Alex Trebek been a household name since 1984. The iconic TV personality has hosted Jeopardy! for nearly four decades, but there's more to him than what meets the eye. From breeding horses to chasing burglars, Alex Trebek is one of a kind, and these are the facts to prove it.
He Almost Became a Priest
When Alex Trebek was in his youth, he very nearly embarked on a different career path. Trebek, intrigued by religion, considered entering the clergy. However, he soon abandoned his ideas of priesthood after spending the summer in a Trappist Monastery.
"I took a vow not only of poverty but of silence," he told The New York Times. "And I'm not one to keep my big mouth shut. I enjoy talking."
He Bought a House Just to Use the Tennis Courts
What happens when you want to play tennis, but you can't bear the thought of slumming it on the public tennis courts with all those plebeians? Why, you purchase your own, of course. In the 1990s, Trebek bought an entire property just to use the tennis courts.
Trebek rented out the house to actor Pete Ross and his wife Carol, but apparently he wasn't exactly a top-notch landlord. The Rosses called him the day after they moved in—apparently, the place had serious plumbing and electrical issues.
He's Suffered Two Heart Attacks
In December 2007, at the age of 67, Trebek suffered an unfortunate health scare. The heart attack was mild enough that it didn't hinder him from returning back to work the next month. Unfortunately, Trebek experienced another heart attack in June 2012, but he was once again able to resume filming the following month.
A studio representative soothed concerned fans, confirming to The Washington Post, "He is in good health and already planning home improvement projects."
He's Only Been a U.S. Citizen Since 1998
Even though Trebek moved to the country in 1973, the Canadian native only became a naturalized citizen just over two decades ago. Trebek was sworn in as a citizen of the United States in 1998—but it wasn't long until he got to bask in the true glory of naturalization.
"A couple of weeks after being sworn in, I received a lovely letter from the Los Angeles Superior Court informing me that I had just been selected at random from two and a half million people to serve jury duty," he shared at the National Press Club luncheon.
He Earned National Attention for His Facial Hair
After thirty mustachioed years, Trebek stunned viewers by appearing clean-shaven during Jeopardy!'s 18th season in 2001. During the April Fools edition of the show, Trebek donned a fake handlebar mustache for a laugh—but he actually grew it back several years later in 2014. Then, he shaved it off again.
By 2018, Trebek's frequent facial hair adjustments had made national media headlines. In the first episode of Jeopardy from that year, he was sporting a full beard; the next, a goatee; by the third episode, Trebek had reduced it back to a mustache. What's next? Muttonchops?
"And it got so much press, I couldn’t believe it," Trebek said of the debacle. "The wars with Iraq or whatever at that time and people are all in a stew over my mustache. I have one response: Get a life.”
He Holds a Guinness World Record
On June 13, 2014, Alex Trebek became the proud holder of a Guinness World Record. Trebek had officially earned the title in the category of "the most game-show episodes hosted by the same presenter (same program)." At the time of the award, he had hosted 6,829 episodes of Jeopardy!, obliterating Bob Barker's record for The Price Is Right.
"The good news is that as long as I keep hosting the program I stay ahead of whoever is in second place, and that makes me feel good," Trebek joked with the audience.
He's Been Married Twice
Trebek tied the knot with his first wife, Elaine Callei, back in 1974, one year after he moved to the States. The couple tried to reconcile their differences, but the marriage came to an end seven years later in 1981. In 1990, Trebek met Jean Currivan, a 26-year-old real estate project manager, at a party.
Currivan was starstruck: "[I was] really nervous. I was afraid I'd mispronounce my own name!” she said to People Magazine. "But Alex is really down to earth. He's much more casual than he is on the show."
Currivan, who is 24 years Trebek's junior, is the mother of their two children, Matthew and Emily.
He's in the Broadcasting Hall of Fame
In 2018, Trebek was inducted into the National Association of Broadcasters Broadcasting Hall of Fame in Las Vegas. The honor is extended on an annual basis to one radio candidate and one television candidate, respectively. Elvis Duran served as Trebek's radio counterpart at the ceremony. Former inductees include Lucille Ball, Jerry Lewis, Carol Burnett, and Bob Newhart.
He's Already Gunning for the Next Jeopardy Host
In 2018, it was revealed to TMZ's Harvey Levin that Trebek already had some thoughts regarding the heir to the Jeopardy! throne. Trebek, whose contract ends in 2020, told Levin that he was considering two successors: Alex Faust, the announcer for the Long Angeles Kings hockey team, and Laura Coates, an attorney who regularly appears on cable news segments.
Both candidates were thrilled to be up for consideration. "I'm flattered by Mr. Trebek's kind words," said Faust. Coates said that she felt "incredibly honored & humbled" on Twitter.
He Used to Breed Horses for Recreation
Trebek's equine affection is no secret. In 1996, Trebek acquired a 700-acre horse farm called Creston Farms, stating that he was overcome "by the beauty of the place." While managing the horse ranch, Trebek produced a number of championship-winning racehorses, including his own colt, Reba's Colt. Trebek sold the property in 2008. It is now used as an event center.
He's Received a Number of Emmy Awards
Trebek has won a grand total of six Emmy Awards over the past three decades in the category of Outstanding Game Show Host. He took home his first Emmy in 1989 followed by a second the following year. After this, Trebek received Emmy Awards in 2003, 2006, 2008, and 2019. In 2011, Trebek lost out on the Outstanding Gameshow Host Award, but he received the Lifetime Achievement Award in its stead.
He Survived a Near-Death Experience
Trebek nearly met his maker in 2004. While driving back to his family home in Lake Nacimiento, Trebek fell asleep behind the hweel of his pick-up truck. According to reports, Trebek's vehicle plummeted 45 feet over an embankment and hit a utility pole, landing in a ditch. Fortunately, Trebek managed to walk away from the accident without serious injuries.
"I am very lucky and thankful that no one was badly hurt," he said. "My back hurts a little, but I plan to be in the studio this Tuesday for our regular tapings."
He's Made Appearances on Over 70 Movies and TV Shows
While Trebek's run on Jeopardy! has smashed records left and right, that's not the only program on which Trebek has appeared. In most of Trebek's cameos, he plays himself, such as in White Men Can't Jump (1992), Short Cuts (2000), and Charlie's Angels (2000). However, Trebek has performed as the occasional characgter here and there—the Man in Black in The X-Files (1996), Alex Lebek in Arthur (2000), and as the announcer on the 1996 animated children's show The Magic School Bus.
He Messed up a Pennsylvania Debate... Like, Really Badly
Trebek became the subject of heavy critique in 2018 after moderating a debate in the Pennsylvania governor's race. Instead of allowing the candidates to debate the subjects at hand, Trebek dominated the event, speaking for almost half the allocated time. His remarks also included a few controversial comments about sex abuse scandals within the Catholic Church.
Trebek's "conversational" hosting style went over so badly that he publicly apologized for his mishandling of the debate, offering his "sincere apologies to the people of Pennsylvania, a state [he] dearly [loves]."
His Philanthropy Has Been Globally Recognized
Over the years, Trebek has been connected to several philanthropic causes—most notably World Vision, for whom he serves as a spokesperson. Trebek has funded a medical clinic, a school, eight wells, and several other essential facilities in a Zambian village. He also supports WonderWork, a foundation that provides surgeries for impoverished children in developing countries who would otherwise never receive them.
There's a Hall at the University of Ottawa Named After Him
Trebek graduated from the University of Ottawa with a Philosophy degree in 1961. 54 years later, he was given the star treatment by his alma mater—they named an alumni hall in his honor. The naming ceremony took place at the university, during which Trebek discussed his affinity for both the school and the city itself.
Trebek told the Ottawa Citizen that despite having lived in the U.S. for so many years, his "fondest memories have always been in Ottawa."
He's an Appointed Officer of the Order of Canada
In June 2017, Governor General David Johnston named Trebek an Officer of the Order of Canada. Trebek received the title in recognition of his "iconic achievements in television and for his promotion of learning, notably as a champion for geographical literacy." He was one of 19 others appointed to othe level of Officer.
"Alex has done so much for geographic literacy over the course of his career," said RCGS CEO John Geiger. "He has helped to inspire many thousands of young people to learn more about our country and our planet. He represents the very best of us with a deep love of country, but also a global outlook and sense of humanitarianism. We are all very proud that he has been recognized in this way."
He Has a Star on the Canadian Walk of Fame
Trebek's contribution to the entertainment industry has gone far from unnoticed. Trebek was presented with a star on Canada's Walk of Fame in March 2006, effectively naming him the second game show host in history to have received the award. The first was Monty Hall from Let's Make A Deal, and the next was Deal or No Deal's Howie Mandel.
He Has a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Too
Long before Trebek was awarded a star on the Canada Walk of Fame in 2006, he was honored for his achievements in his home away from home. In 1999, Trebek received his very own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. If you're in the City of Angels, don't forget to stop and visit 6501 Hollywood Boulevard—his star is located right between Ann Margaret and Vincent Price.
He Doesn't Fear His Cancer Diagnosis
Trebek has been undergoing chemotherapy is an attempt to battle his pancreatic cancer. Although he was "near remission" at one point, the cancer returned—but Trebek isn't giving up.
"We may try a new protocol, a different chemo or something in the trial stage that is not chemotherapy," he said, adding, "I don't mind experimenting. I've got nothing to lose, so let's go for it."
No matter what happens, Trebek has made it clear that he's not afraid of what the future may hold.
"I have learned something in the past year and it's this: We don't know when we're going to die," he said. "Because of the cancer diagnosis, it's no longer an open-ended life, it's a closed-ended life because of the terrible survival rates of pancreatic cancer. Because of that, and something else that is operating here, people all over America and abroad have decided they want to let me know now, while I'm alive, about the impact that I've been having on their existence."
He Makes a Pretty Penny
If you've ever wondered just how much Alex Trebek takes home for his work on Jeopardy!, the answer is... well, a lot. Jeopardy! is easily the most popular gameshow in history, and Trebek has manned the helm every step of the way. Despite his dedication to the program, Trebek's salary might make you weak in the knees. Get ready.
Trebek takes home $10 million dollars per week. He only works two days per week, meaning that he makes $5 million per episode.
He Does Not Eat a Balanced Breakfast
Nowadays, everyone is a proponent of healthy eating—food is fuel, blah, blah, blah. Well, one silver-haired Jeopardy! host disagrees. Even though Trebek might seem fit as a fiddle on the outside, he admitted that his breakfast used to be comprised of Diet Pepsi and a Snickers bar. When a nutritionist advised he alter his diet, he exchanged the Snickers for a Milky Way. Compromise, it seems, is not about losing.
He Owns Over 100 Suits
It's rare to see Alex Trebek without his signature look: a crisp new suit. Trebek certainly knows a thing or two about the garment, considering he's been wearing them twice a week for over three decades. Trebek himself admitted that he owns at least 100 suits. It's ostensible that his closet is probably the size of a studio apartment.
He Bought a Whole Mountain Just to Build a House on It
If you're making $10 million per week, you can afford anything your heart desires—and that includes a mountain. Trebek paid $1.5 million for just over 35 acres of land north of the Sunset Strip, chopping off the top of a mountain in order to build the sweet pad pictured above.
He Owned a Winery
If you ever had a taste of Creston Wine before the year 2002, you can thank Alex Trebek. Back in 1986, Trebek invested in a California winery called Creston Wines. Unfortunately, a virus destroyed all of the vineyard's grapes, forcing it to go out of business—but Trebek was the man behind the bottle for nearly two decades.
He Was a Host Long Before Jeopardy!
When it comes to hosting game shows, Alex Trebek has certainly been around the block a few times. It turns out that Trebek's calling has been apparent since the very beginning. His hosting career began in 1963 with the Canadian game show Music Hop. From that moment on, Trebek was destined for greatness.
He Chased Down a Thief Who Was Trying to Burgle Him
Talk about an adrenaline rush. Trebek was staying at a hotel in San Francisco when he woke to find a woman rummaging through his personal belongings. Trebek said that he donned a pair of underpants and chased her down the hall, injuring his Achilles tendon in the process. The thief was eventually caught, and everyone learned one very important fact: Alex Trebek sleeps naked.
He Almost Hosted the Show Pantsless
If nothing else, Alex Trebek is a man of his word. When three Jeopardy! contestants planned to do the show without pants as a stress-relieving prank, Trebek was totally on board. However, producers failed to mention that the contestants chickened out at the last minute—and Trebek waltzed out onstage missing half of his ensemble.
For Alex Trebek, It's Always 5 O'Clock Somewhere
Alex Trebek has never been afraid of a drink. In a 2014 New Republic profile, Trebek described his exercise routine: "I drink."
"If I could learn to stop drinking the morning of taping, that would help a lot," Trebek said. "But you see, um, I have trouble sleeping. Yesterday, for instance, I woke up at two o’clock and was awake until 5:15 and then my alarm went off at 5:25. Today I woke up at 3:00 and was awake until 5:20. I'm of the old school, which says, 'It's five o'clock somewhere, so why not now?"
He Wishes He Met His Wife Sooner
In light of his recent health issues, Alex Trebek has become more forthcoming about his personal life. Upon reflection, Trebek admits he only has one wish concerning his diagnosis: he regrets not having met his wife, Jean, earlier in life, so the two could have spent more time together.
He Has an Interesting Method for Staying Motivated
Long before he became the face of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek worked on a number of Canadian game shows, none of which really took off. One of the shows Trebek hosted was called Pitfall, in which contestants attempted to cross an eight-section bridge in 100 seconds by correctly answering trivia questions. Pitfall's studio, Catalena Productions, went bankrupt only a year after he was hired. The check Trebek received from the studio for $49,200 bounced.
"It came at a bad time because my father had died and I was in bad, bad straits and could have used the money," Trebek said. Even after his tremendous success, Trebek keeps the $49,200 check framed on his wall to remind him where he came from. To this day, he's never seen a time of the money owed to him.
He Was the First to Make Jeopardy! an Accessible Gameshow
In 1999, Eddie Timanus became the first blind contestant on Jeopardy! Trebek wanted to make sure Timanus received appropriate accommodations to give him a fair chance at winning against his opponents. Timanus quickly became one of the most popular contestants on the game show, winning five times over. Trebek was honored by the American Foundation for the Blind for his contribution to the community.
His First Name Isn't Alex
It's not an uncommon practice for celebrities to change their name or go by a stage name. Trebek decided to start going by his middle name, Alex, as a fledgling journalist. His full birth name is actually Giorgi-Suka Alex Trebek, or George Alex Trebek.
He Watches His Own Show
Many actors and actresses have confessed that they can't bear to watch their own movies or TV shows after production—including Angelina Jolie, Harrison Ford, Megan Fox, and Nicole Kidman, to name a few. Trebek, however, is one of the few Hollywood legends who regularly views his own show. It's nothing to do with his ego. Trebek simply enjoys the competition and learning trivia facts.
He's Fluent in More Than One Language
It's no secret that Trebek is a Canadian native, but you might not have known that the game show host was raised in a bilingual home. Trebek grew up speaking both English and French fluently; he was raised in Ontario by his Ukrainian father and French-Canadian mother.
He Helped Get Jeopardy! off the Ground
Clearly, Trebek's stellar hosting talents have made Jeopardy! into the empire it is today, but he also helped produce the show its early years. Trebek played a significant part in Jeopardy!'s design, serving as a producer for its first three years on the air. He would have continued with the role had he not wished to pursue multiple hosting gigs on the side.
His Ticket to Stardom Was Wheel of Fortune
There's no doubt that Alex Trebek rose to fame through the vehicle of Jeopardy! However, he didn't start off on the show. When Wheel of Fortune host Chuck Woollery fell ill for the day, Trebek was met with a stroke of luck—he volunteered as a stand-in. The program went so swimmingly that Jeopardy! producers asked Trebek to come on their program full-time.
He Carried the Olympic Torch
In 1996, Trebek was afforded the honor of carrying the Olympic torch. He ran with the torch in Jacksonville, Florida until it was received in Atlanta, Georgia. The torch travels through nearly three dozen countries until it reaches the competition.
He Hosted Children's Shows, Too
Jeopardy! maybe Trebek's claim to fame, but it's not the only show he's hosted long-term. Trebek served as the moderator for the National Geographic Bee for twenty-five years until 2013. The self-proclaimed "geography lover" helped make the Bee what it is today—a nationally broadcast competition that inspires kids across the globe to learn about the world around them.
He's Quite the Picky Eater
Trebek is no stranger to the finer things in life: wine, horseracing, philanthropy, mountainside abodes. However, the one thing Trebek doesn't seem too interested in? Food.
Trebek's son Matt, self-proclaimed foodie and co-owner of Harlem's trendy restaurant Oso, told Fordham magazine that his father couldn't be less adventurous when it came to mealtime. According to Matt, Trebek would be "fine eating chicken, white rice, and broccoli for the rest of his life."
He and Stephen Colbert Have Some Friendly Rivalry
There's nothing wrong with a little friendly competition. Late Show host Stephen Colbert challenged Trebek to a trivia match after noticing a similar trend with their facial hair. Colbert claimed that Trebek was "copying" his look. The stakes were high—whoever lost would have to shave off their beard. Funnily enough, both hosts went beardless not long after Colbert issued the challenge.
He Has a Spot-On Impersonator
Since becoming a household name, Trebek has had plenty of celebrity impersonators, the most famous of which being Will Ferrell on Saturday Night Live. Ferrell has hosted several fake episodes of Jeopardy! with contestants like Sean Connery (Darrell Hammond) and Björk (Winona Ryder). Word on the street is that Trebek prefers Eugene Levy's impersonation to Ferrell's.
He Doesn't Mind Bantering With the Jeopardy! Audience
After hosting thousands of episodes, it's nice to know that Trebek hasn't gotten bored of chatting with the crowd. He knows that there are many unanswered questions about his personal life—usually less probing than the media poses. They sometimes ask him about what he ate for dinner the previous night.
"They just want to know if I am in reality the way I am on television. Is he a nice guy or not? Is he aloof or not?" Trebek said.
He Knows How to Give a Christmas Gift
Trebek knows how to get into the holiday spirit. As a Christmas gift for the crew of Jeopardy!, Santa Trebek took the whole team indoor skydiving. He also once hired a dance instructor who taught everyone how to moonwalk. Sadly, Trebek took a seat after his first few attempts.
He Was Offered His First Job in America by Robin Thicke's Father
If you're on the younger side, you might only recognize the surname "Thicke" when it's attached to Robin, the famously divorced musician who earned a spot in the limelight after starring in a particularly raunchy music video for his song "Blurred Lines." Robin's father Alan is perhaps better known as the father of Mike Seaver on Growing Pains. In the 1970s, Thicke was a producer on the game show Wizard of Odds and recommended Trebek for his first American hosting gig.
He and Pat Sajak Played a Pretty Funny April Fool's Joke
On April Fool's Day in 1997, Trebek and Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak traded places. Sajak hosted Jeopardy! instead of Trebek, and Trebek co-hosted Wheel of Fortune with Sajak's wife Lesly. Despite their on-screen antics, the men don't share much camaraderie. Sajak said of Trebek, "We get along fine but we're not in the same bowling league."
He Was a Philosophy Major for One Specific Reason
For a guy who loves knowledge, it's unsurprising that Trebek majored in Philosophy during his time at the University of Ottawa—but he didn't do it for the reason you may think. Apparently, Trebek studied philosophy simply because courses were held in the morning, allowing him to work during the evening so he could pay his tuition.
He's a Polyglot
It's already been mentioned that Trebek can speak French and English fluently, but the list of languages in which he can converse doesn't end there. Including English and French, Trebek can speak over 17 languages. He admits he's no master: "I can get by in Spanish, Italian, Russian, and Swahili," he said, "but don't expect much in Hawaiian and Welsh.
He Made Broadcast History for This Unique Accomplishment
In 1991, Trebek became the first person to host three American game shows simultaneously. He earned the distinction after taking over for Lynn Swann on NBC's To Tell the Truth while hosting both Classic Concentration and Jeopardy!
He Gave up Hockey After Shaving His Mustache
Yes, you read that correctly. It may just be a bizarre coincidence, but apparently the Jeopardy! host has gone on record stating that he gave up playing hockey, his favorite sport, after shaving off his mustache. There doesn't seem to be any direct correlation between facial hair and team sports, but he has yet to return to the rink post-'stache.
He's Not Actually Writing Anything Down on Jeopardy!
Although it may seem like Trebek is jotting down some notes after reading each clue aloud to the contestant, he's actually just crossing off the clues to keep himself from accidentally re-reading them on air. The method seems to be working, considering he's done it thousands upon thousands of times. Smart move.
He Changes His Outfit Five Times a Day
Trebek's two-day schedule may seem like a sweet deal (and it is), but the job isn't easy. Jeopardy! films a week's worth of episodes in one day, meaning that Trebek has to change suits between every episode to establish the illusion that time has passed. Like they say, clothes maketh the man.
The Jeopardy! Theme Song Is a Lullaby
If the Jeopardy! intro puts you to sleep, now you know why. Showrunner Merv Griffin actually wrote the theme song "Think!" as a lullaby for his son. The son's original title was "A Time for Tony." He estimates that the song earned him over $100 million in royalties throughout the show's duration even though it only "took 30 seconds to write."
You Might Be Surprised by Who Came up With the Show
While on a flight from Michigan to New York in 1963, Merv Griffin's wife, Julann Wright, came up with the idea for the show. Griffin pitched the concept to NBC executives and they instantly purchased Jeopardy! without even seeing a pilot. Obviously, they made the right choice.
Jeopardy! Used to Have Loud Buzzers
Until 1985, contestants on Jeopardy! slammed down on a noisy buzzer when they knew the answer to a question. What is "annoying" for $500? The showrunners ended up silencing the buzzers—not only did they distract the audience, but the sound often cut off Trebek mid-question.
The Application Process Isn't Easy
Every year, over 100,000 people take an online quest seeing whether they qualify for Jeopardy! The producers are then tasked with narrowing down the pool to 3,000 applications, who are selected to individually audition. After a one-on-one interview, potential candidates are subject to a written quiz of 50 questions and a live round of Jeopardy! with actual buzzers. Only then do the producers select 400 people to appear on that season of the show. Despite the exhausting process, it's all worth it in the end.
Runnerup Contestants Used to Receive Consolation Prizes
Before the year 2002, second- and third-place winners were given consolation prizes instead of cash earnings to keep yearly production costs as low as possible. These prizes ranged from vacation packages to merchandise donated for promotional consideration.
The Jeopardy! Clue Crew Has Been Around the World
What's the Jeopardy! Clue Crew, you ask? This team of traveling reporters scours the globe in order to create video clues for the game show. Since 2001, the Crew has consisted of Sarah Whitcomb Foss and Jimmy McGuire, who have recorded clues on each of the seven continents. They have traveled to over 300 cities, 46 countries, and all 50 states.
Masters of the Game
Ken Jennings currently holds the record for the most wins ever on Jeopardy!—74 times in a row. Despite the sheer number of occasions on which Jennings walked away from the show with a winning hand, his monetary earnings didn't hold a candle to those of Brad Rutter. Rutter holds the record for the most cash won by a single player on the show: $4,688,436.
Forrest Bouncing
The technique of rapidly shifting between Jeopardy! categories is called "Forrest Bouncing." The term was labeled on behalf of Chuck Forrest, winner of the 1986 Tournament of Champions and noted category-jumper. This methodology is frowned upon by Jeopardy! staff because it complicates production and confuses the audience, but it's technically legal for contestants to employ, if somewhat unorthodox.
The Only Three-Way Tie in History
Throughout Jeopardy! history, there has only been one three-way tie. On March 16, 2007, all three Jeopardy! contestants answered the Final Jeopardy question correctly, successfully rounding out the game with identical scores of $16,000. All three contestants were welcomed back to play again.
The Easiest Job in the World
Looking for a new career path? If so, you might want to consider becoming a "button enabler" on Jeopardy! This crew member has one job: they have to flip the switch allowing contestants to buzz in their questions after Trebek is done reading the answer. Only once contestants see the indicator light may they hit the buzzer. In all likelihood, the job probably isn't as simple as it looks.
There's a Limit to the Most You Can Win in an Episode
Although no contestant has ever been able to achieve this, the maximum winnable sum per game is $566,400. A contestant would have to sweep both boards, find all three Daily Doubles (in the top tier and then at the end of every round), make them true Daily Doubles, and then wager all of their money in Final Jeopardy. Is it possible? Maybe, but the most a contestant has ever won in a single game is $131,127 on April 17, 2019 by James Holzhauer.
How Are the Questions Written?
Every episode of Jeopardy! is meticulously crafted by a team of eight writers and seven researchers. First, the writers come up with a category. They come up with several clues, selecting the best ones based on how recently a question has been asked about a specific topic. Once the questions have been written and chosen, the researchers go through and fact check each one. Final Jeopardy questions are written individually, but there's a critical stipulation: at least one of the writers must be able to answer the question.
Contestants Usually Walk Away With a Fat Stack of Cash
Jeopardy! has, since its inception in 1984, given away millions and millions of dollars. Although second- and third-place winners leave the show with $2,000 and $1,000 respectively, the average amount of money earned by first-place winners on Jeopardy! is $40,467.40. Not too shabby.
There Are Strict Rules for Contestants
If you want to go on Jeopardy!, make sure you haven't made a recent appearance on any similar programs, or you'll be denied. People who have participated in any nationally broadcast game show of any format within the past year are ineligible for Jeopardy! The same goes for anyone who might have appeared on three game shows within the last decade or any former Wheel of Fortune contestants.
No, Their Handwriting Isn't Really That Bad
It may seem like half of the people who compete on Jeopardy! have the penmanship of a first-grader, but there's a reason why. According to former competitors, the screen on which one is supposed to write answers is very, very tiny, while the stylus is described as enormous—like "using an icicle to write on a tiny picture frame."