Everything You Need to Know About 'Jeopardy!'

Answer: Now in syndication for 39 seasons, this show has a weekly audience of 27 million viewers, holds the Guinness World record for the most Emmy Awards won by a TV game show, is the the recipient of the prestigious Peabody Award and since 1984, contestants have won more than $100 million in prize money.

The question? What is Jeopardy!?

Jeopardy! is a syndicated daily half-hour quiz show with a unique answer-and-question format. Fan favorite Alex Trebek hosted the show for 37 seasons until his death in 2020. He had been battling Stage IV pancreatic cancer.

“This is an enormous loss for the Jeopardy! staff, crew and all of Alex’s millions of fans. He was a legend of the industry that we were all lucky to watch night after night for 37 years,” said Jeopardy! now-former executive producer Mike Richards in a statement released on the day of Trebek's death. “His belief in the importance of the show and his willingness to push himself to perform at the highest level was the most inspiring demonstration of courage I have ever seen. His constant desire to learn, his kindness, and his professionalism will be with all of us forever.”

Ken Jennings, a 74-time Jeopardy! champion, was chosen as the first of more than a dozen interim guest hosts. More than a year after Trebek's death Jennings and Mayim Bialik were named official hosts.

Related: How and When to Watch Alex Trebek’s Final Episode of Jeopardy in 2021

The current season of Jeopardy! began in September 2022. In fact, Jeopardy! was the first quiz show to come back on air after COVID-19. The set has been upgraded with a split-level stage that now allows for more space between the three contestant lecterns. Jeopardy! challenges contestants on their knowledge of a variety of subjects like history, the arts, literature, science and pop culture.

A global sensation, Jeopardy! has fans around the world. The Clue Crew has traveled to more than 350 cities on all seven continents and approximately 50 countries to record clues for the show. And talk about longevity! More than 400 game shows have come and gone since Jeopardy! premiered in syndication in 1984.

“I think what makes Jeopardy! special is that, among all the quiz and game shows out there, ours tends to encourage learning,” Trebek told the Associated Press after the show received the Peabody Award for excellence in 2011. “A lot of the stuff is trivia, but maybe a subject will come up that will arouse the viewers' curiosity and they'll want to find out more. We tell you it's OK to be bright, to know a lot of things, and to want to learn.”

Hungry to learn more about Jeopardy!? Here is what you need to know about the show and the 39th season.

How to get on Jeopardy!? 

The first step is to take the online Jeopardy! test with 50 clues from 50 categories. Participants have 15 seconds to respond to each clue. And you can only take the test once every 12 months. Those who pass the test and meet minimum eligibility requirements are placed into a pool from which randomly selected entrants are invited to an audition.

Assuming you perform well at the audition, you will be entered into the contestant pool and could be invited to compete up to 18 months from your audition date. However, making it to the audition doesn’t guarantee being invited to compete on the show. More information about becoming a contestant can be found here.

How do you play Jeopardy!?

Jeopardy! provides a test of knowledge across a variety of interesting subjects including literature, history, science, the arts and pop culture. Each game consists of three rounds.

The Jeopardy! Round includes six categories, each with a column of five clues. The “clues” are sorted by varying degrees of difficulty and are matched by increasing dollar values. Three competing contestants are given a “clue” in the form of an answer displayed on the show’s game board. Players use a hand-held signaling device and must be the first contestant to ring in and successfully give a response in the form of a question.

One “Daily Double,” (a special clue hidden behind another clue), is available during this round. Only the contestant who uncovers the “Daily Double” can respond to the clue. Before that clue is read, the contestant must declare a wager. The minimum wager is $5.

Double Jeopardy!: Similar to the first round, Double Jeopardy! features new categories and “clues” with doubled dollar amounts for each “clue.” Two “Daily Doubles” are available in the Double Jeopardy! round.

Final Jeopardy!: One category is revealed by host the host prior to the commercial break. The contestants write down a wager ranging between zero and up to their cash winnings accumulated at that point during the show. Once the final “clue” is revealed, players have 30 seconds to write a response in the traditional form of a question.

Each daily winner returns to the next day’s program as a defending champion. With no limit on appearances, returning champions may continue amassing winnings on Jeopardy! as long as they remain victorious.

What time is Jeopardy! on?

Jeopardy! is syndicated, which means the show is on at various times throughout the country. Check your local listings.

What network is Jeopardy! on?

Jeopardy! is syndicated, which means the show is on various stations throughout the country. Check local listings or use this page to learn where the show airs in your area.

Where is Jeopardy! filmed? 

The show is filmed at Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California.

How far in advance is Jeopardy! taped?

Jeopardy! is usually three months or so in advance. Tournaments often have a shorter lead time.

How long was Alex Trebek host of Jeopardy!?

Trebek hosted the show for 37 seasons. He had been with the show since its syndicated debut in 1984.

Related: Get Ready for Two Weeks of Alex Trebek's All-Time Favorite Jeopardy! Episodes

Who created Jeopardy!?

Merv Griffin created Jeopardy! in 1964.

Is the producer of Jeopardy! the same creator of Wheel of Fortune? 

Sony Pictures Television is the producer of both shows. And Merv Griffin created both shows.

Who won the most money on Jeopardy!?

Including tournaments, Brad Rutter has won the most money on Jeopardy! Rutter’s all-time winnings are $4,938,436. Ken Jennings comes in second with $4,370,700 in all-time winnings, followed by James Holzhauer who won $3,462,216.

How do you study for Jeopardy!?

There is no study guide for Jeopardy! According to the show, the best way to study is to regularly watch it.

How much did Ken Jennings win on Jeopardy!?

Ken Jennings won 74 regular season games and $2,520,700 in his initial run. Add in his tournament winnings and Ken has collected $4,370,700. Jennings also holds the record of the most consecutive games won and the highest regular season winnings.

Who beat Ken Jennings? 

Nancy Zerg. In 2004, Ken Jennings’ 74-game streak came to an end when Zerg correctly answered this clue: “Most of this firm's 70,000 seasonal, white-collar employees work only four months a year?” Zerg answered “H&R Block” while Jennings wrote “FedEx.” Moments later Alex Trebek declared to Berg, “Congratulations, you are indeed a giant killer.” The audience gave both contestants a standing ovation. “I could have thought about it all day and not come up with the right response,” said Jennings after on the show. “Still, it worked out OK for me in the end.”

When does the Jeopardy! season end?

Jeopardy! usually airs new episodes from September to July. Season 39 ends July 28, 2023.

Who won the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions?

Sam Kavanaugh won the most recent Tournament of Champions 37 in 2022. The native of Carlton, Minnesota won at grand total of $406,202.

Who beat James Holzhauer on Jeopardy!?

Emma Boettcher. James Holzhauer won 32 consecutive games until Boettcher, a librarian from Chicago beat him by about $22,000 during a question about Shakespearean literature in the Final Jeopardy! round.

Who was the first host of Jeopardy!?

Art Fleming hosted the network version of Jeopardy!, which is technically a different show than the syndicated version that airs now. Alex Trebek was the host of Jeopardy! from its debut in 1984 until his death in November 2020.

Next, 7 TV Shows Alex Trebek Hosted in Addition to Jeopardy!