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A bunch of my friends have been hitting me up today about Alex Trebek, mainly because — fun fact — I was on @Jeopardy in my younger days.
So, seems like a good time to tell the story of how I got on the show, and why I love Alex so much.
So, seems like a good time to tell the story of how I got on the show, and why I love Alex so much.
As a kid, my parents made me earn my allowance by watching @Jeopardy.
For every $500 question I got right, for example, I’d get 50 cents. Or for every correct $1,000 Q, a dollar.
Looking back, it was a pretty genius way to teach a kid general knowledge/math. (Thanks, parents!)
For every $500 question I got right, for example, I’d get 50 cents. Or for every correct $1,000 Q, a dollar.
Looking back, it was a pretty genius way to teach a kid general knowledge/math. (Thanks, parents!)
Obviously, my parents’ idea made me want to learn everything, so I could make more money.
I started watching Jeopardy! religiously — and Alex Trebek, who seemed like just the smartest and coolest guy ever, quickly became one of my favorite people in the world.
I started watching Jeopardy! religiously — and Alex Trebek, who seemed like just the smartest and coolest guy ever, quickly became one of my favorite people in the world.
One day in 2000, a commercial came on during the show encouraging kids ages 10-12 to sign up online for the upcoming Jeopardy! “Back to School Week” — which, at least to me, sounded awesome.
There was probably no way I’d make it on the show, but couldn’t hurt to apply, right?
There was probably no way I’d make it on the show, but couldn’t hurt to apply, right?
Well, the good folks at Jeopardy! randomly picked my name, called me up to audition — and apparently I did pretty well.
Later that summer, they brought me out to California for this episode with @aedwardslevy and @flyingelevator, which was everything a kid could dream of.
Later that summer, they brought me out to California for this episode with @aedwardslevy and @flyingelevator, which was everything a kid could dream of.
As fun as the show was, though, I was so excited just to meet my idol — who was even cooler in person!
At some point, I’ll dig up the video, but I was SO nervous in the mid-show interview. The few seconds he asked about my favorite classes and hobbies felt like an eternity.
At some point, I’ll dig up the video, but I was SO nervous in the mid-show interview. The few seconds he asked about my favorite classes and hobbies felt like an eternity.
To this day, I also can’t get over how many smooth suits and shirts he had backstage.
The man wasn’t just smart and friendly. The brother was CLEAN.
More on this, courtesy of @VanityFair: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/12/alex-trebek-stylist-phil-wayne
The man wasn’t just smart and friendly. The brother was CLEAN.
More on this, courtesy of @VanityFair: https://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2015/12/alex-trebek-stylist-phil-wayne
Anyway, in 2008, Jeopardy! decided to have a reunion week for previous Kids Week contestants — and they asked if I’d be an alternate in case anyone had to drop out.
Wouldn’t be as fun as being a contestant, but I couldn’t turn down a trip to be out there in the audience!
Wouldn’t be as fun as being a contestant, but I couldn’t turn down a trip to be out there in the audience!
Well, turns out, someone had to drop out, and they called me up to be on the show!
Eight years had passed, but Alex was just as cool as I remembered. And I’ll never forget his hilarious Q&A with the audience during one of the commercial breaks:
Eight years had passed, but Alex was just as cool as I remembered. And I’ll never forget his hilarious Q&A with the audience during one of the commercial breaks:
During the audience Q&A, a lady decided to comment on the change in his facial hair:
“Alex, you were so handsome with your mustache. I’m mad you shaved it off!”
Alex’s response:
“I didn’t have a problem when you shaved your mustache.”
The audience erupted in laughter.
“Alex, you were so handsome with your mustache. I’m mad you shaved it off!”
Alex’s response:
“I didn’t have a problem when you shaved your mustache.”
The audience erupted in laughter.
I know I’m biased, but Alex Trebek was legit one of the coolest people we had, with (very fly) shoes that can’t be filled.
Glad we were able to have him as a part of our families for as long as we did.
Glad we were able to have him as a part of our families for as long as we did.
