The "Don't Call Between 7:00 & 8:00 P.M. - Part II!" Story

It was an ordinary day.  Kind of day that after my evening meal I need to stretch our my legs and relax in my lounge chair.  Oh yeah...I also need to watch "Wheel of Fortune" and "Jeopardy" my two favorite evening quiz shows.  In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, that happens from 7:00 to 8:00 PM, Monday through Friday.  I do enjoy trying to outwit the contestants on "Wheel of Fortune" and guessing the puzzles before they can, but I must admit that I also enjoy doing battle with the contestants on "Jeopardy."  

Brad Rutter when he won the Battle of the Decades.

You may remember that the all-time record for most consecutive wins was Ken Jennings with 74, but that's because when Brad Rutter was a contestant, there was a limit on how many games you could win before you were considered a retired champion.  Actually, Brad Rutter holds the record for most cash won on the show with a mind-boggling $3,455,102.  This is the same Brad Rutter that I once had as a student at Manheim Township High School.  

A few years ago Brad visited the Manheim Township Public
Library to compete against the High School "Quiz Bowl" team.

Actually took his photo as a member of the "Quiz Bowl" a few years for the school yearbook.  The same Brad Rutter that really didn't apply himself in high school as he should have and ended up dropping out of Johns Hopkins University and working at a record store in Lancaster before making it big on "Jeopardy."  After his record breaking streak on the show he constantly made donations to his high school in honor of his high school "Quiz Bowl" coach and my friend Anne Clouser.  He still donates to our township public library and makes appearances at the library for Quiz Bowl Challenges.  But, the main reason I enjoy the show is the challenge it presents every evening.  The original daytime version began on March 30, 1964 on NBC with Art Fleming as the host and Don Pardo as the announcer.  When the show became syndicated and moved to evening TV it was hosted by Alex Trebek with Johnny Gilbert as announcer.  

Alex Trebek on the set of "Jeopardy."

The show has now won 33 Daytime Emmy Awards and the only post-1960 game show to be honored with the Peabody Award.  The worldwide show has now aired over 7,000 episodes.  A few bits of information you may find interesting are:  (1) Alex Trebek's real name is Giorgi Suka-Alex Trebek.  His mother is French-Canadian and his father is Ukranian,  (2) In his spare time he raises thoroughbred racehorses on his 700-acre ranch,  (3) About 25 million of us watch the show every week, (4) As soon as Alex has finished reading the answer, an employee flips a switch that allows the contestants to buzz in...they are called "the button enabler" and contestants can't buzz in until the switch is thrown, (5) Alex changes his suit five times a day, since he films five episodes daily and feels he should wear a fresh suit for each episode, (6) The theme song, "Think" was written by Merv Griffin as a lullaby for his grandson, (7) Only .04% of people who apply for the show ever make it onto TV (that explains why you have never seen LDub win on Jeopardy), (8) Alex actually watches every single episode of the show, since he loves to see himself on TV, (9) If you would ever have the chance to appear on the show, you are not allowed to ever appear on "Wheel Of Foutune", (10)  There is a team of 9 writers and 5 researchers who come up with all the questions, (11) And finally, Alex says he could kick the crap out of any player that ever was on the show.  So, how can you get on the show?  You can call the show's office in New York for an appointment and to determine eligibility.  Auditions consist of 10-30 individuals where you take a written test and mock games.  If they like you they will call you within 6 weeks.  There is also a Winnebago RV that travels around the USA and Canada where you can also tryout for the show.  As for me, I once saw the Winnebago RV with "Wheel of Fortune" on the side and drove right past it, since I knew I could never be on "Jeopardyn" had I made it on "The Wheel".  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.