For the past ten years, watching Jeopardy! has been required in my house. My wife has not missed an episode without a valid excuse for even longer than that. Both of us look forward to getting a bit smarter, being entertained, and enjoying the peace that comes when a friend visits.
With Alex Trebek’s passing, we have lost a friend. The nation has lost an educator and, perhaps most importantly, a role model. Trebek will be missed dearly.
Educator
There is no TV show that I can think of that celebrates general knowledge quite like Jeopardy! has with Trebek as the host. The diversity of subjects, ranging from pop culture (my weakest category) to history and science, tells us that all knowledge is good. A correct answer for a $1000 clue on reality TV gets you the same award as one on Wagner’s operas.
Perhaps more importantly, knowing the answers is equally celebrated, not only with money but with recognition. Frequently, Jeopardy! losers applaud the winners. As we watch from our sofa, we often comment ed about the brilliance of successful contestants.
Role Model
If you have watched Jeopardy! for any length of time, you will note that nobody is ever shamed or humiliated on the show. The categories of questions are such that a university…
