Category: Jeopardy

Jeopardy! Streak Ends 19 Years Ago

by HB Auld, Jr.

Nineteen years ago today on November 30, 2004, the longest running streak in Jeopardy! history ended. Ken Jennings answered the Final Jeopardy! question incorrectly, ending his 74-game winning streak. During that streak, he amassed $2.5 million dollars in winnings.

Ken Jennings’ record streak ran from June 2 to November 30, 2004. He was defeated by Nancy Zerg who was then defeated the next day. In his 75th and final game, Ken answered “Fed-Ex” to Nancy’s correct answer of “H&R Block.”

Forty-nine year old Jennings ascended to Jeopardy! host duties after long-time host Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer November 8, 2020.

Jeopardy host Alex Trebek dies at 80

by HB Auld, Jr.

  • LOS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 12: TV host Alex Trebek (L) and Jean Currivan Trebek attend the celebratory dinner after the special tribute to Sophia Loren during the AFI FEST 2014 presented by Audi at Dolby Theatre on November 12, 2014 in Hollywood, California. on November 12, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Kovac/Getty Images for AFI)
  • Alex Trebek, circa 1984. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)

Beloved Jeopardy television program host Alex Trebek died this morning of pancreatic cancer at the age of 80.

Alex announced he suffered from Stage Four Pancreatic Cancer in March, 2019. He was surrounded by his wife, Jean, and his family when he died.

According to TMZ, Alex powered through for a full year — despite what he called “massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on” — because he said he realized giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, to God, and to other cancer patients.

God rest his soul and may he Rest In Peace.

Thank you, Alex, for more than 36 years of great Jeopardy programs, for your other entertainment programs before that one, and for showing us your dignity throughout your illness.