049 Jeopardy!: Daily Doubles and Sibling Rivalries

This week, we’re answering in the form of a question as we dive into the long-running phenomenon that is Jeopardy!. 

Inspired by our latest family viewing session (and one very smug Final Jeopardy victory), we talk about growing up with the show, watching it with Mom and Dad, and why it’s become such a nightly ritual for so many families. 

Along the way, we explore: 

•  How Merv Griffin and his wife came up with the idea for the show on an airplane 
•  The original 1964 version hosted by Art Fleming
•  The legendary reign of Alex Trebek
•  Why Ken Jennings ultimately became the perfect modern host 
•  Our thoughts on Mayim Bialik and the post-Trebek transition 
•  The iconic theme song “Think” and how it made Merv Griffin millions 
•  The Jeopardy! Clue Crew and why we miss them 
•  Weird game show history, including pull-card clue boards and three-way ties 
•  Our own high school Quiz Bowl glory days 
•  Family connections to actual Jeopardy! contestants 
•  Commodore 64 Jeopardy!, board games, pub trivia, and sibling competition 

We also talk about:
 

• Groundhog Day
• Saturday Night Live celebrity Jeopardy sketches 
• Weird Al Yankovic’s “I Lost on Jeopardy” 
•  Rock & Roll Jeopardy, Pop Culture Jeopardy, and other spin-offs 

Plus:
 Would we survive a pub trivia night together?
 Could either of us come up with 75 interesting facts about ourselves?
 And which sibling actually went to the better high school?