6 ‘Jeopardy!’ Questions About TV Shows That Pop Culture Fans Can Answer
There are many television game shows in the world, but few are as popular and influential as Jeopardy!. Hosted for many years by the incomparable Alex Trebek, the show has provided the background for many a lazy afternoon at home. With the recent death of Trebek, fans are still grappling with how the show will proceed — and soothing their soul with some classic Jeopardy! clues from past episodes in the meantime.
When did ‘Jeopardy!’ debut on TV?
While many fans might know that Jeopardy! is a classic television show from way back, few likely realize just how old the show truly is. It first premiered on television in 1964, with a quiz competition format.
It was revamped in 1974, and then once again in 1984. The 1984 version of the show is the one that most fans identify with since it was the same year that Alex Trebek came on board as the host for the series.
Trebek brought the perfect blend of dignity and humor to his role as the host of Jeopardy! — and for many fans, still grieving his recent passing from cancer complications, there is no way that anyone could ever replace him. Trebek was at the forefront of many of the show’s biggest episodes, including a few that featured clues with a definite pop culture bent.
‘Jeopardy!’ questions about classic TV shows
In one 1995 episode, Trebek presented a clue by stating a simple phrase that included the keyword, “MTV cops.” Witty pop culture fans probably wouldn’t have to think too long about this clue and should be able to identify a groundbreaking eighties television show that starred popular actor Don Johnson — Miami Vice.
A Jeopardy! episode that aired in 1999 featured a clue that might have stumped fans who had never watched an episode of Happy Days. The clue, as read by Trebek, was “Jonathan Winters provided many mirthful moments as Mearth, the enormous child of this title couple.” Those who love seventies pop culture would likely be able to answer right away, correctly identifying the series as Mork & Mindy, a show that starred Robin Williams.
Another classic TV show that was included as a clue on Jeopardy! was an edgy sitcom that spawned several spinoffs. The clue referenced the show’s high ratings in the seventies, so it might have stumped fans for a minute — that is, until pop culture aficionados narrowed down the timeframe, and picked out the show as All in the Family.
Three ‘Jeopardy!’ questions about critically-acclaimed shows
More than once, Jeopardy! has featured clues shows that had received massive critical acclaim. A 2005 episode of the game show included the following clue: “A real “American Beauty,” Alan Ball created this drop-dead gorgeous HBO series.” Fans who answered “what is Six Feet Under” would have won the big prize, referencing a series that was a staple of early 2000s programming.
A 2013 episode of the game show included a clue that challenged participants to name a 1960s series that starred Carl Reiner. Naturally, the series in question was The Dick Van Dyke Show, a series that is still considered to be one of the best shows that has ever aired on TV.
Finally, pop culture fans would have a heyday with a question posed in a 1993 episode of Jeopardy! The episode featured a clue that mentioned Lara Flynn Boyle in the category of “TV Teens.” Viewers should be able to correctly identify Twin Peaks, a show that aired in 1990, helmed by the infamously controversial director David Lynch.
Certainly, Jeopardy! has been responsible for many talking points for viewers over the years — and has included a plethora of interesting pop culture references in the format of the show.
