Jeopardy!

As a kid I watched Jeopardy in its first incarnation with Art Fleming, and it was always first on my list of game shows. It was disappointing to see it disappear, but exciting when it came back in 1984.

The 'new' Jeopardy was just as good as the first version, and Alex Tribek has always delivered a touch of class as the host. Somehow he manages to give the impression that he knows all this stuff, though of course that is patently impossible. Or maybe by this time he's seen all the material enough times that he DOES know it! LOL When it comes to the high concept game show, Jeopardy is pure. The only luck involved is how well a set of categories happens to match the individual knowledge of the contestants, and with 12 categories per game, that mostly averages out.

Measure your own success against the question at the BOTTOM of the board. If you can get 7 of those 12 questions and two thirds of the Final Jeopardies correct consistently, you should test to become a contestant.

It was sad to hear that Game Show TV veteran and number one (1) quizmaster Alex Trebek passed away today after announcing earlier this year that he was diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. True to form Alex jokingly said "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! For three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we'll win. We'll get it done."

Jeopardy is one of those unique TV quiz shows that the contestants did not have to dress up in silly costumes to compete, but rather accept the fact that they may be dressed down by a question that most of the TV audience knew was a part of history and/or celebrity nostalgia. Jeopardy seemed to reach higher than normal TV audiences when a game show contestant was on a seemingly unbeatable day to day win streak such as with the recent Jeopardy special series titled "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time" starring the top three past Jeopardy winners, Ken Jennings, Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer.

This series was watched by tens of millions of viewers decade after decade, and how many TV shows can state this record of longevity? I hope the producers entrust the continuation of Jeopardy! As a homage to the late great quizmaster Alex Trebek by replacing him with a worthy new host such as Ken Jennings maybe?

Trivia: Alex hosted an earlier quiz show in the 1960's targeted at high school aged students titled "Reach For the Top" which challenged two (2) high schools competing with a team of four (4) students per team and answering skilled questions under rapid fire, somewhat similar to the format of Jeopardy!

I give Jeopardy a 9 out of 10 but I rated it a 10 IMDB rating purely for the classy and loveable host Alex Trebek whose angels wings await him at heavens gates.

This will be remembered as one of the best game shows of all time, bar none. They have the perfect host in Alex Trebek. I love the gimmick of revealing the answer and having the contestants guess the question to go along with it. I wish they hadn't discontinued giving prizes to the runners-up though. Those were cool. I love seeing how many of the questions I can guess correctly when I watch it. Perhaps the most recent thing it will be remembered for was Ken Jennings's amazing run of 74 straight wins. That was incredible. Here's to Ken! I also love the final jeopardy theme song. I also tuned in almost every day to the Ultimate Tournament of Champions, which was a great idea. I actually remembered a few of the contestants on that. Hats off to a truly great game show! *** out of ****

I guess that the reason that "Jeopardy!" is so great is that it really challenges you to think, and I've learned so many interesting facts from it. I hope to be a contestant one day. Obviously, Ken Jennings's winning streak was beyond impressive, and the "Celebrity Jeopardy!" spoofs on "Saturday Night Live" are priceless. But it all dates back to this show's premise of forming the answer as a question. It must be really fun coming up with the answers.

I will say that the Clue Crew is unnecessary. But either way, I still say that this is the best game show ever. Alex Trebek is one heckuva host. There will never be another show like this.

So which category to take now?

I have been a jeopardy fan as long as I can remember, and think Ken Jennings is a great host. However, I absolutely will not watch episodes with Mayim Bialik, She is all about herself and her degree, not the contestants who make the show. She comes across as smug, conceited and self centered, know-it-all Makes me sad to miss episodes bit I can't watch her. My sisters agree.