Alex Trebek/Jeopardy Tribute Thread

Kudos to Ken. He's been terrific, but it's been clear from his start that he's improved and improved and improved. That's impressive, and I imagine there was A LOT of work he did behind the scenes. He can have the gig forever now, as long as he wants it, and eventually could be truly beloved in the role.

Again, salute to good work. A giant in the game, the greatest ever, and then successfully follows Trebek. That's a very likeable story.

 

Agreed. I was hugely skeptical going in. Trebek made a difficult job look easy, and I didn't think a guy with zero TV experience could make it work.

Ken's been remarkably good at it. I'm guessing he put in a hell of a lot of work to be ready.

 

The Mayim drama

https://www.theringer.com/tv/2023/1...main-host-history-ken-jennings-writers-strike

 

Another example of where someone trying too hard/lobbying too hard to get the job doesn't get the job. Been there, done that.

 

You know what Trebek never did? He never put his political leanings out there. That's very much a part of it.

 

Apropos of nothing...like most Bill Simmons properties, The Ringer is generally annoying as shit, but man, props to Claire McNear for turning Jeopardy into a beat. That is wild.

 

If you dig deep enough, you'll see he did. Noted libertarian and admitted Fox News watcher.

 

But rich AF and I'll take Simmons on his worst day eight days a week vs. Portnoy.

They're such a striking comparison. About the same age, grew up in the same area, upper-middle-class backgrounds. Interesting to see how each developed their own brand.

Of course 20-25 years ago, Simmons was about as disliked as 2023 Portnoy.

 

Yes, but that's if you dig deep enough. Perception is everything. Bialik has always put it out there.

 

It's crazy that Simmons is only eight years older than Portnoy, because it feels like he's been shifting into the Dad Content for like 15 years now.

 

You'd know better than I would but it seemed the only people to dislike Simmons 20-25 years ago were the old-timers who just wouldn't let him play in their club (not that he could anyway). People seemed to universally love The Sports Guy. It was only around the 30 for 30 period where he became omnipresent and ever-annoying and whiny.

But yes, Simmons is infinitely better than Portnoy. Of course, that is one of the lowest bars to clear in the history of humanity.