his or her response (no need to phrase in the form of a question here) before the next clue is read. | |||
{{Main|List of Jeopardy! tournaments and events}} | |||
===Regular events=== | |||
At the end of the fifty questions, the contestant coordinators take the completed answer sheets and grade them. Though some sources<!-- both the This Is Jeopardy book and the PC CD-ROM game state this --> state that a score of 35 is passing, the contestant coordinators refuse to confirm or deny that and the official passing score is kept a secret. Some people who have auditioned speculate that the passing score varies depending on how many contestants are needed for the show. Exact scores are not disclosed, only pass/fail results. Those who did not pass the test are dismissed, and those who did pass the test remain for the third phase of the audition. | |||
Throughout all forms of the show, it has held an annual ] featuring the top champions who have appeared on the show since the last tournament. During Fleming's hosting run, tournament prizes were awarded in the same manner as regular play, with the only bonuses being a trophy or a non-cash prize;<ref name=1969tourney>. ''Fort Lauderdale News'' (October 12, 1969).</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://media.swarthmore.edu/bulletin/?p=1243 | access-date=2014-08-18 |date=December 1967| title=A garbage-can Memory Produces a CHAMPION OF CHAMPIONS|work=Swarthmore College Bulletin}}</ref> when the series returned in 1984, the top prize awarded to the winner was originally valued at $100,000,{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=16}} and increased to $250,000 in 2003.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show 4320 (Brian Weikle vs. Eric Floyd vs. Mark Dawson)|series=Jeopardy!|date=May 16, 2003|network =Syndicated}}</ref> Other regular tournaments include the ], with a $100,000 top prize;<ref name="CBS Press Express"/> the ], in which undergraduate students from American colleges and universities compete for a $100,000 top prize; and the ], where educators compete for a $100,000 top prize.<ref name="6000th Episode">{{cite web|title='Jeopardy!' to Mark 6,000th Episode Milestone During Season 27|publisher=TheFutonCritic.com|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/09/10/jeopardy-to-mark-6000th-episode-milestone-during-season-27-37360/20100910cbs01/|date=September 10, 2010|access-date=February 21, 2011}}</ref> Each tournament runs for ten consecutive episodes in a format devised by Trebek himself, consisting of five quarter-final games, three semi-finals, and a final consisting of two games with the scores totaled.{{Sfn|Eisenberg|1993|p=75}} Winners of the College Championship and Teachers Tournament are invited to participate in the Tournament of Champions. | |||
Non-tournament events held regularly on the show include ], in which celebrities and other notable individuals compete for charitable organizations of their choice,{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=110}} and ], a special competition for school-age children aged 10 through 12.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Jeopardy!'' Hosts Its First-Ever Back to School Week for Kids|url=http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/jeopardy/jeopardy/backtoschool/events_current.html|publisher=]|date=September 6, 1999|access-date=January 7, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071221024833/http://www.sonypictures.com/tv/shows/jeopardy/jeopardy/backtoschool/events_current.html|archive-date=December 21, 2007}}</ref> | |||
At this point the people who passed the written test are given paperwork to fill out, which details eligibility and availability. Then the third part of the audition, a mock ''Jeopardy!'' competition, begins. A game board is presented, and potential contestants are placed in groups of three to play the game. The emphasis is not on scoring points, or even having correct answers; the contestant coordinators know that they possess the knowledge to compete on the show, as they have already passed the test, and are looking for on-the-air-compatible qualities. Having a lot of energy and using a loud, confident voice are considered to be huge advantages. | |||
===Special events=== | |||
After playing a few clues, the contestant coordinators give each potential contestant a few minutes to talk about themselves. The coordinators request that they finish by telling what they would do with any money they won on ''Jeopardy!'' | |||
{{See also|Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time}} | |||
Three ], held in 1996, 1997, and 2001, featured one-week competitions among champions from each of the ] Each of the countries that aired their own version of the show in those years could nominate a contestant. The format was identical to the semi-finals and finals of other ''Jeopardy!'' tournaments.{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=150}}{{Sfn|Harris|2006|p=16}} The top prize was $25,000 in 1996 and 1997, and $50,000 in 2001. The 1997 tournament was recorded in ] on the set of the Swedish version of ''Jeopardy!''―the first time a week of ''Jeopardy!'' episodes was taped in a foreign country―{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=150}} and its first episode was introduced by that version's then-host, ]. | |||
There have been several special tournaments featuring the greatest contestants in ''Jeopardy!'' history. The first was '']'', aired in 1990 on ], where 35 top contestants from the previous seasons of the Trebek version and ] competed for a top prize of $250,000.{{Sfn|Brooks|Marsh|2009|p=696}} This was followed in later years by the ] in 1993;{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=120}} the ] tournament (taking place at ]) in 2002;{{Sfn|Richmond|2004|p=200}} the 15-week ] (featuring 145 former champions competing against each other, followed by a three-game final between two winners and Ken Jennings for $2,000,000) in 2005;{{Sfn|Brooks|Marsh|2009|p=696}} and the 30th-anniversary ] tournament in 2014.<ref>{{Cite news |title=People and places: Let's try '80s champions' for $1M, Alex |url=http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20140131/NEWS/140139722/1064/people-and-places%26template%3DfairfaxTimes |archive-url=https://archive.today/20140131182911/http://www.fairfaxtimes.com/article/20140131/NEWS/140139722/1064/people-and-places&template=fairfaxTimes |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |work=] |date=January 31, 2014 |access-date=January 31, 2014 }}</ref> In 2020, ''Jeopardy!'' returned to ABC primetime for the ] where Jennings, ], and ] competed in four two-game matches for a $1,000,000 prize,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2019/11/18/jeopardy-james-holzhauer-ken-jennings-brad-rutter-duel-abc/4201669002/|title=Exclusive: Three top 'Jeopardy!' champs face off in ABC's Greatest of All Time tournament|last=Levin|first=Gary|website=USA Today|language=en-US|date=November 18, 2019|access-date=November 19, 2019}}</ref> with Jennings as the victor.<ref name="Match4">{{Cite web |url=https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/01/here-are-the-results-from-day-4-of-jeopardy-greatest-of-all-time |title=Here are the results from Day 4 of 'Jeopardy!' Greatest of All Time |last=Curtis |first=Charles |date=January 14, 2020 |website=] |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115023749/https://ftw.usatoday.com/2020/01/here-are-the-results-from-day-4-of-jeopardy-greatest-of-all-time |archive-date=January 15, 2020 |access-date=January 15, 2020}}</ref> | |||
After the end of the tryout, those who passed the test and participated in the mock ''Jeopardy'' game are placed into the "contestant pool" and are eligible to be called to compete for the next year. Those in the contestant pool may be called at any time in that year, although the show has more potential contestants than it needs and many people are not called at all. | |||
The ] aired in February 2011 and featured ]'s ] computer facing off against Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in a two-game match played over three shows.<ref name="Smartest Machine on Earth">{{cite web|title=Smartest Machine on Earth Episode 1|url=http://documentarystorm.com/science-tech/smartest-machine-on-earth/|publisher=DocumentaryStorm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110217030016/http://documentarystorm.com/science-tech/smartest-machine-on-earth/|archive-date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 1, 2012}}</ref> This was the first man-vs.-machine competition in ''Jeopardy!''{{-'}}s history.<ref>{{cite web |title=IBM's "Watson" Computing System to Challenge All Time Greatest Jeopardy! Champions |url=http://www.jeopardy.com/news/watson1x7ap4.php |date=December 14, 2010 |access-date=December 15, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101217005939/http://www.jeopardy.com/news/watson1x7ap4.php|archive-date=December 17, 2010}}</ref> Watson won both the first game and the overall match to win the grand prize of $1 million, which IBM divided between two charities (] and ]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/about_us/viewNewsArticle.do?articleId=148|title=World Community Grid to benefit from Jeopardy! competition|publisher=]|date=February 4, 2011|access-date=February 19, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120114010952/http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/about_us/viewNewsArticle.do?articleId=148|archive-date=January 14, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> Jennings, who won $300,000 for second place, and Rutter, who won the $200,000 third-place prize, both pledged to donate half of their winnings to charity.<ref>{{cite web|last=Griggs|first=Brandon|title=So far, it's elementary for Watson|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/15/jeopardy.watson/index.html?hpt=T2|publisher=]|date=February 15, 2011|access-date=February 15, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121109104734/http://www.cnn.com/2011/TECH/innovation/02/15/jeopardy.watson/index.html?hpt=T2|archive-date=November 9, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> The competition brought the show its highest ratings since the Ultimate Tournament of Champions.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Albiniak|first=Paige|title=IBM's Watson: 'Jeopardy!' Champ, Ratings Winner: Three days of Watson-based episodes drives 'Jeopardy!' to six-year highs|url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tv-ratings/ibms-watson-jeopardy-champ-ratings-winner/63195|magazine=Broadcasting & Cable|date=February 17, 2011|access-date=February 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140601002542/http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/tv-ratings/ibms-watson-jeopardy-champ-ratings-winner/63195|archive-date=June 1, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 2006, a preliminary screening for potential contestants was conducted on the Internet. An online version of the 50-question qualifying exam was administered on March 28-30. Those who scored well enough to 'pass' the test (Jeopardy! does not reveal its scores or scoring process) were invited to participate in regional auditions, where they underwent the same process described above to be added to the contestant pool. | |||
In 2019, The All-Star Games had six teams with three former champions each. Each team member played one of the three rounds in each game played; Rutter, ] and ] won the tournament.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.greensboro.com/go_triad/film_tv/had-he-said-pulp-fiction-a-greensboro-man-and-his/article_aa88b491-53d2-5035-8576-d61152b290f4.html|title=Had he said 'Pulp Fiction,' a Greensboro man and his All-Star team would still be on 'Jeopardy!'|last=Westcott|first=Jay|work=]|date=March 1, 2019|access-date=March 2, 2019}}</ref> | |||
Tryouts for the Kids Weeks are slightly different. One does bring one's anecdotes and information sheet, but one ''first'' plays the mock Jeopardy! game, then takes a thirty question test. One is called or notified by the station on which one views Jeopardy! if one is to appear on the show. Fifteen children ages ten to twelve are chosen for each filming, along with one alternate. | |||
==Record holders== | |||
The mandatory waiting period after taking the contestant exam is one year, after which one may try out again. | |||
''Jeopardy!''{{-'}}s record for the longest winning streak is held by ], who competed on the show from June 2 through November 30, 2004, winning 74 matches before being defeated by Nancy Zerg in his 75th appearance.{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=53}} He amassed $2,522,700 over his 75 episodes, for an average of $33,636 per episode. At the time, he held the record as the ]. His winning streak increased the show's ratings and popularity to the point where it became TV's highest-rated syndicated program<ref>{{Cite press release|title=''Jeopardy!'' Streak Over: Ken Jennings Loses in 75th Game, Takes Home a Record-Setting $2,520,700 |url=http://www.kingworld.com/release/jennings_113004.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928190251/http://www.kingworld.com/release/jennings_113004.html |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |publisher=King World |date=November 30, 2004 |access-date=March 7, 2007}}</ref> and second highest-rated overall program, behind only ].{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=53}} In addition to these winnings on the daily ''Jeopardy!'' series, Jennings returned for a number of ], taking home the following: the second-place prize of $500,000 in the 2005 ], the $300,000-second-place prize in the 2011 ], the $123,600-second-place prize in the 2014 ], a $100,000 prize (one-third of the $300,000-second-place prize to his three-player team) in the 2019 ],<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tvline.com/2019/03/05/jeopardy-all-star-games-winner-team-brad-rutter-wins/ |title=Jeopardy! Crowns a Winning Team in the First-Ever 'All-Star Games' |first=Andy |last=Swift |work=] |date=March 19, 2019 |access-date=April 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417155714/https://tvline.com/2019/03/05/jeopardy-all-star-games-winner-team-brad-rutter-wins/ |archive-date=April 17, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the $1,000,000 first-place prize in the 2020 '']'' tournament. | |||
The record holder for lifetime ''Jeopardy!''-related winnings is ], who has won nearly $5.2 million in cash and prizes across his original five episodes of the regular series and seven subsequent tournaments and events (five of which he won).<ref name="Jeopardy Show History">{{cite web |title='Jeopardy!' Battle of the Decades Tournament winner Brad Rutter wins $1 million grand prize |url=http://zap2it.com/blog-post/jeopardy-battle-of-the-decades-tournament-winner-brad-rutter-wins-1-million-grand-prize/ |publisher=Zap2it |access-date=January 27, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160204062255/http://zap2it.com/blog-post/jeopardy-battle-of-the-decades-tournament-winner-brad-rutter-wins-1-million-grand-prize/ |archive-date=February 4, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> Counting all prizes that Rutter has won, he has achieved a cumulative total of $5,129,036 in winnings, which included: the $55,102 prize over five regular episodes in 2000 (also including the value of two cars won, worth $45,000), the $100,000 first-place prize in the 2001 ],<ref>{{cite news|last=Stauffer|first=Cindy|title=Manheim Twp. man back in 'Jeopardy!' in Million Dollar Masters Tournament|publisher = ]|date=May 1, 2002}}</ref> the $1,000,000 first-place prize in 2002's ], the $2,000,000 first-place prize (plus $115,000 in preliminary rounds) in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions,<ref>{{cite news|title=A: He beat the best. Q: Who is Brad Rutter?|newspaper=]|date=May 27, 2005}}</ref> the $200,000 third-place prize in the IBM Challenge, the $1,030,600 first-place prize in the Battle of the Decades, $333,334 (one-third of the $1,000,000 first-place prize, shared with his three-player team) in the All-Star Games, and a $250,000 prize in the ''Greatest of All Time'' tournament. | |||
==Theme songs== | |||
The theme song, "A Time for Tony," which was composed by ] as a lullaby for his son, has served as the "think music" of the ''Final Jeopardy!'' countdown since the show's inception in 1964 (although it was not used in the 1978–79 version), and is also the melody for the current theme. In the ], it has insinuated itself into everyday communication; the song applies to any situation in which someone is waiting for another to answer a question or make a decision. For example, the theme is often heard at ] stadiums when the manager goes to the pitcher's mound to discuss a replacement, or at football games during instant replay reviews. Another longer variation of "A Time For Tony" was used as a jewelry prize cue on Wheel Of Fortune in the 1980s. | |||
The holder of the all-time record for single-day winnings on ''Jeopardy!'' is ]. Holzhauer first surpassed the record of $77,000, held since 2010<ref>{{cite web |title=JAMES HOLZHAUER BEATS ROGER CRAIG'S 1-DAY RECORD! |url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/streaker-updates/james-holzhauer-beats-roger-craigs-1-day-record |website=jeopardy.com |publisher=2Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. |access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> by ], when he earned $110,914 on the episode that aired on April 9, 2019.<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndicated |date=April 9, 2019 |season=35 |number=7967 |language=en}}</ref> Holzhauer pushed his own single-day record to $131,127 on the episode that aired April 17, 2019,<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndicated |date=April 17, 2019 |season=35 |number=7973 |language=en}}</ref> by amassing $71,114 over the episode's first two rounds, then successfully wagering an additional $60,013 in Final Jeopardy! Holzhauer's total of 32 consecutive games won was second place of all time in regular game play at the time and remains fourth overall after ] and ] surpassed Holzhauer in 2021 and 2022, respectively.<ref name="Jeopardy! HoF">{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/contestant-zone/hall-of-fame|title=Hall of Fame|website=jeopardy.com|access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref> When he departed the show, he held the top 16 spots for highest single-day regular-game winnings and is the only player to win more than $100,000 in a single episode in regular play (achieved six times).<ref>{{Cite episode |series=Jeopardy! |network=Syndication |date=May 27, 2019 |season=35 |number=7991 |language=en}}</ref> On April 15, 2019, Holzhauer moved into second place for regular play winnings (behind Jennings) and third place for all ''Jeopardy!''-related winnings (behind Rutter and Jennings). On April 23, 2019, Holzhauer joined Rutter and Jennings as the third ''Jeopardy!''-made millionaire (Amodio eventually became the fourth). The next day, Holzhauer moved onto the ] at No. 10, joining Rutter (#1) and Jennings (#2) on that list. Holzhauer was defeated on the June 3, 2019, episode, finishing in second place.<ref name="Jacobs">{{cite news |last1=Jacobs |first1=Julia |title=James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' Streak Ends Just Shy of a Record |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/arts/television/james-holzhauer-jeopardy.html |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604175406/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/03/arts/television/james-holzhauer-jeopardy.html |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=live |date=June 3, 2019 }}</ref> His winnings on ''Jeopardy!'' totaled $2,464,216,<ref name="Bauder">{{cite web |title=32 games and $2.4M later, James Holzhauer's 'Jeopardy!' winning streak comes to an end |url=https://kutv.com/news/entertainment/james-holzhauer-ends-jeopardy-streak |publisher=KUTV |date=June 3, 2019 |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604120915/https://kutv.com/news/entertainment/james-holzhauer-ends-jeopardy-streak |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> $58,484 behind Jennings' record.<ref name="Jacobs" /> Including over $58,000 from a 2014 appearance on '']'',<ref name="Starr">{{cite web |last1=Starr |first1=Michael |title='Jeopardy!' isn't James Holzhauer's first game show win: vintage video |url=https://nypost.com/2019/05/01/jeopardy-isnt-james-holzhauers-first-game-show-win-vintage-video/ |website=The New York Post |access-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513092042/https://nypost.com/2019/05/01/jeopardy-isnt-james-holzhauers-first-game-show-win-vintage-video/ |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |url-status=live |date=May 2019 }}</ref> with Holzhauer's $2.96 million from ''Jeopardy!'' (including his Tournament of Champions and The Greatest of All Time prizes), he is #3 on the list of all-time American game show winnings. | |||
A few years after composing the song, Griffin added 2 ] notes at the end so that it would meet the 30-second minimum length required to secure a copyright on the song. | |||
The record-holder among women on ''Jeopardy!'' for regular series winnings is ],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/arts/television/amy-schneider-jeopardy.html|title=Amy Schneider Wins the Most Consecutive ''Jeopardy!'' Games of Any Female Contestant|work=]|author1=Maria Cramer|author2=Jenny Gross|date=December 30, 2021|access-date=December 31, 2021}}</ref> with a total of $1,382,800 earned in 40 episodes between 2021 and 2022.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/26/arts/television/jeopardy-amy-schneider.html|title=Amy Schneider's ''Jeopardy!'' Reign Ends|work=]|author=Julia Jacobs|date=January 26, 2022|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/amy-schneider-jeopardy-streak-ends-40-games-1-4-million-1234920198/|title=Amy Schneider ''Jeopardy!'' Streak Ends After 40 Games And $1.4 Million|work=]|author=Greg Evans|date=January 26, 2022|access-date=January 26, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Jeopardy! HoF" /> Schneider is currently ranked second all-time in consecutive games won, behind only Jennings (74).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://tvline.com/2022/01/24/jeopardy-amy-schneider-second-place-rank-streak/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Champ Amy Schneider Climbs to No. 2 on All-Time Wins List, Behind Reigning MVP Ken Jennings|work=]|author=Michael Ausiello|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 25, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/amy-schneider-jeopardy-winning-streak-1234918569/|title=Amy Schneider Continues ''Jeopardy!'' Victory Streak To Become Second Winningest Contestant Ever|work=]|author=Greg Evans|date=January 24, 2022|access-date=January 25, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Jeopardy! HoF" /> ], whose winning streak earned $560,983 over 23 games in April and May 2022, has been the most successful ] contestant to have competed on the program, ranking fifth for consecutive games won and sixth for regular play ''Jeopardy!'' winnings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/jeopardy-mattea-roach-loses-by-single-dollar-1235018357/|title=''Jeopardy!'' Champion Mattea Roach's Bid For 24th Consecutive Win Comes Down To $1|work=]|author=Bruce Haring|date=May 6, 2022|access-date=May 7, 2022}}</ref><ref name="Jeopardy! HoF" /> | |||
Griffin has estimated the Jeopardy! theme song to have made him somewhere between 70 and 80 million dollars in royalties. | |||
The highest single-day winnings in a ''Celebrity Jeopardy!'' tournament was achieved by comedian ] during a first-round game of the 2009–10 "Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational", in which he finished with $68,000 for his selected charity, the ].<ref>{{Cite episode|title=Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational, Game 1 (Andy Richter vs. Dana Delany vs. Wolf Blitzer)|series=Jeopardy!|network=Syndicated|date=September 17, 2009}}</ref> | |||
The main theme song to the original 1960s version is called "Take 10" and was composed by Merv Griffin's wife, ]. On the finale episode with Art Fleming in 1975, the theme used was "]" originally composed by ]. | |||
Four contestants on the Trebek version share the record for winning a game with the lowest amount possible, at $1. The first was ] Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Scott, on the episode that aired January 19, 1993.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 1932 (Nancy Melucci vs. Darryl Scott vs. Kate Marciniak)|series = Jeopardy!|date=January 19, 1993|network=Syndicated}}</ref><ref name="One Dollar 2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/highlights/$1-winners|title=Jeopardy! Archive: $1 Winners|work=Jeopardy.com|publisher=Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc.|date=October 17, 2017|access-date=October 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171018134040/https://www.jeopardy.com/jbuzz/highlights/$1-winners|archive-date=October 18, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=140}} The second was ], on a ''Celebrity Jeopardy!'' episode that aired April 30, 1997.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 2928 (Joey Gordon-Levitt vs. Kirsten Dunst vs. Benjamin Salisbury)|series = Jeopardy!|date=April 30, 1997|network=Syndicated}}</ref> The third was ], on the ''Celebrity Jeopardy!'' episode that aired February 9, 2001.<ref>{{cite episode|title=Show No. 3790 (Seth Green vs. Brandi Chastain vs. Steven Page)|series = Jeopardy!|date=February 9, 2001|network=Syndicated}}</ref> The fourth was ] Lieutenant Manny Abell, on the episode that aired October 17, 2017.<ref name="One Dollar 2017"/>{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=140}} | |||
The main theme to the 1978–79 revival was called "Frisco Disco" and was composed by Merv Griffin. "Frisco Disco" would resurface in 1983 as a prize cue on '']'', and would continue to be used until 1989. | |||
The record lowest ''Jeopardy!'' score was set in 1985 by Joan Kantor, a contestant from 1985, with a score of -$5,100 (net -$10,200 after the Season 18 rule change regarding clue values on November 26, 2001) during Season 1.<ref name="Mark 2021"/> During the interregnum, in a July 28, 2021 episode hosted by ], Patrick Pierce finished with a total of -$7,400.<ref name="Mark 2021">{{cite news | last=Mark | first=Julian | title=A 'Jeopardy!' contestant was the show's biggest loser. He still says appearing with LeVar Burton was an honor. | newspaper=Washington Post | date=2021-07-29 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/07/29/levar-burton-jeopardy-debut/ | access-date=2023-12-12}}</ref>{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=18}} The lowest score in the Jennings era is -$7,200, set by Erin Buker in 2024,<ref name="v154">{{cite web | last=Wang | first=Jessica | title='Jeopardy' contestant with second-lowest score ever speaks out | website=EW.com | date=2024-06-27 | url=https://ew.com/jeopardy-contestant-erin-buker-responds-second-lowest-score-game-history-8670651 | access-date=2024-07-11}}</ref> and the fourth lowest was -$6,800, set by Stephanie Hull in 2015.<ref name="Westenfeld 2021">{{cite web | last=Westenfeld | first=Adrienne | title=The Worst Jeopardy! Score Was Achieved on LaVar Burton's First Night as Guest Host | website=Esquire | date=2021-07-27 | url=https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/tv/a37143089/worst-jeopardy-score-lavar-burton-guest-host/ | access-date=2023-12-12}}</ref> Hull's episode was also notable for featuring a rare Final Jeopardy with one contestant.<ref name="Kois 2020">{{cite web | last=Kois | first=Dan | title=The Lowest-Scoring Jeopardy! Contestant of All Time on How It All Went Wrong | website=Slate Magazine | date=2020-01-15 | url=https://slate.com/culture/2020/01/jeopardy-goat-worst-score-ever-stephanie-hull-interview.html | access-date=2023-12-12}}</ref>''Jeopardy!'' writer Harry Eisenberg recalled an early season contestant who had persuaded the contestant coordinators to let him on the show despite their misgivings; he won -$3,400, the equivalent of -$6,800 today.<ref>{{harvnb|Eisenberg|1995|p=33}}: "I recall one case in which a man had passed the written test, but Greg concluded his performance against other players was totally inadequate. The would-be contestant called Alex to complain, arguing that inasmuch as he had passed the written test he ought to have a chance to be on the show. He claimed that Greg had exercised poor judgment. Alex, being a merciful sort, let him come on the program. He ended the Double Jeopardy round with a score of minus $3,400."</ref> | |||
When the current incarnation began in 1984, an electronic version of the "think music" melody became the main theme, while the original recording of "think music" was resurrected for the ''Final Jeopardy!'' round. The main theme was remixed in 1991 to include a bongo track. In 1997, both the theme and (much to the chagrin of some fans) the think music were updated, with jazzy orchestral arrangements by ]. The main theme was updated again in 2000 - this arrangement was similar to the previous one, but looser and more upbeat. The theme has gone through some slight reorchestrations since then. The main theme was updated since 2001. Over the commercial break during College Tournament and Teen Tournament, a '']'' theme song was played (and during a few of those tournaments, was used in Final Jeopardy). Alternate versions of the Final Jeopardy! "think music" have been performed by the UCLA marching band and the Yale Whiffenpoofs. | |||
===Record tables=== | |||
==Miscellaneous trivia== | |||
''Jeopardy!'' keeps track of four records: most consecutive games won, highest regular-season winnings, highest single-game winnings, and highest all-time winnings (including tournaments). The below tables are accurate as of July 14, 2024.<ref name="p667">{{cite web | title=Leaderboard of Legends | website=Jeopardy.com | date=2018-12-03 | url=https://www.jeopardy.com/track/leaderboard-of-legends | access-date=2024-07-14 | archive-date=2024-07-14 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714142028/https://www.jeopardy.com/track/leaderboard-of-legends }}</ref> | |||
] holds the record for the longest ''Jeopardy!'' winning streak.]] | |||
{{Col-begin|width=100%}} | |||
{{Col-1-of-4}} | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- | |||
!rowspan=2| | |||
!colspan=3|Consecutive wins | |||
|- | |||
!Contestant | |||
!Games | |||
!Year | |||
|- | |||
!1 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|74 | |||
|2004 | |||
|- | |||
!2 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|40 | |||
|2022 | |||
|- | |||
!3 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|38 | |||
|2021 | |||
|- | |||
!4 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|32 | |||
|2019 | |||
|- | |||
!5 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|23 | |||
|2022 | |||
|- | |||
!6 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|21 | |||
|2022 | |||
|- | |||
!7 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|20 | |||
|2014 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|19 | |||
|2019 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|19 | |||
|2005 | |||
|- | |||
!10 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|16 | |||
|2022 | |||
|} | |||
{{Col-2-of-4}} | |||
*The show's 3,000th episode had the same six categories used from the show's first episode in the first round ("Lakes & Rivers", "Inventions", "Animals", "Foreign Cuisine", "Actors & Roles", and "Number Please"). A category of unrevealed questions from the first episode were featured on Double Jeopardy! (which, ironically, were not all revealed in this episode either). The Final Jeopardy! category was "Holidays", which was also the same category used on their first show. | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
*Kevin Laude, a one-day champion, had to wait more than four years for his win to air. His win was on the "lost episode" of the show which never aired in its rotation. In Season 18, Laude defeated 4-time champion Ramsey Campbell and Nancy Casbeer in a game which did not air because of the September 11, 2001 attacks. The show was finally aired on GSN in June 2005. | |||
|- | |||
* The theoretical maximum win for a single day of ''Jeopardy!'' is $566,400. However, this requires choosing ''all'' of the Daily Doubles last and that they are all placed behind the lowest valued clues, which the odds are 3,288,600 to 1 against (assuming they are randomly placed, which they are not), wagering everything for each Daily Double, and again wagering everything in ''Final Jeopardy!'' Depending on placement and order of the Daily Doubles, a so-called "perfect game" (every question correct, always maximum wager when called to do so) can range from $208,000 to $566,400, with a mean of $374,400. | |||
!rowspan=2| | |||
* The current one-day record is $75,000, set by ] on ], ]. | |||
!colspan=2|Regular-season winnings | |||
|- | |||
!Contestant | |||
!Amount | |||
|- | |||
!1 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$2,520,700 | |||
|- | |||
!2 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$2,462,216 | |||
|- | |||
!3 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$1,518,601 | |||
|- | |||
!4 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$1,382,800 | |||
|- | |||
!5 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$748,286 | |||
|- | |||
!6 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$560,983 | |||
|- | |||
!7 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$532,496 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$430,400 | |||
|- | |||
!9 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$428,100 | |||
|- | |||
!10 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$411,612 | |||
|} | |||
{{Col-3-of-4}} | |||
===The Sets=== | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- | |||
!rowspan=2| | |||
!colspan=3|Single-game winnings | |||
|- | |||
!Contestant | |||
!Amount | |||
!Date | |||
|- | |||
!1 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$131,127 | |||
|2019-04-17 | |||
|- | |||
!2 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$130,022 | |||
|2019-05-27 | |||
|- | |||
!3 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$118,816 | |||
|2019-04-23 | |||
|- | |||
!4 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$110,914 | |||
|2019-04-09 | |||
|- | |||
!5 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$106,181 | |||
|2019-04-16 | |||
|- | |||
!6 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$101,682 | |||
|2019-05-01 | |||
|- | |||
!7 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$96,726 | |||
|2019-04-30 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$90,812 | |||
|2019-04-25 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$90,812 | |||
|2019-04-22 | |||
|- | |||
!10 | |||
|James Holzhauer | |||
|$89,229 | |||
|2019-05-20 | |||
|} | |||
{{Col-4-of-4}} | |||
Here are some of the set changes over the years, starting from season one of the syndicated version in 1984. | |||
{| class="wikitable sortable" | |||
|- | |||
!rowspan=2| | |||
!colspan=3|All-time winnings | |||
|- | |||
!Contestant | |||
!Amount | |||
|- | |||
!1 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$4,938,436 | |||
|- | |||
!2 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$4,370,700 | |||
|- | |||
!3 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$3,612,216 | |||
|- | |||
!4 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$1,682,800 | |||
|- | |||
!5 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$1,668,601 | |||
|- | |||
!6 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$810,983 | |||
|- | |||
!7 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$763,733 | |||
|- | |||
!8 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$748,286 | |||
|- | |||
!9 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$655,930 | |||
|- | |||
!10 | |||
|{{Nowrap|]}} | |||
|$622,801 | |||
|} | |||
{{col-end}} | |||
==Other media== | |||
Season 2 (1985-1986) was a partial overhaul of the original set. The 9-foot Jeopardy! logo was redone in white neon lighting with opaque white plexiglass panels covering the lights, the gameboard was repainted to a gray metallic and the carpet changed from blue to gray. The podiums received a slight facelift and all traces of the color red was removed. The inner red neon band on the to the outer neon bands. The gameboard also began to cycle through a flash routine at the end of the show. | |||
===Portrayals and parodies=== | |||
''Jeopardy!'' has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and books over the years, mostly with one or more characters participating as contestants, or viewing and interacting with the game show from their own homes. During Trebek's lifetime, several television series featured primary characters participating in fictionalized versions of the show, including '']'' (in the episode "]"),{{Sfn|Bjorklund|1997|p=231}} '']'',<ref>{{cite episode |title=Questions and Answers |series=The Golden Girls |network=NBC |air-date=February 1992}}</ref> '']'',<ref>{{Cite episode |title=Mama on Jeopardy! |series=Mama's Family |network=Syndication |date=February 3, 1988 |season=4 |number=23}}</ref> '']'',<ref name="MacFarlane">{{cite video | people=MacFarlane, Seth|year=2005|title=Family Guy season 4 DVD commentary for the episode 'I Take Thee Quagmire'| medium=DVD|publisher=20th Century Fox}}</ref> and '']'',<ref name="bbc-miracle">{{cite web|title=Miracle on Evergreen Terrace|publisher=]|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season9/page10.shtml|date=September 2005|access-date=May 1, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061220170354/http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/simpsons/episodeguide/season9/page10.shtml|archive-date=December 20, 2006|url-status=live}}</ref> among others. Wherever Trebek appeared on those fictionalized versions, he would always play himself or provide his own voice. | |||
From 1996 to 2002, then on special occasions until 2015, '']'' featured ] in which Trebek, portrayed by ], has to deal with the exasperating ineptitude of the show's celebrity guests and the constant taunts of antagonists ] (played by ]) and ] (]).{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=164–165}}<ref name="ign">{{cite web|last1=Collura|first1=Scott|last2=Pirrello|first2=Phil|title=Top 15 Will Ferrell Characters|url=http://stars.ign.com/articles/855/855738p6.html|website=]|date=February 28, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081014232901/http://stars.ign.com/articles/855/855738p6.html|archive-date=October 14, 2008}}</ref> Beginning in 2014, ''SNL'' parodied ''Jeopardy!'' by way of another recurring sketch, '']'',{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=166–167}} in which the host and two of the three contestants are stereotypical black Americans, with the third contestant providing a contrast to the others, and the categories and clues likewise reflect black American culture.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/09/entertainment/black-jeopardy-snl-show/index.html|title='Black Jeopardy' and other shows we wish were real|first=Lisa|last=Respers-France|publisher=CNN|date=April 9, 2018|access-date=April 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180409195427/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/09/entertainment/black-jeopardy-snl-show/index.html|archive-date=April 9, 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Season 3 (1986-1987) | |||
The set received a minor facelift again. The white plexiglass covers on the 9-foot Jeopardy! logo were replaced with ones matching the color of the outer almost-yellow neon band, and the spotlights above the set now had color to them. This set would be the second-longest running set Jeopardy! had, as they used it until the end of the 1990-1991 season. Minor changes were made over the years. In 1988 the category headings changed from a surrounding neon tube to a neon backlight, the spaces between the gameboard monitors was trimmed up a little bit and the carpet on the set floor was slightly more refined. The riser on the stage was also changed from carpet to a blue plexiglass with a neon backlight (which ironically was almost always never used) In 1989 the spotlight on the upper support for the "O" behind Alex's podium was removed. | |||
The 1992 film '']'' features a subplot in which the character Gloria Clemente (]) passes the auditions and competes on the program.{{Sfn|Jennings|2006|pp=16–17}} In the ] short story "]", first published in '']'' and later reprinted in Wallace's collection '']'', a character competes and wins on 700 consecutive ''Jeopardy!'' programs in three years,{{Sfn|Boswell|2003|p=70}} and then uses her winnings to pay for the care of her brother, who has ].<ref>Reprinting of "Little Expressionless Animals" in ''Girl with Curious Hair'', pp. 3–42, published by ], 1996, {{ISBN|978-0-393-31396-3}}.</ref> American musician ] satirized the 1960s incarnation of the show with his 1984 single "]", a parody of ]'s 1983 hit song "]".{{Sfn|McNear|2022|pp=145–146}} Released months before the Trebek version, the song's accompanying ] featured a re-creation of the set of the era, along with cameos from Fleming, Pardo and, at the end of the video, Kihn himself.<ref>{{cite web|title="Weird Al" Yankovic: The Ultimate Video Collection|url=http://movie.guygordon.com/index.php?action=show&mediaid=828765372794|publisher=GuyGordon.com|access-date=June 7, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130922135514/http://movie.guygordon.com/index.php?action=show&mediaid=828765372794|archive-date=September 22, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
In 1990, for the 16-week Super Jeopardy! tournament to air on ABC, the set received an additional fourth contestant podium for the quarterfinals, and the floor changed from gray carpet to a shiny black linoleum tile. Additionally, the gray metallic on the gameboard and the podiums was changed to a bronze like texture, and for Super Jeopardy! only, the red neon lights for the category headings made a return. | |||
{{Anchor|Hacker Jeopardy}}At the ] hacker conference in ], a variant called '] Jeopardy' has been organized.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hautala |first=Laura |title=Hacker Jeopardy: When manhood is the question at Defcon |url=https://www.cnet.com/culture/defcon-hacker-jeopardy-what-do-dicks-dildos-women-stripping-have-to-do-with-cybersecurity/ |access-date=July 4, 2022 |website=CNET |language=en}}</ref> In 2004, it was won by ].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Schell |first=Bernadette H. |url=https://www.worldcat.org/oclc/67840235 |title=Webster's new world hacker dictionary |date=2006 |publisher=Wiley Pub |others=Clemens Martin |isbn=0-470-04752-6 |location=Indianapolis, IN |oclc=67840235}}</ref> | |||
Season 7 (1991-1992) | |||
Jeopardy! rolls out a brand new set and a revised version of the original theme from 1984. The set consisted of a revised 9-foot Jeopardy! logo (with changes being made to the "R", the "Y", and the "!", and the color changed back to white). In addition, the 2-tone blue and white band making up the border of the set was overhauled and replaced by a solid light blue neon band. The upper band was a 1-piece design while the lower piece consisted of elements from the previous set and elements of the new set. A 6-foot gap separated the edges of the upper and lower bands at the left and right sides, and a shiny metal grid was the main feature behind the contestants. The podiums also received a new look, incorporating the new shiny grid and a perennial white backlight. The gameboard was also substantially revised. Instead of a 3-inch border surrounding 30 19" TV monitors, the new gameboard consisted of 30 25" TV screens incased in a half-inch frame. The end result resulted in a near-seamless video wall that was inspired by both Disney's short-lived 1990 "The Challengers" game show hosted by Dick Clark, and also TNT's NBA basketball studio show. Additionally, the posterboard category headings were also changed to the use of TV monitors. The Jeopardy! logo on the set also was changed to a cycle between flashing red-to-white and flashing blue-to-white during the Jeopardy! and Double Jeopardy! round respectively. The "Entrance Arch" was replaced by a wall of the "metal grid" material and contestants from then on until 2002 walked onto the set. The floor now adopted the shiny black look from "Super Jeopardy!" | |||
===Merchandise=== | |||
This set lasted until the 13th season in 1997, and was the longest-tenured set on the Trebek version. | |||
{{Main|1=Jeopardy! (franchise)|l1=''Jeopardy!'' (franchise)}} | |||
Over the years, the ''Jeopardy!'' brand has been licensed for various products. From 1964 through 1976, with one release in 1982, ] issued annual board games based on the original Fleming version. The Trebek version has been adapted into board games released by ], ], and ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2766/jeopardy|title=''Jeopardy!'' board games|work=Board Game Geek|access-date=June 11, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520222833/http://www.boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/2766/jeopardy|archive-date=May 20, 2012|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition, ''Jeopardy!'' has been adapted into a number of video games released on various consoles and handhelds spanning multiple ], starting with a ] game released in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|title=The Best Educational Video Games of All Time|url=http://certificationmap.com/the-top-seven-educational-video-games-of-all-time/|publisher=Certification Map|date=July 28, 2009|access-date=May 21, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430195055/http://certificationmap.com/the-top-seven-educational-video-games-of-all-time/|archive-date=April 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> The show has also been adapted for ]s (starting in 1987 with ], ], and ] versions<ref>{{cite web |title=Jeopardy! – PC – IGN |url=http://www.ign.com/games/jeopardy-1987/pc-765468 |website=] |access-date=September 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160921131001/http://www.ign.com/games/jeopardy-1987/pc-765468 |archive-date=September 21, 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref>), Facebook,<ref>{{cite web|title="Jeopardy!" Facebook Game Now Available from GSN Digital and Sony Pictures Consumer Products Inc.|url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2011/04/25/jeopardy-facebook-game-now-available-from-gsn-digital-and-sony-pictures-consumer-products-inc-804013/20110425sony01/|website=The Futon Critic|date=April 25, 2011}}</ref> Twitter, ], and the ] Channel Store.<ref>{{cite web|title=This is JEOPARDY! – Games & Mobile|url=http://www.jeopardy.com/gamesandmobile/allgames/|publisher=Sony Pictures Digital and Jeopardy Productions|access-date=March 19, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130320021607/http://www.jeopardy.com/gamesandmobile/allgames/|archive-date=March 20, 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> | |||
A DVD titled ''Jeopardy!: An Inside Look at America's Favorite Quiz Show'', released by ] on November 8, 2005, features five curated episodes of the Trebek version (the 1984 premiere, Jennings' final game, and the three-game finals of the Ultimate Tournament of Champions)<ref>{{cite web|title=Synopsis of ''Jeopardy!: An Inside Look at America's Favorite Quiz Show'' |publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |year=2005 |url=http://sonypictures.com/homevideo/jeopardy-aninsidelookatamericasfavoritequizshow!/title-navigation-2.html |access-date=December 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017063819/http://sonypictures.com/homevideo/jeopardy-aninsidelookatamericasfavoritequizshow%21/title-navigation-2.html |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and three featurettes discussing the show's history and question selection process.<ref>{{cite web|title=Special Features Listing for ''Jeopardy!: An Inside Look at America's Favorite Quiz Show'' |publisher=Sony Pictures Home Entertainment |year=2005 |url=http://sonypictures.com/homevideo/jeopardy-aninsidelookatamericasfavoritequizshow!/title-navigation-5.html |access-date=December 10, 2006 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017063819/http://sonypictures.com/homevideo/jeopardy-aninsidelookatamericasfavoritequizshow%21/title-navigation-5.html |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Other products featuring the ''Jeopardy!'' brand include a collectible watch, a series of daily desktop calendars, and various slot machine games for casinos and the Internet. | |||
Season 13 (1996-1997) | |||
Two months after the start of the 13th season, Jeopardy! once again overhauled their set. Every feature was overhauled. The main feature was a new 9-foot Jeopardy! logo etched in glass with the "P" and "A" being sliding doors for Alex's new entrance walk. The backdrop behind the contestants and for the remainder of the set consisted of dark gray granite columns and huge wood panels with small etched glass "windows." The set floor was also changed to a more angular shape and the color scheme on the floor consisted of a mix of granite tile, tan tile and gloss black. The contestant podiums were overhauled to a more wood-like appearance and Alex's podium received a similar treatment. Alex's podium also had a light blue neon backlight and a marble globe in front of it. Additionally, 2 large television displays were added to the left and right hand sides (usually seen off-screen) of the set, and the audience now became a part of the set, receiving the same background as the set itself. A few weeks after revealing this set, Jeopardy! rolled out a brand-new rendition of the famous theme music and a retooling of the Final Jeopardy! "Think Theme." All of these changes nearly alienated longtime loyal viewers of the show, while the set was nicknamed by some the "sushi bar" studio. | |||
On July 22, 2024, Jean Trebek and Ken Jennings officially unveiled an Alex Trebek stamp based on the show, officially licensed by the program.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2024/06/25/alex-trebek-forever-stamp/74203326007/|title=Who is... Alex Trebek? Former 'Jeopardy!' host to be honored with USPS Forever stamp|work=USA Today|last=DeLetter|first=Emily|date=June 25, 2024|access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/1144949/jeopardy-alex-trebek-stamps-wife-jean-ken-jennings/|title=Alex Trebek's Wife Jean & Ken Jennings Open Up as Late 'Jeopardy!' Host Is Honored with Postage Stamp|work=TV Insider|last=Holmes|first=Martin|date=July 23, 2024|access-date=October 22, 2024}}</ref> | |||
This set would last with virtually no change until the 19th season in 2003. | |||
===Internet=== | |||
Season 19 (2003-2004) | |||
''Jeopardy!''{{'}}s official website, active as early as 1998,<ref>{{cite web|title=Earliest known archive of Jeopardy.com|url=http://jeopardy.com/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19980514235738/http://jeopardy.com/|archive-date=May 14, 1998|access-date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> receives over 400,000 monthly visitors.{{Sfn|Young|2013|p=xvi}} The website features videos, photographs, and other information related to each week's contestants, as well as mini-sites promoting remote tapings and special tournaments. The ''Jeopardy!'' website is regularly updated to align with producers' priorities for the show.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeopardy!|url=http://www.sonypicturesinteractive.com/jeopardy.php|publisher=Sony Pictures Interactive|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140108180043/http://www.sonypicturesinteractive.com/jeopardy.php|archive-date=January 8, 2014}}</ref> In its 2012 "Readers Choice Awards", ] praised the official ''Jeopardy!'' website for featuring "everything need to know about the show, as well as some fun interactive elements", and for having a humorous ].<ref>{{cite web|title=2012 Readers' Choice Awards Game Show Winners|last=Grosvenor|first=Carrie|url=http://gameshows.about.com/od/readerschoice/tp/2012-Readers-Choice-Awards-Game-Show-Winners.htm|publisher=About.com|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202185014/http://gameshows.about.com/od/readerschoice/tp/2012-Readers-Choice-Awards-Game-Show-Winners.htm|archive-date=February 2, 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> | |||
Three months after the start of the 19th season, Jeopardy! would again overhaul their set, to the set they currently use now. | |||
In November 2009, ''Jeopardy!'' launched a viewer loyalty program called the "Jeopardy! Premier Club", which allowed home viewers to identify Final Jeopardy! categories from episodes for a chance to earn points, and play a weekly ''Jeopardy!'' game featuring categories and clues from the previous week's episodes. Every three months, contestants were selected randomly to advance to one of three quarterly online tournaments; after these tournaments were played, the three highest-scoring contestants would play one final online tournament for the chance to win $5,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to attend a taping of ''Jeopardy!''<ref>{{cite news|title=The New Jeopardy! Premier Club|last=Grosvenor|first=Carrie|url=http://gameshows.about.com/b/2009/11/01/new-jeopardy-premier-club.htm|publisher=About.com|date=November 1, 2009|access-date=January 28, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202184012/http://gameshows.about.com/b/2009/11/01/new-jeopardy-premier-club.htm|archive-date=February 2, 2014}}</ref> The Premier Club was discontinued by July 2011.<ref>{{cite web|title=Jeopardy – Sony Rewards|url=http://www.sonyrewards.com/en/clubs/jeopardy/|publisher=]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716111517/http://www.sonyrewards.com/en/clubs/jeopardy/|archive-date=July 16, 2011|access-date=January 28, 2014}}</ref> | |||
==International adaptations== | |||
] | |||
There are (or have been) versions of ''Jeopardy!'' outside of the United States, including a UK version hosted by Paul Ross (with Derek Hobson, Chris Donat and Steve Jones before him), an Australian version with ''Sale of the Century'' legend Tony Barber, versions from ] (from 1991) with ] (1991-2005), later ] (2006-), ] (French ]) with Réal Giguère (aired on ] from 1991 to 1993), ] with Hans-Jürgen Bäumler (as ''Riskant!'' on ], 1990-1992), Frank Elstner (as ''Jeopardy!'' on ], 1994-1998), Gerriet Danz (on tm3, 2000-2001), ], from 1994, called Svoya Igra, with Pyotr Kuleshov, plus a version from ] with Søren Kaster (from 1995), Lasse Rimmer (from 2000), to Lars Daneskov (from 2003), version in ] with Ronny Yovel, and ] whit Mart Mardisalu (as ''Kuldvillak'' on tv3, (start and end date unknow)). Israel's version is the most recent version of the A&Q show around the globe, starting in 1997. | |||
== See also == | |||
In addition, the American version of the show is distributed internationally and airs across the world. | |||
* ] | |||
* ] | |||
== |
== Notes == | ||
{{Notelist}} | |||
] | |||
] | |||
== |
==References== | ||
'''Citations''' | |||
] has aired 1 episode from the 1964–75 Fleming version, the 2000th episode. A clip from an earlier 1960s episode aired in 2004 during an ] News '']'' special on ''Jeopardy!'' on the night Ken Jennings lost. In addition, an ordinary 1974 episode and the 1975 finale exist among private collectors. It is believed that is all that is left of the run, as the tapes were destroyed by ]. The status of the 1978 version is unknown, although GSN aired this version's last episode on ], ], as part of a marathon of game show finales. The first episode and the second episode also exist in collections. | |||
{{Reflist}} | |||
'''Bibliography''' | |||
The Trebek version is completely intact. GSN—which like ''Jeopardy!'' is an affiliate of Sony Pictures Television—has rerun approximately 8 seasons to date, although they continuously aired the 1997–98 season (14th season) from June, 2001 until ], ]. Since then, GSN has been rerunning episodes from the 2001–02 season (18th season), including a series of unaired 2001 episodes which did not air because of the ]. | |||
{{Refbegin}} | |||
* {{cite book|last=Abelman|first=Robert|title=Reaching a Critical Mass: A Critical Analysis of Television Entertainment|year=1998|publisher=L. Erlbaum Associates|isbn=978-0-8058-2199-4|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/isbn_9781622492886}} | |||
==Cast and crew== | |||
* {{cite book|last=Austen|first=Jake|title=TV A-Go-Go: Rock on TV, from ''American Bandstand'' to ''American Idol''|publisher=Chicago Review Press|year=2005|isbn=978-1-56976-241-7}} | |||
* Host: ] | |||
* {{cite book|last=Bjorklund|first=Dennis A.|title=Toasting Cheers: An Episode Guide to the 1982–1993 Comedy Series with Cast Biographies and Character Profiles|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ZZxkAAAAMAAJ |publisher=Praetorian Publishing|year=1997|isbn=978-0-89950-962-4}} | |||
* Executive Producer: Harry Friedman | |||
* {{cite book|last=Boswell|first=Marshall|title=Understanding David Foster Wallace|publisher=]|year=2003|isbn=978-1-57003-517-3}} | |||
* Senior Producers: Lisa Finneran, Rocky Schmidt, Gary Johnson | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Brooks|first1=Tim|last2=Marsh|first2=Earle|title=The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–present|publisher=]|year=2009|isbn=978-0-307-48320-1}} | |||
* Producers: ] (1984-1987), ] (1987-1997) | |||
* {{cite book|last=Dutta|first=Prajit K.|title=Strategies and Games: Theory and Practice|year=1999|publisher=MIT Press|isbn=978-0-262-04169-0|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=m1apPLqiIEkC&q=jeopardy+%22game+theory%22&pg=PR29}} | |||
* Directed By: ] | |||
* {{cite book|last=Eisenberg|first=Harry|edition=first|title=Inside "Jeopardy!": What Really Goes On at TV's Top Quiz Show|publisher=Northwest Publishing|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|isbn=978-1-56901-177-5|year=1993}} | |||
* Head Writer: ] (1984-1988) | |||
* {{cite book|last=Eisenberg|first=Harry|edition=first|title=Jeopardy!: A Revealing Look Inside TV's Top Quiz Show|publisher=Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc.|location=Hollywood, Florida|isbn=978-0-81190-806-1|year=1995}} | |||
* Writers: Kathy Easterling, Steve D. Tamerius, Debbie Griffin, Gary Johnson, Michele Loud, Jim Rhine, Mark Gaberman, Andrew Shepard Price, John Duarte, ] (1988-1990), ] (1985-1990) | |||
* {{cite book|last=Fabe|first=Maxene|title=TV Game Shows|publisher=]|location=Garden City, New York|year=1979|isbn=978-0-385-13052-3}} | |||
* Editoral Supervisor: Billy Wisse | |||
* {{cite book|last=Fleming|first=Art|title=Art Fleming's TV Game Show Fact Book|publisher=Osmond Publishing Company|location=Salt Lake City, Utah|year=1979|isbn=978-0-89888-005-2|url=https://archive.org/details/artflemingstvgam00artf}} | |||
* Announcer: Johnny Gilbert | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Griffin|first1=Merv|last2=Bender|first2=David|title=Merv: Making the Good Life Last|url=https://archive.org/details/mervmakinggoodli00grif|url-access=registration|year=2003|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-7434-5696-8}} | |||
* Clue Crew: Jon Cannon (2005-present), Cheryl Farrell (2001-present), Jimmy McGuire (2001-present), Kelly Miyahara (2005-present), Sarah Whitcomb (2001-present) | |||
* {{cite book|last=Harris|first=Bob|title=Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!|publisher=] Digital|isbn=978-0-307-33956-0|year=2006|url=https://archive.org/details/prisoneroftrebek00bobh}} | |||
* Associate Directors: Joel D. Charap, L. David Irete, John M. Prichett | |||
* {{cite book|last=Jennings|first=Ken|title=Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs|publisher=Random House Digital|isbn=978-1-4000-6445-8|year=2006|url=https://archive.org/details/brainiac00kenj}} | |||
* Stage Managers: John Lauderdale, ] (1984-1986) | |||
* {{Cite book |last=McNear |first=Claire |year=2022 |title=Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy! |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HL1WzgEACAAJ |location=New York |publisher=Twelve |isbn=9781538702307 |oclc=1274200873}} | |||
* Senior Technical Supervisor: Bob Sofia | |||
* {{cite book|last=Mogel|first=Leonard|title=This Business of Broadcasting: A Practical Guide to Jobs & Job Opportunities in the Broadcasting Industry|publisher=Leonard Mogel|isbn=978-0-8230-7730-4|year=2004|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/thisbusinessofbr0000moge}} | |||
* Senior Production Supervisor: Randy Berke | |||
* {{cite book|last=Newcomb|first=Horace|title=Encyclopedia of Television|edition=2nd|publisher=]|year=2004|pages=1222–1224|isbn=978-1-57958-411-5}} | |||
* Segment Producer: Deb Dittman | |||
* {{cite book|last=Richmond|first=Ray|title=This is Jeopardy!: Celebrating America's Favorite Quiz Show|publisher=] Books|isbn=978-0-7607-5374-3|year=2004|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/thisisjeopardyce0000rich}} | |||
* Associate Segment Producer: Stewart Hoke | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Schwartz|first1=David|last2=Ryan|first2=Steve|last3=Wostbrock|first3=Fred|title=The Encyclopedia of TV Game $hows|edition=3rd|publisher=Checkmark Books|isbn=978-0-8160-3846-6|year=1999}} | |||
* Stage Operations Supervisor: June Curtis-Nogosek | |||
* {{cite book|last=Terrace|first=Vincent|title=The Encyclopedia of Television: Series, Pilots, and Specials 1974–1984|publisher=VNR AG|year=1985|isbn=978-0-918432-61-2}} | |||
* Senior Researcher: Suzanne Stone | |||
* {{cite book|last=Terrace|first=Vincent|title=Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010|publisher=]|year=2011|isbn=978-0-7864-8641-0}} | |||
* Researchers: Lorrianne P. Axeman (2000-), Sarah Beach, Matt Caruso, Ryan Haas, Michael Harris, Eric Johnson, Robert McClenaghan, Matthew Sherman | |||
* {{cite book|last1=Trebek|first1=Alex|last2=Barsocchini|first2=Peter|title=The Jeopardy! Book: The Answers, the Questions, the Facts, and the Stories of the Greatest Game Show in History|publisher=]|isbn=978-0-06-096511-2|year=1990|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/jeopardybookansw00treb}} | |||
* Material Coordinator: Suzanne Jack | |||
* {{cite book|last=Young|first=Shaun P.|title=Jeopardy! and Philosophy: What is Knowledge in the Form of a Question?|series=Popular Culture and philosophy|volume=72|publisher=Open Court Publishing|year=2013|isbn=978-0-8126-9804-6}} | |||
* Production Designer: Naomi Slodki | |||
{{Refend}} | |||
* Art Director: ] (1985-1991) | |||
* Contestant Executive: Maggie Speak | |||
* Senior Contestant Coordinator: Glenn Kagan | |||
* Segment Production Supervisor: Renee Rial-Reynolds | |||
* Director Clip Clearance: Shelley Ballance | |||
* Executive Directors of Promotions: Rebecca L. Erbstein, Lisa Dee, Suzy Rosenberg | |||
* Senior Unit Publicist: Jeff Ritter | |||
* Promotions Managers: Grant Loud, Sarah Wallace,Karen Palumbo | |||
* Field Producer:Brett Schneider | |||
* Post Production Manager: Kelli Cardona | |||
* Production Coordinator: Nakeshia Carroll | |||
* Promotions Coordinator: Kevin DeLarios | |||
* Senior Marketing Manager: Annettte Dimatos-Schwartz | |||
* Director, Special Projects: Annie Crowe | |||
* Contestant Coordinators: Tony Pandolfo, Robert James | |||
* Assistant Contestant Coordinator: Corina Nusu | |||
* Senior Production Accountant: Kellie Foster | |||
* Production Accountant: Christina Gabaig | |||
* Office Manager: Luci Sweron | |||
* Special Projects Coordinators: Bob Ettinger, Dan Kozlowski | |||
* Music Supervisor: Sean Sasahara | |||
* Clip Clearance & Licensing Coordinator: Shannon White-Lee | |||
* Clearance Coordinator: Jennifer Haugland | |||
* Clearance Assistant: Stacy Oki-Skredsvig | |||
* Segment Coordinator: Chole Corwin | |||
* Publicity Coordinator: Sara Kaplan | |||
* Assistant to the Executive Producer: Yvette Sapanza | |||
* Assistant Production Accountant: Reda Smith-Watson | |||
* Travel Coordinator: Christy Myers | |||
* Production Assistant: Greg Eisenman | |||
* Technical Directors: ], ] (1989-1990) | |||
* Lighting Designed By: Jeffrey M. Engel | |||
* Gaffer: Brian McElroy | |||
* Audio:Cole Coonce | |||
* Senior Video: ] (1989-1990), ] (1989-1990) | |||
* Video: Ross Elliott | |||
* Cameras: Diane Farrell, Marc Hunter, Randy Gomez, Ray Reynolds, Jeff Schuster (1985-), Mike Tribble, ] (1989-1990), ] (1989-1990), ] (1989-1990), Michael Tribble (1989-1990) | |||
* Camera Utility: Valerie Stultman (1984-1985) | |||
* Key Grip: Luke Lima | |||
* Prop Master: Jeff Schwartz | |||
* Game Board Operator: Michele Lee Hampton | |||
* Viedotape Editors: Kirk Morri, Keith Fernandes | |||
* Deko Operator: Joseph Servillo | |||
* Wardrobe: Alan Mills | |||
* Make-Up: Cherie Whitaker, Sandy Reimer-Morris, Larry Abbott (1984-1996) | |||
* Hairdresser: Renee Ferruggia | |||
* Set Decorators: Heather Lynne Rasnick, Heather DeCristo | |||
* Music: Steve Kaplan | |||
==''Jeopardy!'' in popular culture== | |||
''Main article: ]'' | |||
The show has been portrayed or parodied on many television shows, movies, and literature over the years, usually with one of the characters appearing as a contestant. Also many movies have featured Jeopardy! as a show that the actors are watching on television, often playing along. | |||
A prime example of this was the Comedy Central show "]". If any contest answered a question in the question form made popular by Jeopardy, that contestant was forced to wear a dunce cap. However, if they gave the correct response they did receive the money value of the question. | |||
] appeared in a parody of the show in ]'s '']''. | |||
In an episode of "]," ]'s "]" appears on "Jeopardy," and almost wins, but ends up losing in Final Jeopardy! | |||
In the 1992 film ], Gloria Clemente, played by ], becomes a Jeopardy! champion. | |||
In the ] comedy film '']'', ]'s character watches an episode of the program and, having lived the same day over and over again (as per the film's plotline), answered all of the questions correctly, sometimes before they were asked. | |||
In an episode of ], in an effort to get badly needed money, Marge Simpson goes on Jeopardy. She does terribly, and ends up getting a negative score. After the show, she is confronted by Alex Trebek and two large goons, asking Marge for the money she owes the show. When she refuses, he states "When I asked you if you knew the rules, you said you did" and then she runs for it. | |||
In an episode of '']'', ]'s "]" demonstrates his newfound intellect by answering several difficult questions in a row correctly as he and ] watch an episode of the program. | |||
"]" was a popular skit on '']'' featuring ] as Alex Trebek. The skit also featured ] as Trebek's constant nemesis, ], (although all players on the actual ''Celebrity Jeopardy'' appear only once.) | |||
The original Art Fleming version of Jeopardy! was the subject of musician ]'s parody of "Jeopardy" by the ], titled "]." | |||
There is a ] of the program called ''Jeoprandy!'', located on the ]. | |||
==Merchandising== | |||
The ''Jeopardy!'' brand has been used on products in several other formats. | |||
* There have been ''Jeopardy!'' ]s made on almost every popular platform including ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], ], and ]. | |||
* ] also marketed a hand-held travel version of the game in the late ]. | |||
* Several ] versions of the game have been produced over the years by ], ] (including a ] version), ] and ]. | |||
* For the show's 15th season in 1998-1999, a watch was released. The watch plays the famous theme song with the push of a button, and included 25 game cards with the answer-question format. | |||
* Educational toy company Educational Insights (makers of the ] system) has released a self-contained, programmable ''Jeopardy!'' system that can be hooked up to a normal TV set for both home and school use. The school version is marketed as '''''Classroom Jeopardy!''''', while the home version is called '''''Host Your Own Jeopardy!'''''. Except for the names, both systems are identical, using a cartridge-based system for the categories and wireless controls for the players and "host". The unit itself acts as the scoreboard. | |||
* A ''Jeopardy!'' ] was released on ], ]. | |||
==See also== | |||
* ] | |||
==External links== | ==External links== | ||
{{Spoken Misplaced Pages|date=December 28, 2021|En-Jeopardy!-article.ogg}} | |||
{{wikiquote}} | |||
{{Wikiquote}} | |||
* | |||
{{Wiktionary|Jeopardy}} | |||
* | |||
{{Commons category|Jeopardy!}} | |||
* : Clues from all Season 21 and Season 22 episodes (as well as selected games from the past) | |||
* {{Official website|https://www.jeopardy.com/}} | |||
* : Clues from all 20th season episodes | |||
* {{IMDb title|id=0057758|title=Jeopardy!|description=(original series)}} | |||
* | |||
* {{IMDb title|id=0159881|title=Jeopardy!|description=(1984–present series)}} | |||
* | |||
* {{IMDb title|id=0159845|title=The All-New Jeopardy!}} | |||
* : Tournament of Champions results from Seasons 1–15 | |||
*{{ |
* {{EmmyTVLegends title|jeopardy|Jeopardy!}} | ||
* | * , fan-maintained ''Jeopardy!'' archive site | ||
* | |||
* : A free program to build and play Jeopardy games. | |||
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Latest revision as of 04:22, 28 December 2024
American television quiz show "Jeopardy" redirects here. For other uses, see Jeopardy (disambiguation).
Jeopardy! | |
---|---|
Genre | Game show |
Created by | Merv Griffin |
Directed by |
|
Presented by | |
Announcer | |
Theme music composer |
|
Ending theme | "Think!" |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 41 |
No. of episodes | 9,000+ |
Production | |
Executive producers |
|
Producer | see below |
Production locations | The Alex Trebek Stage (formerly Stage 10) Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City |
Running time | 22–26 minutes |
Production companies |
|
Original release | |
Network | NBC |
Release | March 30, 1964 (1964-03-30) – January 3, 1975 (1975-01-03) |
Network | Weekly syndication |
Release | 1974 (1974) – 1975 (1975) |
Network | NBC |
Release | October 2, 1978 (1978-10-02) – March 2, 1979 (1979-03-02) |
Network | Daily syndication |
Release | September 10, 1984 (1984-09-10) – present |
Related | |
Jeopardy! is an American television game show created by Merv Griffin. The show is a quiz competition that reverses the traditional question-and-answer format of many quiz shows. Rather than being given questions, contestants are instead given general knowledge clues in the form of answers and they must identify the person, place, thing, or idea that the clue describes, phrasing each response in the form of a question.
The original daytime version debuted on NBC on March 30, 1964, and aired until January 3, 1975. A nighttime syndicated edition aired weekly from September 1974 to September 1975, and a revival, The All-New Jeopardy!, ran on NBC from October 1978 to March 1979 on weekdays. The syndicated show familiar to modern viewers and aired daily (currently by Sony Pictures Television) premiered on September 10, 1984.
Art Fleming served as host for all versions of the show between 1964 and 1979. Don Pardo served as announcer until 1975, and John Harlan announced for the 1978–1979 season. The daily syndicated version premiered in 1984 with Alex Trebek as host and Johnny Gilbert as announcer. Trebek hosted until his death, with his last episode airing January 8, 2021, after over 36 years in the role. Following his death, a variety of guest hosts completed the season beginning with record-holding former contestant Ken Jennings, each hosting for a few weeks before passing the role on to someone else. Then-executive producer Mike Richards initially assumed the position of permanent host in September 2021, but relinquished the role within a week. Mayim Bialik and Jennings served as permanent rotating hosts of the syndicated series until December 2023, when Jennings became the sole syndicated host. While Bialik was originally arranged to host additional primetime specials on ABC, and spin-offs, the announcement of Jeopardy! Masters in 2023 meant these duties were shared as well. Following Bialik's withdrawal in part of supporting writers and actors due to the 2023 Hollywood labor disputes, Jennings assumed hosting duties for all forms of media.
Currently in its 41st season, Jeopardy! is one of the longest-running game shows of all time. The show has consistently enjoyed a wide viewership and received many accolades from professional television critics. With over 9,000 episodes aired, the daily syndicated version of Jeopardy! has won a record 45 Emmy Awards as well as a Peabody Award. In 2013, the program was ranked No. 45 on TV Guide's list of the 60 greatest shows in American television history. Jeopardy! has also gained a worldwide following with regional adaptations in many other countries.
Gameplay
"Double Jeopardy!" redirects here. For other uses, see Double Jeopardy.Each game of Jeopardy! features three contestants competing in three rounds: Jeopardy!, Double Jeopardy!, and Final Jeopardy! In each round, contestants are presented trivia clues phrased as answers, to which they must respond in the form of a question that correctly identifies whatever the clue is describing. For example, instead of asking, "Who is the only U.S. President to marry in the White House?" and the answer being "Grover Cleveland", the clue is "He is the only U.S. president to marry in the White House" and the contestant would respond by asking "Who is Grover Cleveland?"
The Jeopardy! and Double Jeopardy! rounds each feature game boards consisting of six categories with five clues each. The clues are valued by dollar amounts from lowest to highest, ostensibly by difficulty. The values of the clues increased over time, with those in the Double Jeopardy! round always being double the range of the Jeopardy! round. On the original Jeopardy! series, clue values in the first round ranged from $10 to $50 in the Jeopardy! round and $20 to $100 in Double Jeopardy! On The All-New Jeopardy!, they ranged from $25 to $125 and $50 to $250. The 1984 series' clue values originally ranged from $100 to $500 in Jeopardy! and $200 to $1,000 in Double Jeopardy! These ranges were increased to $200–$1,000 and $400–$2,000, respectively, on November 26, 2001.
Gameplay begins when the returning champion selects a clue by indicating its category and dollar value. The two (or if there is no returning champion, three) challengers participate in a random draw prior to taping to determine contestant order, and if there is no returning champion, the contestant who drew the first lectern starts. The underlying clue is revealed and read aloud by the host, after which any contestant may ring in using a lock-out device. The first contestant to successfully ring in is prompted to respond to the clue by stating a question containing the correct answer to the clue. Any grammatically coherent question with the correct answer within it counts as a correct response. If the contestant responds correctly, its dollar value is added to the contestant's score, and they may select a new clue from the board. An incorrect response or failure to respond within five seconds deducts the clue's value from the contestant's score and allows the other contestants the opportunity to ring in and respond. If the response is not technically incorrect but otherwise judged too vague, the contestant is given additional time to provide a more specific response. Whenever none of the contestants ring in and respond correctly, the host gives the correct response, and the player who selected the previous clue chooses the next clue. Gameplay continues until the board is cleared or the round's time length expires, which is typically indicated by a beeping sound.
The contestant who has the lowest score selects the first clue to start the Double Jeopardy! round. Since 2021, if there is a tie for the contestant with the lowest score, the contestant with the last correct question among the tied players selects first.
A "Daily Double" clue is hidden behind one clue in the Jeopardy! round, and two in Double Jeopardy! The name and inspiration were taken from a horse-racing term. Daily Double clues with a sound or video component are known as "Audio Daily Doubles" or "Video Daily Doubles", respectively. Before the clue is revealed, the contestant who has selected the Daily Double must declare a wager, from a minimum of $5 to a maximum of their entire score (known as a "true Daily Double") or the highest clue value available in the round, whichever is greater. Only the contestant who chooses the Daily Double is allowed to answer. A correct response adds the value of the wager to the contestant's score while an incorrect response or failure to provide a response deducts the same value. Whether the contestant responds correctly or not, they choose the next clue.
During the Jeopardy! round, contestants are not penalized for forgetting to phrase their response in the form of a question, although the host will remind them to watch their phrasing in future responses. In the Double Jeopardy! round and in the Daily Double in the Jeopardy! round, the phrasing rule is followed more strictly, with a response only able to be ruled as correct if it is phrased properly in question form. A contestant who initially does not phrase a response in the form of a question must re-phrase it before the host rules against them.
Contestants are encouraged to select the clues in order from lowest to highest value, as the clues are sometimes written in each category to flow from one to the next. Deviating from this is known as the "Forrest Bounce", a strategy in which contestants randomly pick clues to confuse opponents that was first used in 1985 by Chuck Forrest, who won over $70,000 in his initial run as champion. Trebek expressed that this strategy not only annoyed him but also the staff, since it disrupts the rhythm that develops when revealing the clues and increases the potential for error. Another strategy used by some contestants is to play all of the higher-valued clues first and build up a substantial lead, starting at the bottom of the board. This strategy was regularly used by James Holzhauer during his winning streak between April and June 2019.
From the premiere of the original Jeopardy! until the end of the 1984–85 syndicated season, contestants were allowed to ring in as soon as the clue was revealed. Since September 1985, contestants are required to wait until the clue is read before ringing in. To accommodate the rule change, lights were added to the game board (unseen by home viewers) to signify when it is permissible for contestants to signal. Attempting to signal before the light goes on locks the contestant out for half of a second. The change was made to allow the home audience to play along more easily and to keep an extremely fast contestant from potentially dominating the game. In pre-1985 episodes, a sound accompanied a contestant ringing in. According to Trebek, the sound was eliminated because it was "distracting to the viewers" and presented a problem when contestants rang in while Trebek was still reading the clue. Contestants who are visually impaired or blind are given a card with the category names printed in Braille before each round begins.
To ensure fairness in competition and accuracy in scores, the judges double-check their own rulings throughout each episode. If it is determined at any point that a previous response was wrongly ruled correct or incorrect during the taping of an episode, the scores are adjusted at the first available opportunity, typically either at the start of the next round/segment or immediately after a Daily Double is found, with the host providing any necessary explanation regarding the changes. If an error that may have affected the result is not discovered until after taping of an episode is completed, the affected contestants are invited back to compete on a future show complying with federal quiz show regulations.
Contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with zero dollars or a negative score are automatically eliminated from the game at that point and awarded a consolation prize. On at least one episode hosted by Art Fleming, all three contestants finished Double Jeopardy! with zero dollars or less, and as a result, no Final Jeopardy! round was played. This rule is still in place for the syndicated version, although staff has suggested that it is not set in stone and they may decide to display the clue for home viewers' play if such a situation were ever to occur.
Final Jeopardy!
"Final Jeopardy!" redirects here. For other uses, see Final Jeopardy.The Final Jeopardy! round features a single clue. At the end of the Double Jeopardy! round, the host announces the Final Jeopardy! category and a commercial break follows. Contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with less than $1 do not participate in this round. During the break, partitions are placed between the contestant lecterns, and each contestant makes a final wager; they may wager any amount of their earnings, but may not wager certain numbers with connotations that are deemed inappropriate. Contestants write their wagers using a light pen on an electronic display on their lectern within a time limit of five minutes, during which they also phrase the question, which is pre-written during the wager. After the break, the Final Jeopardy! clue is revealed and read by the host. The contestants have 30 seconds to write their responses on the electronic display, while the show's "Think!" music plays. If either the display or the pen malfunctions, contestants can manually write their responses and wagers using an index card and marker, although the index card has the required phrasing pre-printed on each side ("Who/What"). Visually impaired or blind contestants typically type their responses and wagers with a computer keyboard.
Contestants' responses are revealed in order of their pre-Final Jeopardy! scores from lowest to highest. Once a correct response is revealed the host confirms it. Otherwise, the host reveals the correct response if all contestants responded incorrectly. A correct response adds the amount of the contestant's wager to their score. A miss, failure to respond, insufficiently specific response, misspelling that affects the pronunciation of the answer, or failure to phrase the response as a question (even if correct) deducts it.
The contestant with the highest score at the end of the round is that day's winner. If there is a tie for second place, consolation prizes are awarded based on the scores going into the Final Jeopardy! round. If all three contestants finish with zero dollars, no one returns as champion for the next show, and based on scores going into the Final Jeopardy! round, the two contestants who were first and second receive the second-place prize, and the contestant in third receives the third-place prize.
Various researchers have studied Final Jeopardy! wagering strategies. If the leader's score is more than twice the second place contestant's score (a situation known as a "runaway game"), the leader can guarantee victory by making a sufficiently small wager. Otherwise, according to Jeopardy! College Champion Keith Williams, the leader usually wagers an amount that would be a dollar greater than twice the second place contestant's score, guaranteeing a win with a correct response. Writing about Jeopardy! wagering in the 1990s, mathematicians George Gilbert and Rhonda Hatcher said that "most players wager aggressively".
Winnings
The top scorer in each game is paid their winnings in cash and returns to play in the next match. Non-winners receive consolation prizes instead of their winnings in the game. Since May 16, 2002, consolation prizes have been awarded in cash—$2,000 for second-place contestants and $1,000 for third-place contestants. Since travel and lodging are generally not provided for contestants, cash consolation prizes offset these costs. Production covers the cost of travel for returning champions and players invited back because of errors who must make multiple trips to Los Angeles. Production also covers the cost of travel if a tournament travels (does not stay in Los Angeles) on the second week. Starting in Season 40, according to the official podcast in August 2023, as a result of inflation, consolation prizes were raised $1,000 each to $3,000 for second and $2,000 for third.
During Art Fleming's hosting run, all three contestants received their winnings in cash where applicable. This was changed at the start of Trebek's hosting run to avoid the problem of contestants who stopped participating in the game, or avoided wagering in Final Jeopardy!, rather than risk losing the money they had already won. This also allowed the increase to clue values since only one contestant's score is paid instead of three. From 1984 to 2002, non-winning contestants on the Trebek version received vacation packages and merchandise, which were donated by manufacturers as promotional consideration. Since 2004, a presenting sponsor has provided cash prizes to the losing contestants.
Returning champions
The winner of each episode returns to compete against two new contestants on the next episode. Originally, a contestant who won five consecutive days retired undefeated and was guaranteed a spot in the Tournament of Champions. The five-day limit was eliminated September 8, 2003.
In rare instances, contestants tie for first place. The rules related to ties have changed over time. Since November 24, 2014, ties for first place following Final Jeopardy! are broken with a tie-breaker clue, resulting in only one champion being named, keeping their winnings, and returning to compete in the next show. The tied contestants are given the category and read the single clue, and the first contestant to buzz-in must give the correct question. A contestant cannot win by default if the opponent gives an incorrect question or forgets to phrase the response as a question (even if correct). The contestant must give a correct question to win the game. If neither player gives the correct question, another clue is given. Previously, if two or all three contestants tied for first place, they were declared "co-champions", and each retained his or her winnings and (unless one was a five-time champion who retired prior to 2003) returned on the following episode. A tie occurred on the January 29, 2014, episode when Arthur Chu, leading at the end of Double Jeopardy!, wagered to tie challenger Carolyn Collins rather than winning. Chu followed Jeopardy! College Champion Keith Williams's advice to wager for the tie to increase the leader's chances of winning. A three-way (non-zero) tie for first place has only occurred once on the syndicated version hosted by Trebek, on March 16, 2007, when Scott Weiss, Jamey Kirby, and Anders Martinson all ended the game with $16,000. Until March 1, 2018, no regular game had ended in a tie-breaker.
If no contestant finishes Final Jeopardy! with a positive total, there is no winner and three new contestants compete on the next episode. This has happened on several episodes, including the second episode hosted by Trebek. A winner unable to return as champion because of a change in personal circumstances – for example, illness or a job offer – may be allowed to appear as a co-champion (now a rare occurrence since the co-champion rule was disestablished in early Season 31) in a later episode.
Variations for tournament play
Throughout each season, Jeopardy! features various special tournaments for particular groups (as named in "Tournaments and other events" below). Each year at the Tournament of Champions, the players who had won the most games and money in the previous season come back to compete against each other for a large cash prize. Tournaments generally feature 15 contestants and run for 10 consecutive episodes. They generally take place across three rounds: the quarterfinal round (five games), the semifinal round (three games), and the final round (two games).
The first five episodes, the quarterfinals, feature three new contestants each day. Other than in the Tournament of Champions, the quarterfinals are unseeded and contestants participate in a random draw to determine playing order and lectern positions over the course of the five games. The Tournament of Champions is seeded based on total winnings in regular games to determine playing order and lectern positions, with the top five players occupying the champion's lectern for the quarterfinal games. Since the removal of the five-game limit in 2003, in the unlikely case of a tie in total winnings between two Tournament of Champions players, the player who won the most games receives the higher seed. If still tied, seeding is determined by comparing the tied players' previous aggregate scores.
The winners of the five quarterfinal games and the four highest-scoring non-winners ("wild cards") advance to the semifinals, which run for three days. The semifinals are seeded with the quarterfinal winners being seeded 1–5 based on their quarterfinal scores, and the wild cards being seeded 6–9. The winners of the quarterfinal games with the three highest scores occupy the champion's lectern for the semifinals. The winners of the three semifinal games advance to play in a two-game final match, in which the scores from both games are combined to determine the overall standings. This format has been used since the first Tournament of Champions in 1985 and was devised by Trebek himself.
To prevent later contestants from playing to beat the earlier wild card scores instead of playing to win, contestants are "completely isolated from the studio until it is their time to compete".
If none of the contestants in a standard 15-player tournament format quarterfinal end with a positive score, no contestant automatically qualifies from that game, and an additional wild card contestant advances instead. This occurred in the quarterfinals of the 1991 Seniors Tournament and the semifinals of the 2013 Teen Tournament, where the rule was in effect during the semifinals, but after that tournament the rule has changed for semifinals and finals.
As the players are not isolated during the semifinals the way they are during the quarterfinals, show officials discovered a flaw after the 2013 Teen Tournament, because the triple zero loss happened in the second semifinal that allowed the third semifinal of the 2013 Teen Tournament to be played differently from the first (which was played before the triple zero loss). Starting with the 2013 Tournament of Champions, semifinal games, like the two-game finals, must have a winner. Players who participate in Final Jeopardy! will participate in the standard tie-breaker, regardless of the score being zero or a positive score. Similarly, if all three players have a zero score at the end of a two-game match, a normal tournament finals format will proceed to a tie-breaker. In a tournament format where a player must win multiple games to win the tournament, such as the 2020 Greatest of All Time or 2022 Tournament of Champions, or in the quarterfinals of tournaments without wild cards where a player must win the game to advance (21 or 27 players), the tie-breaker will be used regardless of the score being zero or positive for players to win the game and either advance to the next round or receive the point towards winning the tournament. This was confirmed by Ken Jennings in a post-match interview posted on the show's website during the Season 40 Champions Wildcard Tournament.
In the standard tournament finals format, contestants who finish Double Jeopardy! with a zero dollars or negative score on either day do not play Final Jeopardy! that day. Their score for that leg is recorded as zero dollars.
Conception and development
In a 1963 Associated Press profile released shortly before the original Jeopardy! series premiered, Merv Griffin offered the following account of how he created the quiz show:
My wife Julann just came up with the idea one day when we were in a plane bringing us back to New York City from Duluth. I was mulling over game show ideas, when she noted that there had not been a successful "question and answer" game on the air since the quiz show scandals. Why not do a switch, and give the answers to the contestant and let them come up with the question? She fired a couple of answers to me: "5,280"—and the question of course was "How many feet in a mile?" Another was "79 Wistful Vista"; that was Fibber and Mollie McGee's address. I loved the idea, went straight to NBC with the idea, and they bought it without even looking at a pilot show.
Griffin's first conception of the game used a board comprising ten categories with ten clues each, but after finding that this board could not easily be shown on camera, he reduced it to two rounds of thirty clues each, with five clues in each of six categories. He originally intended requiring grammatically correct phrasing (e.g., only accepting "Who is..." for a person), but after finding that grammatical correction slowed the game down, he decided to accept any correct response that was in question form. Griffin discarded his initial title of What's the Question? when skeptical network executive Ed Vane rejected his original concept of the game, claiming, "It doesn't have enough jeopardies."
The format of giving contestants the answers and requiring the questions had previously been used by the Gil Fates-hosted program CBS Television Quiz, which aired from July 1941 until May 1942.
Personnel
Hosts
- Art Fleming hosted all American versions that aired from 1964 to 1979.
- Alex Trebek hosted the show from 1984 until his death in 2020.
- Mike Richards was the host of the show for one week in 2021.
- Mayim Bialik rotated as host with Ken Jennings from 2021 to 2023.
- Ken Jennings rotated as host with Mayim Bialik from 2021 to 2023 and has been sole host since 2023.
Art Fleming was the original host of the show throughout both NBC runs and its brief weekly syndicated run, between 1964 and 1979. Alex Trebek served as host of the daily syndicated version from its premiere in 1984 until his death in 2020, except when he switched places with Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak as an April Fool's joke on April 1, 1997.
Trebek was still serving as host, having taped his last episode on October 29, 2020, for an intended Christmas Day broadcast, when contingency plans were made for him to miss the next taping, scheduled for November 9–10, 2020. In a New York magazine interview from 2022, then-consulting producer and former contestant Ken Jennings noted supervising producers Lisa Broffman and Rocky Schmidt had named him interim host for that taping and remembered his last conversation with Trebek days before rehearsal was to commence. In Sony Pictures Television's official Jeopardy! podcast in 2023, Broffman noted the rehearsal for Jennings was scheduled November 8, 2020, but canceled when Schmidt gave staff the news that Trebek had died that day.
At the time of Trebek's death, producers publicly declined to discuss any plans to introduce his successor while stating that they had enough new episodes with Trebek as host to run through Christmas Day. On November 9, 2020, the first episode to air after Trebek's death, executive producer Mike Richards paid tribute to Trebek, after a few seconds of silence where the lights on the Jeopardy! set (which had been set up for Jennings to host before Trebek's death) slowly dimmed. That episode, as well as subsequent episodes that aired after Trebek's death, included a dedication screen at the end of the credits through the remainder of the season. To compensate for concerns over pre-emptions caused by holiday week specials and sports, SPT postponed the air dates of Trebek's final week; the episodes scheduled for the week of December 21–25 were moved to January 4–8, 2021. Before Trebek's final episodes, reruns of episodes in which he recorded clues on location were shown from December 21, 2020, to January 1, 2021.
Jennings took over hosting when production resumed on November 30, 2020; his six weeks of episodes aired between January 11 and February 19, 2021. The season went on to be completed by additional guest hosts, namely the aforementioned Richards; news personalities Katie Couric, Bill Whitaker, Savannah Guthrie, Sanjay Gupta, Anderson Cooper, George Stephanopoulos, and Robin Roberts; athlete Aaron Rodgers; talk show host Mehmet Oz; actress Mayim Bialik; former children's show host LeVar Burton; business journalist David Faber; and sportscaster Joe Buck. In addition, the 2021 Tournament of Champions was hosted by Buzzy Cohen, winner of the 2017 tournament.
On August 11, 2021, it was announced that Richards would succeed Trebek as host of the daily show and Bialik would host Jeopardy! primetime specials and spin-offs. On August 20, following a report from The Ringer exposing controversial remarks made on his podcast in the past, resurfaced controversies from Richards's time on The Price Is Right, and accusations of self-dealing regarding his executive producer position, Richards stepped down as host after taping only one week of episodes. Richards's five episodes as host aired in September 2021. Bialik and Jennings then alternated hosting the show through the 2021–2022 season. Bialik also hosted the season's various tournaments and primetime specials.
In July 2022, it was announced that Bialik and Jennings would return as co-hosts of the syndicated version. Jennings would host the Tournament of Champions and the new Second Chance Tournament, while Bialik would again host the primetime specials and spinoffs, including a new celebrity edition of Jeopardy!, which premiered in September 2022. However, in January 2023, ABC announced Jennings would host a Jeopardy! Masters spinoff, indicating a change of arrangement. In May 2023, Bialik opted not to host the final episodes of the season in support of writers during the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, with Jennings stepping in to host the remaining episodes. Bialik formally went on strike with her union, SAG-AFTRA, shortly thereafter. It was later announced that Jennings would host the second season of the new celebrity edition. In December 2023, after the strike was resolved, Sony announced that Jennings would remain the sole host of the syndicated series permanently, noting that it was still open to having Bialik host the prime time specials.
Announcers
Don Pardo held the role of announcer on the NBC version and weekly syndicated version, while John Harlan replaced him for The All-New Jeopardy! In the daily syndicated version's first pilot, from 1983, Jay Stewart served as the announcer, but Johnny Gilbert took over the role at Trebek's recommendation when that version was picked up as a series.
Clue Crew
The Jeopardy! Clue Crew, introduced on September 24, 2001, was a team of roving correspondents who appeared in videos, recorded around the world, to narrate some clues. Explaining why the Clue Crew was added, executive producer Harry Friedman said, "TV is a visual medium, and the more visual we can make our clues, the more we think it will enhance the experience for the viewer."
Following the initial announcement of auditions for the team, over 5,000 people applied for Clue Crew posts. The original Clue Crew members were Cheryl Farrell, Jimmy McGuire, Sofia Lidskog, and Sarah Whitcomb Foss. Lidskog left the Clue Crew in 2004, and Jon Cannon and Kelly Miyahara took over her position in 2005. Farrell recorded clues until October 2008, and Cannon until July 2009. Miyahara, who also served as announcer for the Sports Jeopardy! spin-off series, left in 2019.
The Clue Crew was eliminated beginning with the 39th season in September 2022; Foss became a producer for the show and McGuire a stage manager. Foss also serves as in-studio announcer when Johnny Gilbert is unable to attend a taping. In such cases, her voice is replaced with Gilbert's in post-production.
The Clue Crew traveled to over 300 cities worldwide, spanning all 50 of the United States and 46 other countries. Occasionally, they visited schools to showcase the educational game Classroom Jeopardy!
Production staff
Merv Griffin created the show and was executive producer from 1984 to 2000.Harry Friedman was executive producer from 1999 to 2020.Robert Rubin served as the producer of the original Jeopardy! series for most of its run and later became its executive producer. Following Rubin's promotion, the line producer was Lynette Williams.
Griffin was the daily syndicated version's executive producer until his retirement in 2000. Trebek served as producer as well as host until 1987, when he began hosting NBC's Classic Concentration for the next four years. At that time, he handed producer duties to George Vosburgh, who had formerly produced The All-New Jeopardy! In 1997, Harry Friedman, Lisa Finneran (now known as Lisa Broffman), and Rocky Schmidt succeeded Vosburgh as producers of the show. Beginning in 1999, Friedman became executive producer, and Gary Johnson became the third producer. In 2006, Deb Dittmann and Brett Schneider became producers, while Finneran, Schmidt, and Johnson were promoted to supervising producers. Johnson left the show in 2011, while the other producers remained until Sarah Whitcomb Foss took over all producer duties following the Clue Crew's 2022 disbanding.
The original Jeopardy! series was directed at different times by Bob Hultgren, Eleanor Tarshis, and Jeff Goldstein. Dick Schneider, who directed episodes of The All-New Jeopardy!, returned as director from 1984 to 1992. He was then succeeded by his associate director, Kevin McCarthy, who served until his retirement in 2018. After McCarthy's departure, he was succeeded by Clay Jacobsen, who served through 2021 and was later replaced by Russell Norman.
As of 2022, Jeopardy! employs seven full-time writers and seven researchers to create and assemble the categories and clues. Billy Wisse is the editorial producer and Michele Loud is the editorial supervisor. Previous writing and editorial supervisors have included Jules Minton, Terrence McDonnell, Harry Eisenberg, and Gary Johnson. Trebek himself also contributed to writing clues and categories.
Naomi Slodki is the production designer for the program. Previous art directors have included Henry Lickel, Dennis Roof, Bob Rang, and Ed Flesh (who also designed sets for other game shows such as The $25,000 Pyramid, Name That Tune, and Wheel of Fortune).
On August 1, 2019, SPT announced that Friedman would retire as executive producer of both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune at the end of the 2019–20 season; Mike Richards replaced Friedman in 2020. On August 31, 2021, after Richards had resigned as host earlier in the month, SPT fired him from his executive producer position at both Jeopardy! and Wheel, citing continued internal turmoil that Richards's resignation as host had failed to quell as they had hoped. Michael Davies from Embassy Row, which produces the 2021 revival of the U.S. version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, became interim executive producer through the 2021–22 season, then permanent executive producer on April 14, 2022.
Production
The daily syndicated version of Jeopardy! is produced by Sony Pictures Television (previously known as Columbia TriStar Television, the successor company to original producer Merv Griffin Enterprises). The copyright holder is Jeopardy Productions, which, like SPT, operates as a subsidiary of Sony Pictures Entertainment. The rights to distribute the program worldwide are owned by CBS Media Ventures, which absorbed original distributor King World Productions in 2007.
The original Jeopardy! series was taped in Studio 6A at NBC Studios at 30 Rockefeller Plaza in New York City, and The All-New Jeopardy! was taped in Studio 3 at NBC's Burbank Studios at 3000 West Alameda Avenue in Burbank, California. The Trebek version was initially taped at Metromedia Stage 7, KTTV, on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, but moved its production facilities to Hollywood Center Studios' Stage 1 in 1985. In 1994 the Jeopardy! production facilities moved to Sony Pictures Studios' Stage 10 on Washington Boulevard in Culver City, California, where production has remained since. Stage 10 was dedicated in Trebek's honor when episodes for the 38th season began taping in August 2021, with the stage being renamed to "The Alex Trebek Stage", with help from the Trebek family (Alex's wife, Jean, son, Matthew, and daughters, Emily and Nicky).
Five episodes are taped each day, with two days of taping every other week. However, taping slowed after Alex Trebek's health issues in 2019 until his last taping day on October 29, 2020. Some weeks had three episodes taped within a single day, while some had two episodes taped within a single day.
Set
Various technological and aesthetic changes have been made to the Jeopardy! set over the years. The original game board was exposed from behind a curtain and featured clues printed on cardboard pull cards which were revealed as contestants selected them. The All-New Jeopardy!'s game board was exposed from behind double-slide panels and featured pull cards with the dollar amount in front and the clue behind it. When the Trebek version premiered in 1984, the game board used individual television monitors for each clue within categories. The original monitors were replaced with larger and sleeker ones in 1991. In 2006, these monitors were discarded in favor of a nearly seamless projection video wall, which was replaced in 2009 with 36 high-definition flat-panel monitors manufactured by Sony Electronics. The game board was finally refurbished for season 41 in 2024, replacing the individual monitors board with a singular electronic screen, similar to the upgraded Wheel of Fortune puzzle board introduced in 2022.
From 1985 to 1997, the sets were designed to have a background color of blue for the Jeopardy! round and red for the Double Jeopardy! and Final Jeopardy! rounds. In 1991, the show introduced a brand new set that resembled a grid. On the episode aired November 11, 1996, Jeopardy! introduced the first of several sets designed by Naomi Slodki, who intended the set to resemble "the foyer of a very contemporary library, with wood and sandblasted glass and blue granite".
In 2002, another new set was introduced, which was given slight modifications when Jeopardy! and sister show Wheel of Fortune transitioned to high-definition broadcasts in 2006. During this time, virtual tours of the set began to be featured on the official web site. The various HD improvements for Jeopardy! and Wheel represented a combined investment of approximately $4 million, 5,000 hours of labor, and 6 miles (9.7 km) of cable. Both programs had been shot using HD cameras for several years before beginning to broadcast in HD. On standard-definition television broadcasts, episodes continue displaying with an aspect ratio of 4:3.
In 2009, Jeopardy! updated its set once again. The new set debuted with special episodes taped at the 42nd annual International CES technology trade show, hosted at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Winchester (Las Vegas Valley), Nevada, and became the primary set for Jeopardy! when the 2009–2010 season began.
In 2013, Jeopardy! introduced another new set. This set underwent several modifications in 2020, with a wider studio without any studio audience (the last episodes of the 2019–2020 season were also taped without an audience), and new lecterns for contestants and the host. The lecterns are spaced considerably apart to comply with California state regulations imposed when filming resumed after the COVID-19 pandemic ended the 2020 season early. Although the modified COVID-era set from the previous two seasons was kept, the live studio audience fully returned for season 39, which began airing on September 12, 2022.
Theme music
Since the debut of Jeopardy! in 1964, several songs and arrangements have been used as the theme music, most of which were composed by Griffin. The main theme for the original Jeopardy! series was "Take Ten", composed by Griffin's wife Julann. The All-New Jeopardy! opened with "January, February, March" and closed with "Frisco Disco", both of which were composed by Griffin himself.
The best-known theme song on Jeopardy! is "Think!", originally composed by Griffin under the title "A Time for Tony", as a lullaby for his son. "Think!" has always been used for the 30-second period in Final Jeopardy! when the contestants write down their responses, and since the syndicated version debuted in 1984, a rendition of that tune has been used as the main theme song. "Think!" has become so popular that it has been used in many different contexts, from sporting events to weddings; "its 30-second countdown has become synonymous with any deadline pressure". Griffin estimated that the use of "Think!" had earned him royalties of over $70 million throughout his lifetime. "Think!" led Griffin to win the Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) President's Award in 2003, and during GSN's 2009 Game Show Awards special, it was named "Best Game Show Theme Song". In 1997, the main theme (later rearranged in 2001) and Final Jeopardy! "Think!" cue were rearranged by Steve Kaplan, who served as music director until his December 2003 death. Then in 2008, the Jeopardy! music package was rearranged again, this time by Chris Bell Music & Sound Design. A fully-synthesized version of the main theme, which is based on the 2008 arrangement, was composed by Bleeding Fingers Music and has been used since 2021.
Audition process
Main article: Jeopardy! audition processFor the original Jeopardy! series, prospective contestants contacted the production office in New York to arrange an appointment and to preliminarily determine eligibility. They were briefed and auditioned together in groups of ten to thirty individuals, participating in both a written test and mock games. Individuals who were successful at the audition were invited to appear on the program within approximately six weeks.
Since 1984, prospective contestants begin with a written exam comprising 50 questions. This exam is administered online periodically, as well as being offered at regional contestant search events. Since 1998, a Winnebago recreational vehicle dubbed the "Jeopardy! Brain Bus" travels to conduct regional events throughout the United States and Canada. Participants who correctly answer at least 35 out of 50 questions advance in the audition process and are invited to attend in-person group auditions throughout the country. At these auditions, a second written exam is administered, followed by a mock game and interviews. Those who are approved are notified at a later time and invited to appear as contestants.
Contestants are required to travel to the production location (Culver City, California, since 1994), making travel and lodging arrangements at their own expense when doing so. According to Andy Saunders, creator of The Jeopardy! Fan website, "This has been a longstanding Jeopardy! policy and has generally been presented as an issue of fairness by the show. A 1994 Oakland Tribune article quotes then–contestant coordinator Kelley Carpenter as saying, 'Because we have both out-of-towners and locals appearing on the show, if we were to pay for an airfare and a hotel, we would have technically given away money to some contestants coming from the East Coast, which wouldn't be fair to someone who only lives 20 minutes away.'" Eligibility is limited to people who have not previously appeared as contestants, and have not been to an in-person audition for at least 18 months.
Many of the contestants who appear on the series, including many Teen Tournament and College Championship contestants, participated in quiz bowl competitions during their time in high school. The National Academic Quiz Tournaments has been described by Ken Jennings as a de facto "minor league" for game shows such as Jeopardy!
Broadcast history
Main article: Broadcast of Jeopardy!The original Jeopardy! series premiered on NBC on March 30, 1964, and by the end of the 1960s was the second-highest-rated daytime game show, behind only The Hollywood Squares. The program was successful until 1974, when Lin Bolen, then NBC's Vice President of Daytime Programming, moved the show out of the noontime slot where it had been located for most of its run, as part of her effort to boost ratings among the 18–34 female demographic. After 2,753 episodes, the original Jeopardy! series ended on January 3, 1975. To compensate Griffin for its cancellation, NBC purchased Wheel of Fortune, another show that he had created, and premiered it the following Monday. A syndicated edition of Jeopardy!, distributed by Metromedia and featuring many contestants who were previously champions on the original series, aired in primetime from 1974 to 1975. The NBC daytime series was later revived as The All-New Jeopardy!, which premiered on October 2, 1978, and aired 108 episodes, ending on March 2, 1979. This revival featured significant rule changes, including progressive elimination of contestants over the course of the main game, and a Super Jeopardy! bonus round (based loosely on bingo) instead of Final Jeopardy!
The daily syndicated version debuted on September 10, 1984, and was launched in response to the success of the syndicated version of Wheel and the installation of electronic trivia games in pubs and bars. This version of the program has outlived 300 other game shows and has become the second most popular game show in syndication (behind Wheel), averaging 25 million viewers per week. The most recent renewal, in January 2023, extends it through the 2027–28 season.
Jeopardy! has spawned versions in many foreign countries throughout the world, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Sweden, Russia, Denmark, Israel, and Australia. The American syndicated version of Jeopardy! is also broadcast throughout the world, with international distribution rights handled by CBS Studios International.
Four spin-off versions of Jeopardy! have been created. Rock & Roll Jeopardy! debuted on VH1 in 1998 and ran until 2001. The format centered around post-1950s popular music trivia and was hosted by Jeff Probst. Jep!, which aired on GSN during the 1998–1999 season, was a special children's version hosted by Bob Bergen and featured various rule changes from the original version. Sports Jeopardy!, a sports-themed version hosted by Dan Patrick, premiered in 2014 on the Crackle digital service and eventually moved to the cable sports network NBCSN in 2016. In 2024, Pop Culture Jeopardy! premiered as an exclusive show on Amazon Prime Video. Hosted by Colin Jost, it featured three teams of three participating in a single-elimination tournament where the winning team earned a $300,000 grand prize. Categories were geared more toward "pub trivia"-style knowledge.
In March 2020, taping halted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, the production team taped episodes without an audience, until production was shut down altogether. In May 2020, Sony announced new episodes would air until June 12, 2020, including the Teachers Tournament. In July 2020, Jeopardy! began rerunning a package of 20 classic episodes, including the first two from the syndicated run.
Production resumed in August 2020 with new safety measures in place following government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent. New expanded lecterns, designed to allow social distancing during gameplay, are spaced apart from one another. In seasons 37–38, only essential staff and crew were allowed on stage. Personal protective equipment is provided for everyone behind the scenes and all staff and crew are tested regularly, while contestants are also tested before they step onto the set. Social distancing measures are also enforced off-stage. Ken Jennings joined production in an on-air role in 2020.
Following Trebek's death, an announcement noted that the pre-taped episodes were to air posthumously until December 25, 2020. Owing to concerns after a late start to tapings caused by the pandemic and the cancellation of November tapings, officials added a two-week lineup of classic episodes to avoid NFL, NBA, or local Christmas programming preemptions that moved Trebek's final episode to January 8, 2021. The first episode with an interim host aired January 11, 2021.
Archived episodes
Only a small number of episodes survive from Fleming's run as host of Jeopardy!. From the original NBC daytime version, archived episodes mostly consist of black-and-white kinescopes of the original color videotapes. Various episodes from 1967, 1971, 1973, and 1974 are listed among the holdings of the UCLA Film and Television Archive. The 1964 "test episode", Episode No. 2,000 (from February 21, 1972, in color), and a June 1975 episode of the weekly syndicated edition exist at the Paley Center for Media. The test episode, of which only a few limited clips had been released, was released to the public in full on the Jeopardy! YouTube account March 30, 2022, and an audiotape containing approximately five minutes (including introductions and Final Jeopardy!) from the first aired episode was also released to the public; both episodes were released to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the show's debut. The 1975 series finale, also in color and containing two short clips from the 1967 "College Scholarship Tournament" and Gene Shalit's appearance on an early version of Celebrity Jeopardy! also exists in its entirety. Incomplete paper records of the NBC-era games exist on microfilm at the Library of Congress. GSN holds The All-New Jeopardy!'s premiere and finale in broadcast quality, and aired the latter on December 31, 1999, as part of its "Y2Play" marathon. The UCLA Archive holds a copy of a pilot taped for CBS in 1977, and the premiere exists among the Paley Center's holdings.
GSN, which, like Jeopardy!, is an affiliate of Sony Pictures Television, has rerun episodes since the channel's launch in 1994. Copies of 43 Trebek-hosted syndicated Jeopardy! episodes aired between 1989 and 2004 have been collected by the UCLA Archive, and the premiere and various other episodes are included in the Paley Center's collection. In July 2022, Vulture reported that vintage episodes of the daily syndicated version would air on a dedicated channel on Pluto TV (owned by distributor Paramount Global) beginning in August. The channel, named Jeopardy! Hosted by Alex Trebek, launched on August 1 and ended on July 31, 2024 after a two-year run.
Reception and legacy
By 1994, the press called Jeopardy! "an American icon". It has won a record 44 Daytime Emmy Awards. The program holds the record for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game/Audience Participation Show, with nineteen awards won in that category. Trebek won eight awards for Outstanding Game Show Host. Twelve other awards were won by the show's directors and writers in the categories of Outstanding Direction for a Game/Audience Participation Show and Outstanding Special Class Writing before these categories were removed in 2006. On June 17, 2011, Trebek shared the Lifetime Achievement Award with Sajak at the 38th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards ceremony. The following year, the program was honored with a Peabody Award for its role in encouraging, celebrating, and rewarding knowledge.
In its April 17–23, 1993, issue, TV Guide named Jeopardy! the best game show of the 1970s as part of a celebration of the magazine's 40th anniversary. In January 2001, the magazine ranked the program number 2 on its "50 Greatest Game Shows" list—second only to The Price Is Right. It later ranked Jeopardy! number 45 on its list of the 60 Best TV Series of All Time, calling it "habit-forming" and saying that the program "always makes feel smarter". Also in 2013, the program ranked number 1 on TV Guide's list of the 60 Greatest Game Shows. In the summer of 2006, the program was ranked number 2 on GSN's list of the 50 Greatest Game Shows of All Time, second only to Match Game.
A hall of fame honoring Jeopardy! was added to the Sony Pictures Studios tour on September 20, 2011. It features the show's Emmy Awards as well as retired set pieces, classic merchandise, video clips, photographs, and other memorabilia related to Jeopardy!'s history.
In 1989, Fleming expressed dissatisfaction with the daily syndicated Jeopardy! series in an essay published in Sports Illustrated. He confessed that he only watched the Trebek version infrequently—only for a handful of questions—and criticized this iteration mainly for its Hollywood setting. Fleming believed that in contrast to New Yorkers who Fleming considered being more intelligent and authentic, moving the show to Hollywood brought both an unrealistic glamour and a dumbing-down of the program that he disdained. He also disliked the decision to not award losing contestants their cash earnings (believing the parting gifts offered instead were cheap) and expressed surprise that what he considered a parlor game had transformed into such a national phenomenon under Trebek. In television interviews, Fleming expressed similar sentiments while also noting that he approved of Trebek's approach to hosting, that Fleming and Trebek were personal friends and that, despite the modern show's flaws, it was still one of the best television shows.
Jeopardy!'s answer-and-question format has become widely entrenched: Fleming observed that other game shows had contestants phrasing their answers in question form, leading hosts to remind them that they are not competing on Jeopardy!
Tournaments and other events
Main article: List of Jeopardy! tournaments and eventsRegular events
Throughout all forms of the show, it has held an annual Tournament of Champions featuring the top champions who have appeared on the show since the last tournament. During Fleming's hosting run, tournament prizes were awarded in the same manner as regular play, with the only bonuses being a trophy or a non-cash prize; when the series returned in 1984, the top prize awarded to the winner was originally valued at $100,000, and increased to $250,000 in 2003. Other regular tournaments include the Teen Tournament, with a $100,000 top prize; the College Championship, in which undergraduate students from American colleges and universities compete for a $100,000 top prize; and the Teachers Tournament, where educators compete for a $100,000 top prize. Each tournament runs for ten consecutive episodes in a format devised by Trebek himself, consisting of five quarter-final games, three semi-finals, and a final consisting of two games with the scores totaled. Winners of the College Championship and Teachers Tournament are invited to participate in the Tournament of Champions.
Non-tournament events held regularly on the show include Celebrity Jeopardy!, in which celebrities and other notable individuals compete for charitable organizations of their choice, and Kids Week, a special competition for school-age children aged 10 through 12.
Special events
See also: Jeopardy! The Greatest of All TimeThree International Tournaments, held in 1996, 1997, and 2001, featured one-week competitions among champions from each of the international versions of Jeopardy! Each of the countries that aired their own version of the show in those years could nominate a contestant. The format was identical to the semi-finals and finals of other Jeopardy! tournaments. The top prize was $25,000 in 1996 and 1997, and $50,000 in 2001. The 1997 tournament was recorded in Stockholm on the set of the Swedish version of Jeopardy!―the first time a week of Jeopardy! episodes was taped in a foreign country― and its first episode was introduced by that version's then-host, Magnus Härenstam.
There have been several special tournaments featuring the greatest contestants in Jeopardy! history. The first was Super Jeopardy!, aired in 1990 on ABC, where 35 top contestants from the previous seasons of the Trebek version and one champion from the original Jeopardy! series competed for a top prize of $250,000. This was followed in later years by the Tenth Anniversary Tournament in 1993; the Million Dollar Masters tournament (taking place at Radio City Music Hall) in 2002; the 15-week Ultimate Tournament of Champions (featuring 145 former champions competing against each other, followed by a three-game final between two winners and Ken Jennings for $2,000,000) in 2005; and the 30th-anniversary Battle of the Decades tournament in 2014. In 2020, Jeopardy! returned to ABC primetime for the Greatest of All Time tournament where Jennings, Brad Rutter, and James Holzhauer competed in four two-game matches for a $1,000,000 prize, with Jennings as the victor.
The IBM Challenge aired in February 2011 and featured IBM's Watson computer facing off against Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter in a two-game match played over three shows. This was the first man-vs.-machine competition in Jeopardy!'s history. Watson won both the first game and the overall match to win the grand prize of $1 million, which IBM divided between two charities (World Vision International and World Community Grid). Jennings, who won $300,000 for second place, and Rutter, who won the $200,000 third-place prize, both pledged to donate half of their winnings to charity. The competition brought the show its highest ratings since the Ultimate Tournament of Champions.
In 2019, The All-Star Games had six teams with three former champions each. Each team member played one of the three rounds in each game played; Rutter, David Madden and Larissa Kelly won the tournament.
Record holders
Jeopardy!'s record for the longest winning streak is held by Ken Jennings, who competed on the show from June 2 through November 30, 2004, winning 74 matches before being defeated by Nancy Zerg in his 75th appearance. He amassed $2,522,700 over his 75 episodes, for an average of $33,636 per episode. At the time, he held the record as the highest money-winner ever on American game shows. His winning streak increased the show's ratings and popularity to the point where it became TV's highest-rated syndicated program and second highest-rated overall program, behind only CSI. In addition to these winnings on the daily Jeopardy! series, Jennings returned for a number of special tournaments, taking home the following: the second-place prize of $500,000 in the 2005 Ultimate Tournament of Champions, the $300,000-second-place prize in the 2011 IBM Challenge, the $123,600-second-place prize in the 2014 Battle of the Decades, a $100,000 prize (one-third of the $300,000-second-place prize to his three-player team) in the 2019 All-Star Games, and the $1,000,000 first-place prize in the 2020 Greatest of All Time tournament.
The record holder for lifetime Jeopardy!-related winnings is Brad Rutter, who has won nearly $5.2 million in cash and prizes across his original five episodes of the regular series and seven subsequent tournaments and events (five of which he won). Counting all prizes that Rutter has won, he has achieved a cumulative total of $5,129,036 in winnings, which included: the $55,102 prize over five regular episodes in 2000 (also including the value of two cars won, worth $45,000), the $100,000 first-place prize in the 2001 Tournament of Champions, the $1,000,000 first-place prize in 2002's Million Dollar Masters Tournament, the $2,000,000 first-place prize (plus $115,000 in preliminary rounds) in the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, the $200,000 third-place prize in the IBM Challenge, the $1,030,600 first-place prize in the Battle of the Decades, $333,334 (one-third of the $1,000,000 first-place prize, shared with his three-player team) in the All-Star Games, and a $250,000 prize in the Greatest of All Time tournament.
The holder of the all-time record for single-day winnings on Jeopardy! is James Holzhauer. Holzhauer first surpassed the record of $77,000, held since 2010 by Roger Craig, when he earned $110,914 on the episode that aired on April 9, 2019. Holzhauer pushed his own single-day record to $131,127 on the episode that aired April 17, 2019, by amassing $71,114 over the episode's first two rounds, then successfully wagering an additional $60,013 in Final Jeopardy! Holzhauer's total of 32 consecutive games won was second place of all time in regular game play at the time and remains fourth overall after Matt Amodio and Amy Schneider surpassed Holzhauer in 2021 and 2022, respectively. When he departed the show, he held the top 16 spots for highest single-day regular-game winnings and is the only player to win more than $100,000 in a single episode in regular play (achieved six times). On April 15, 2019, Holzhauer moved into second place for regular play winnings (behind Jennings) and third place for all Jeopardy!-related winnings (behind Rutter and Jennings). On April 23, 2019, Holzhauer joined Rutter and Jennings as the third Jeopardy!-made millionaire (Amodio eventually became the fourth). The next day, Holzhauer moved onto the top ten list for all-time American game show winnings at No. 10, joining Rutter (#1) and Jennings (#2) on that list. Holzhauer was defeated on the June 3, 2019, episode, finishing in second place. His winnings on Jeopardy! totaled $2,464,216, $58,484 behind Jennings' record. Including over $58,000 from a 2014 appearance on The Chase, with Holzhauer's $2.96 million from Jeopardy! (including his Tournament of Champions and The Greatest of All Time prizes), he is #3 on the list of all-time American game show winnings.
The record-holder among women on Jeopardy! for regular series winnings is Amy Schneider, with a total of $1,382,800 earned in 40 episodes between 2021 and 2022. Schneider is currently ranked second all-time in consecutive games won, behind only Jennings (74). Mattea Roach, whose winning streak earned $560,983 over 23 games in April and May 2022, has been the most successful Canadian contestant to have competed on the program, ranking fifth for consecutive games won and sixth for regular play Jeopardy! winnings.
The highest single-day winnings in a Celebrity Jeopardy! tournament was achieved by comedian Andy Richter during a first-round game of the 2009–10 "Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational", in which he finished with $68,000 for his selected charity, the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
Four contestants on the Trebek version share the record for winning a game with the lowest amount possible, at $1. The first was U.S. Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Darryl Scott, on the episode that aired January 19, 1993. The second was Benjamin Salisbury, on a Celebrity Jeopardy! episode that aired April 30, 1997. The third was Brandi Chastain, on the Celebrity Jeopardy! episode that aired February 9, 2001. The fourth was U.S. Navy Lieutenant Manny Abell, on the episode that aired October 17, 2017.
The record lowest Jeopardy! score was set in 1985 by Joan Kantor, a contestant from 1985, with a score of -$5,100 (net -$10,200 after the Season 18 rule change regarding clue values on November 26, 2001) during Season 1. During the interregnum, in a July 28, 2021 episode hosted by Levar Burton, Patrick Pierce finished with a total of -$7,400. The lowest score in the Jennings era is -$7,200, set by Erin Buker in 2024, and the fourth lowest was -$6,800, set by Stephanie Hull in 2015. Hull's episode was also notable for featuring a rare Final Jeopardy with one contestant.Jeopardy! writer Harry Eisenberg recalled an early season contestant who had persuaded the contestant coordinators to let him on the show despite their misgivings; he won -$3,400, the equivalent of -$6,800 today.
Record tables
Jeopardy! keeps track of four records: most consecutive games won, highest regular-season winnings, highest single-game winnings, and highest all-time winnings (including tournaments). The below tables are accurate as of July 14, 2024.
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Other media
Portrayals and parodies
Jeopardy! has been featured in numerous films, television shows, and books over the years, mostly with one or more characters participating as contestants, or viewing and interacting with the game show from their own homes. During Trebek's lifetime, several television series featured primary characters participating in fictionalized versions of the show, including Cheers (in the episode "What Is... Cliff Clavin?"), The Golden Girls, Mama's Family, Family Guy, and The Simpsons, among others. Wherever Trebek appeared on those fictionalized versions, he would always play himself or provide his own voice.
From 1996 to 2002, then on special occasions until 2015, Saturday Night Live featured a recurring Celebrity Jeopardy! sketch in which Trebek, portrayed by Will Ferrell, has to deal with the exasperating ineptitude of the show's celebrity guests and the constant taunts of antagonists Sean Connery (played by Darrell Hammond) and Burt Reynolds (Norm Macdonald). Beginning in 2014, SNL parodied Jeopardy! by way of another recurring sketch, Black Jeopardy!, in which the host and two of the three contestants are stereotypical black Americans, with the third contestant providing a contrast to the others, and the categories and clues likewise reflect black American culture.
The 1992 film White Men Can't Jump features a subplot in which the character Gloria Clemente (Rosie Perez) passes the auditions and competes on the program. In the David Foster Wallace short story "Little Expressionless Animals", first published in The Paris Review and later reprinted in Wallace's collection Girl with Curious Hair, a character competes and wins on 700 consecutive Jeopardy! programs in three years, and then uses her winnings to pay for the care of her brother, who has autism. American musician "Weird Al" Yankovic satirized the 1960s incarnation of the show with his 1984 single "I Lost on Jeopardy", a parody of Greg Kihn's 1983 hit song "Jeopardy". Released months before the Trebek version, the song's accompanying music video featured a re-creation of the set of the era, along with cameos from Fleming, Pardo and, at the end of the video, Kihn himself.
At the DEF CON hacker conference in Las Vegas, a variant called 'Hacker Jeopardy' has been organized. In 2004, it was won by Kevin Mitnick.
Merchandise
Main article: Jeopardy! (franchise)Over the years, the Jeopardy! brand has been licensed for various products. From 1964 through 1976, with one release in 1982, Milton Bradley issued annual board games based on the original Fleming version. The Trebek version has been adapted into board games released by Pressman Toy Corporation, Tyco Toys, and Parker Brothers. In addition, Jeopardy! has been adapted into a number of video games released on various consoles and handhelds spanning multiple hardware generations, starting with a Nintendo Entertainment System game released in 1987. The show has also been adapted for personal computers (starting in 1987 with Apple II, Commodore 64, and MS-DOS versions), Facebook, Twitter, Android, and the Roku Channel Store.
A DVD titled Jeopardy!: An Inside Look at America's Favorite Quiz Show, released by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment on November 8, 2005, features five curated episodes of the Trebek version (the 1984 premiere, Jennings' final game, and the three-game finals of the Ultimate Tournament of Champions) and three featurettes discussing the show's history and question selection process. Other products featuring the Jeopardy! brand include a collectible watch, a series of daily desktop calendars, and various slot machine games for casinos and the Internet.
On July 22, 2024, Jean Trebek and Ken Jennings officially unveiled an Alex Trebek stamp based on the show, officially licensed by the program.
Internet
Jeopardy!'s official website, active as early as 1998, receives over 400,000 monthly visitors. The website features videos, photographs, and other information related to each week's contestants, as well as mini-sites promoting remote tapings and special tournaments. The Jeopardy! website is regularly updated to align with producers' priorities for the show. In its 2012 "Readers Choice Awards", About.com praised the official Jeopardy! website for featuring "everything need to know about the show, as well as some fun interactive elements", and for having a humorous error page.
In November 2009, Jeopardy! launched a viewer loyalty program called the "Jeopardy! Premier Club", which allowed home viewers to identify Final Jeopardy! categories from episodes for a chance to earn points, and play a weekly Jeopardy! game featuring categories and clues from the previous week's episodes. Every three months, contestants were selected randomly to advance to one of three quarterly online tournaments; after these tournaments were played, the three highest-scoring contestants would play one final online tournament for the chance to win $5,000 and a trip to Los Angeles to attend a taping of Jeopardy! The Premier Club was discontinued by July 2011.
See also
Notes
- ^ As Sony Pictures Television Studios from 2020 to 2023
- This number has varied over the years, with writers ranging in number from five to ten and researchers from four to seven.
- The Millionaire franchise was purchased by SPT with its owners, 2waytraffic, in 2008. However, at the time of the purchase, the U.S. version was distributed by SPT's rival Disney-ABC Domestic Television.
- As CBS Television Distribution before 2021
References
Citations
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What bothers me is when contestants jump all over the board even after the Daily Doubles have been dealt with. Why are they doing that? They're doing themselves a disservice. When the show's writers construct categories they do it so that there's a flow in terms of difficulty, and if you jump to the bottom of the category you may get a clue that would be easier to understand if you'd begun at the top of the category and saw how the clues worked.
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Only minor adjustments were made to accommodate Eddie: He was given the category names printed in Braille on a card at the start of each round, and a keyboard to enter his Final Jeopardy! response. This was truly an historic event.
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In the event all three contestants have $0 (zero) or minus amounts at the end of Double Jeopardy!, no Final Jeopardy! round was played.
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- Dutta, Prajit K. (1999). Strategies and Games: Theory and Practice. MIT Press. ISBN 978-0-262-04169-0.
- Eisenberg, Harry (1993). Inside "Jeopardy!": What Really Goes On at TV's Top Quiz Show (first ed.). Salt Lake City, Utah: Northwest Publishing. ISBN 978-1-56901-177-5.
- Eisenberg, Harry (1995). Jeopardy!: A Revealing Look Inside TV's Top Quiz Show (first ed.). Hollywood, Florida: Frederick Fell Publishers, Inc. ISBN 978-0-81190-806-1.
- Fabe, Maxene (1979). TV Game Shows. Garden City, New York: Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-385-13052-3.
- Fleming, Art (1979). Art Fleming's TV Game Show Fact Book. Salt Lake City, Utah: Osmond Publishing Company. ISBN 978-0-89888-005-2.
- Griffin, Merv; Bender, David (2003). Merv: Making the Good Life Last. Simon & Schuster. ISBN 978-0-7434-5696-8.
- Harris, Bob (2006). Prisoner of Trebekistan: A Decade in Jeopardy!. Random House Digital. ISBN 978-0-307-33956-0.
- Jennings, Ken (2006). Brainiac: Adventures in the Curious, Competitive, Compulsive World of Trivia Buffs. Random House Digital. ISBN 978-1-4000-6445-8.
- McNear, Claire (2022). Answers in the Form of Questions: A Definitive History and Insider's Guide to Jeopardy!. New York: Twelve. ISBN 9781538702307. OCLC 1274200873.
- Mogel, Leonard (2004). This Business of Broadcasting: A Practical Guide to Jobs & Job Opportunities in the Broadcasting Industry. Leonard Mogel. ISBN 978-0-8230-7730-4.
- Newcomb, Horace (2004). Encyclopedia of Television (2nd ed.). CRC Press. pp. 1222–1224. ISBN 978-1-57958-411-5.
- Richmond, Ray (2004). This is Jeopardy!: Celebrating America's Favorite Quiz Show. Barnes & Noble Books. ISBN 978-0-7607-5374-3.
- Schwartz, David; Ryan, Steve; Wostbrock, Fred (1999). The Encyclopedia of TV Game $hows (3rd ed.). Checkmark Books. ISBN 978-0-8160-3846-6.
- Terrace, Vincent (1985). The Encyclopedia of Television: Series, Pilots, and Specials 1974–1984. VNR AG. ISBN 978-0-918432-61-2.
- Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 Through 2010. McFarland & Company. ISBN 978-0-7864-8641-0.
- Trebek, Alex; Barsocchini, Peter (1990). The Jeopardy! Book: The Answers, the Questions, the Facts, and the Stories of the Greatest Game Show in History. Harper Perennial. ISBN 978-0-06-096511-2.
- Young, Shaun P. (2013). Jeopardy! and Philosophy: What is Knowledge in the Form of a Question?. Popular Culture and philosophy. Vol. 72. Open Court Publishing. ISBN 978-0-8126-9804-6.
External links
Listen to this article (1 hour and 13 minutes) This audio file was created from a revision of this article dated 28 December 2021 (2021-12-28), and does not reflect subsequent edits.(Audio help · More spoken articles)- Official website
- Jeopardy! (original series) at IMDb
- Jeopardy! (1984–present series) at IMDb
- The All-New Jeopardy! at IMDb
- Jeopardy! at The Interviews: An Oral History of Television
- J! Archive, fan-maintained Jeopardy! archive site
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- 1960s American game shows
- 1964 American television series debuts
- 1970s American game shows
- 1975 American television series endings
- 1978 American television series debuts
- 1979 American television series endings
- 1980s American game shows
- 1984 American television series debuts
- 1990s American game shows
- 2000s American game shows
- 2010s American game shows
- 2020s American game shows
- American television series revived after cancellation
- Culver City, California
- Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show winners
- American English-language television shows
- First-run syndicated game shows
- Jeopardy!
- NBC game shows
- NBC original programming
- Peabody Award–winning television programs
- Sony mobile games
- Television series by CBS Studios
- Television series by Merv Griffin Enterprises
- Television series by Sony Pictures Television
- Television series created by Merv Griffin
- Television series by King World Productions
- Television shows adapted into video games
- Television productions suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic
- Television shows presented by Alex Trebek