A Game Show Debut 50 Years Ago Today? What is Jeopardy!?

Below left is a very rare photo of Jeapordy’s first birthday. Bringing the cake is creator Merv Griffin. On the left, announcer Don Pardo is shaking hands with host Art Fleming (who bears a striking resemblance to Hugh Downs). On the right, a shot of the game in play from the early 70s. I think the show started in 8G and later moved to 6A.

The original daytime version aired on NBC from March 30, 1964 to January 3, 1975, then spawned a weekly nighttime syndicated edition that aired from September 9, 1974 to September 5, 1975, and was later revived as ‘The All-New Jeopardy!’, which ran from October 2, 1978 to March 2, 1979. The program’s most successful incarnation is the daily syndicated version, which premiered on September 10, 1984.

Both NBC versions and the weekly syndicated version were hosted by Art Fleming. Don Pardo served as announcer until 1975, and John Harlan announced for the 1978–79 show. Since its inception, the daily syndicated version has featured Alex Trebek as host and Johnny Gilbert as announcer. Trebek is expected to retire from the program in 2016, at which point his tenure as host will have lasted for 32 years.

With close to 7,000 episodes aired, the daily syndicated version of Jeopardy! has won a record 30 Daytime Emmy Awards and a Peabody Award. Game Show Network (GSN) ranked the show number 2 on its 2006 list of the 50 greatest game shows, and TV Guide ranked it number 1 in its 2013 list of the 60 greatest game shows ever. The program has gained a worldwide following with regional adaptations in many foreign countries. The 30th season of the daily syndicated version of Jeopardy! premiered on September 16, 2013. Thanks to David Schwartz and Glenn Mack for the photos.

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