Do You Know the Questions from the First Episode of Jeopardy?

By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 9, 2024

The cozy-but-contemplative chiming of the “Jeopardy!” instrumental rings in your head. While humming along after seeing this quiz title, you sit with one hand in The Thinker’s pose, the other on your keyboard (hopefully not about to click away from BrainFall). You’ve probably heard “Doo Doo Doo Doo” for decades.

Nowadays, you know Final Jeopardy by heart. What about First Jeopardy? This quiz teleports you 36 years to a then-new theme and newly syndicated show. To succeed on this brain blast from the past, you’ll need considerable general knowledge of biblical basics, history, animals, pop culture, geography, language, and holidays. The wide array of topics encapsulates the vicious versatility the first three “Jeopardy!” contestants faced on the first episode. How will you stand up to the performance of advertising copywriter Frank Selvan, freelancer Lois Feinstein, and energy demonstrator Greg Hopkins?

That trio answered incorrectly four times on these eleven questions from the first episode of “Jeopardy!” Can you do better? We believe in you.

First Episode of Jeopardy

The first episode of "Jeopardy!" with daily syndication aired on Monday, September 10, 1984. Now iconic host—then mild-mannered man sporting a magnificent mustache—Alex Trebek quickly established himself as a household name. In fact, with 25 million inquisitive weekly watchers, Jeopardy plays in more households than any game show other than "Wheel of Fortune." Since the first episode, the show has outlasted over 300 game shows in its 36-year span.

The hit show Jeopardy earned Merv Griffin a fortune of his own. The iconic theme song alone earned Griffin between $70-80 million throughout his lifetime, according to a 2005 New York Times interview. What contestant has earned the most money? Brad Rutter won over $4.9 million. Although Rutter grazed on the most greenbacks, he is not the GOAT. That honorific title belongs to Ken Jennings, who defeated Rutter and fellow show icon James Holzhauer in a popular Tournament of Champions in 2019. Jennings holds additional "Jeopardy" records for consecutive games won at 74 and the highest earnings in regular-season play.

Do You Know the Questions from the First Episode of Jeopardy?

Oh, the nostalgia! If we could take a stroll down memory lane to the very beginning of "Jeopardy!", would we all not leap at the chance? Let's face it, we've spent countless evenings shouting answers at the TV screen as if the contestants could hear us through the fourth wall. And Alex Trebek, that paragon of poise, with his gentle chiding and encouragement, became an uninvited but wholly welcome member of our living room gatherings. But have we ever wondered about the brave souls who stood behind those iconic podiums on the first episode, wracking their brains for questions to the answers provided?

Let's engage our quiz-loving minds and imagine being one of the original contestants on "Jeopardy!". There's no Trebek to warmly guide us, no pre-ordained strategies based on years of viewing. It's just us, the buzzer, and a fresh game board. How many of today's quiz enthusiasts would know the questions to the answers from that pioneering episode? Would our modern-day trivia buffs be champions or be left in the intellectual dust of television history?

BrainFall is here to challenge our "Jeopardy!" mettle. Gather around, trivia team, it's time to test our knowledge of the very first challenge—do we possess the prowess to take on the debut of America's favorite quiz show? It's the ultimate question to the answer of how well we truly know "Jeopardy!"

The Genesis of Jeopardy!

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of our beloved trivia show, let's set the stage. It's 1964, Beatlemania is in full swing, and on March 30th, a new type of game show makes waves on NBC. Yes, we're talking about the original brainchild of Merv Griffin, 'Jeopardy!'. Little did anyone know, it would go on to become a cornerstone of television history.

From Art Fleming to Alex Trebek

Hosted by the dapper Art Fleming, 'Jeopardy!' was a game changer from day one. Though Alex Trebek became synonymous with the show in 1984, it was Art's voice that first echoed the iconic phrase, "I'll take potpourri for $200, please" across the airwaves. That's right, our quiz show journey began with Art's steady hand at the helm.

Birth of a Television Icon

Merv Griffin's creation was more than just a TV show; it was a cerebral coliseum, a battle of wits. Unlike typical question-and-answer formats, 'Jeopardy!' had a twist: contestants are given the answers and have to respond with the question. In its origin story, 'Jeopardy!' was a gambit by Griffin to flip the script on game shows, and boy, did he hit the jackpot with NBC.

The Pilot Episode Shenanigans

Every series has its humble beginnings, and for 'Jeopardy!', it was the pilot episode. Imagine the first-ever contestants, standing in the studio under bright lights, fumbling to phrase their answers as questions. One of the early quirks, which thankfully didn't make the cut, had contestants pushing buttons to silently signal their readiness. Can you imagine if we didn't get to hear that satisfying click of the buzzers?

So there you have it, our breakdown of 'Jeopardy!'s' first steps into television greatness. Let's be thankful for Merv Griffin's stroke of genius, which gave us this gem of a series and countless hours of shouting questions at our screens. Now, who's up for a quick round? Remember, your answer must be in the form of a question!

The Gameplay Grandeur

Buckle up, quiz aficionados! Ever wondered how the brain-busting bonanza of the very first episode of Jeopardy! turned a simple Q&A into a pop culture phenom? Let's roll out the red carpet and throw a spotlight on those dazzling debut details.

Categories and Clues Extravaganza

In the inaugural fest of intellect, contestants were teased with a smorgasbord of categories—each beckoning with its own set of brain-ticklers. The iconic blue board lit up with these topics, daring contestants to match wits with its clues. "Potent Potables," anyone? Aye, that category is as old as the show itself!

Categories: A mix designed to juggle your neurons
Clues: Ranging from softball toss-ups to hard-nosed head-scratchers

The Daily Double Dare

Tucked away like a hidden treasure, the Daily Double lurked within those innocent squares. One lucky—or should we say, gutsy—contestant would stumble upon this gem, risking their stash of cash to double up or, gasp, go down in glorious flames. Oh, the thrill of the gamble!

Daily Double: One in Jeopardy! round, two in Double Jeopardy!
Find it and it's time to go big or go home

Final Jeopardy! Jamboree

The grand finale, the big shebang, the moment of truth—it's where champions are minted and the not-so-lucky are sent packing with a lovely parting gift. Every contestant scribbled down their wisest wager, a silent prayer, and their answer to the single, game-defining clue. And just like that, history was made!