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"Jeopardy!": The First Episode Quiz

The Alex Trebek-hosted incarnation of "Jeopardy!" debuted in syndication on September 10, 1984. The first episode started the revival of one of the most successful quiz programs in television history.

A multiple-choice quiz by cag1970. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
cag1970

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
313,992

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
4 / 10

Plays
780

Last 3 plays: stephedm (9/10), Guest 174 (4/10), Guest 172 (5/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Alex Trebek, of course, was on board as the host of "Jeopardy!". (He was also the producer of the show for its first three years.) But who was the announcer for that first episode? Hint

John Harlan

Jay Stewart

Jack Clark

Johnny Gilbert

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Question 2 of 10

2. Which of the following categories was not featured in the very first round of "Jeopardy!"? Hint

State Capitals

Actors & Roles

Lakes & Rivers

Inventions

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Question 3 of 10

3. The first answer given in the game was: "These rodents first got to America by stowing away on ships." What is the correct question? Hint

What are squirrels?

What are rats?

What are mice?

What are jerboas?

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Question 4 of 10

4. The first Daily Double was an Audio Daily Double. Which river provided the correct question for the music played in the clue? Hint

Thames River

Mississippi River

Danube River

Volga River

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Question 5 of 10

5. One of the two male contestants in the game was Frank Selevan, an advertising copywriter originally from which eastern U.S. city? Hint

Atlanta

Baltimore

New York

Miami

6. The game's lone female contestant, Lois Feinstein (originally from Plainview, New York), was a newlywed at the time of her appearance, having been married just five months. What was her occupation? Hint

Freelance copywriter

Third-grade teacher

Air traffic controller

Assistant grocery-store manager

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Question 7 of 10

7. The third contestant, Greg Hopkins from Waverly, Ohio, had an unusual job. He worked as an energy demonstrator. During his personal interview, Hopkins used what prop to illustrate what he did? Hint

A plastic model

A balloon

A diagram

A rubber ball

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Question 8 of 10

8. Which of the following categories was featured in the "Double Jeopardy!" round in this first game? Hint

U.S. Geography

Potent Potables

The Bible

Man In Space

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Question 9 of 10

9. Lois Feinstein got the first of the two Daily Doubles in the "Double Jeopardy!" round by giving a correct question pertaining to which patriotic song? Hint

"The Battle Hymn of the Republic"

"God Bless America"

"America the Beautiful"

"The Star Spangled Banner"

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Question 10 of 10

10. Which well-known person was the subject of the correct question in "Final Jeopardy!"? Hint

Mother Teresa

Martin Luther King, Jr.

Queen Elizabeth II

Bart Starr

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Most Recent Scores

Oct 16 2024 : stephedm: 9/10
Sep 26 2024 : Guest 174: 4/10
Sep 25 2024 : Guest 172: 5/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Alex Trebek, of course, was on board as the host of "Jeopardy!". (He was also the producer of the show for its first three years.) But who was the announcer for that first episode?

Answer: Johnny Gilbert

Just as much a part of the "Jeopardy!" lore as Alex Trebek, Johnny Gilbert has been the voice of the show since its debut. Gilbert's voice has been heard on numerous game shows over the years, including the ABC and CBS versions of "The Price Is Right", "The $25,000 Pyramid", "Supermarket Sweep" and "Card Sharks".

He also appeared as "Jeopardy!" announcer when the show was part of the plot of other shows, including "Cheers" and "The Golden Girls".

2. Which of the following categories was not featured in the very first round of "Jeopardy!"?

Answer: State Capitals

The first six categories featured in the very first round of "Jeopardy!" were: Lakes & Rivers, Inventions, Animals, Foreign Cuisine, Actors & Roles, and Number Please. State Capitals was not used during that first round.

3. The first answer given in the game was: "These rodents first got to America by stowing away on ships." What is the correct question?

Answer: What are rats?

Energy demonstrator Greg Hopkins, who occupied the champion's position on "Jeopardy!", gave the first correct question in the show's run. Alex Trebek explained before the game began that the three contestants on that day's show drew numbers to determine their position, since there was no defending champion.

4. The first Daily Double was an Audio Daily Double. Which river provided the correct question for the music played in the clue?

Answer: Volga River

Greg Hopkins wagered $800 of the $1,600 he had at that point on the Daily Double and gave the correct question, "What is the Volga River?" The piece of music played was "The Song of the Volga Boatmen", a well-known shipboard working song.

5. One of the two male contestants in the game was Frank Selevan, an advertising copywriter originally from which eastern U.S. city?

Answer: Miami

During his personal interview, Frank Selevan confessed to Alex Trebek that he originally tried his hand at broadcasting while in college in Houston. Alex complimented him on his voice.

Answer: Freelance copywriter

Although Lois Feinstein was a newlywed, she had known her husband for 13 years at the time of the show. Alex teased her that she took a really long time to make sure that she had found the right man.

7. The third contestant, Greg Hopkins from Waverly, Ohio, had an unusual job. He worked as an energy demonstrator. During his personal interview, Hopkins used what prop to illustrate what he did?

Answer: A balloon

The audience got a good laugh out of Greg Hopkins's demonstration of nuclear energy. As only Alex Trebek can do, he deadpanned, "Greg, try and relax," to more laughter.

8. Which of the following categories was featured in the "Double Jeopardy!" round in this first game?

Answer: The Bible

The "Double Jeopardy!" round featured The Bible, '50's TV, National Landmarks, Weights & Measures, Notorious, and 4-Letter Words. Lois Feinstein, who was in third place after the Jeopardy! round, selected 4-Letter Words for $200 to start "Double Jeopardy!".

9. Lois Feinstein got the first of the two Daily Doubles in the "Double Jeopardy!" round by giving a correct question pertaining to which patriotic song?

Answer: "The Star Spangled Banner"

The answer in the category of 4-Letter Words was: "It's the first 4-letter word in 'The Star Spangled Banner'." Lois Feinstein's answer: "What is 'what'?" Her wager put her score at $2,400, just $900 off the lead at that point. The second Daily Double in the round was not revealed as time ran out.

10. Which well-known person was the subject of the correct question in "Final Jeopardy!"?

Answer: Martin Luther King, Jr.

The "Final Jeopardy!" category was Holidays. The answer was: "The third Monday of January starting in 1986." The correct question was "What is the Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday?" or, alternately, "What is Martin Luther King, Jr's, Birthday?" Greg Hopkins, who could not be caught after his performance in "Double Jeopardy!", risked just $300 of his $8,100 stake for a winning total of $8,400. Lois Feinstein finished in second place and won a vacation to Palm Springs, California, and new luggage. Frank Selevan finished in third place and took home a pair of brand new tennis rackets.

According to the J! Archive, a "Jeopardy!" fan site, Greg Hopkins did not fare well as the new "Jeopardy!" champion. He was involved in a three-way tie at zero in the very next episode. Three new players came on board for the third episode.

Source: Author cag1970

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ladymacb29 before going online.
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