Canadians are rightly proud of Alex Trebek, the host of the US-produced quiz show, Jeopardy!, since 1984. He doesn't make a big deal out of being a Cancuck from the hard-bitten mining town of Sudbury ON, but, unlike some frostbacks who've made it big in Tinseltown, he doesn't hide it either. His erudite but mild-mannered and wholesome persona has won him won him respect wherever the show is seen.
In his native land, he consistently ranks in near the top of "10 Most Trusted Canadians" polls. He was awarded the Order of Canada in 2017 and got his place on the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2006. South of the world's longest undefended border (TM) he has won five Emmy awards and earned the Daytime Emmy Awards' Lifetime Achievement Award in 2011.
Yesterday, following his principles of openness and honesty, he made a sad announcement on Jeopardy's YouTube channel. Here it is.
Stage 4 is the final stage of pancreatic cancer and generally means the disease has spread to other parts of the body, typically the liver, lungs or bones. According to the American Cancer Society, the five-year survival rate for Stage 4 pancreatic cancer is just three per cent. But M Trebek vowed that he's going to fight it! In the video he says, "With the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease."
Besides, the 78-year-old quipped, he has to remain host of Jeopardy! for some time yet, because his new contract, signed in October, requires him to continue his role until 2022!
Walt, who regularly watches Jeopardy! to yell answers at his TV set [and to berate the contestants for their ignorance -- I've seen you! Ed.] wishes Alex many more years!
Footnote: Before finding fame and fortune in Hollywood, M Trebek worked for the Canadian Broadcorping Castration. One of his duties, in the late sixties, was to host a high school quiz show called Reach for the Top. It and he were parodied more than once on the award-winning Canadian sketch comedy show SCTV. Here's a sample, featuring Eugene Levy as "Alek", with contestants including the late John Candy, Dave Thomas, Andrea Martin, Catherine O'Hara, Rick Moranis, Joe Flaherty and the late John Candy -- all of them Canucks except for the Yankee Flaherty who later became an honorary frostback, kind of... eh.
Showing posts with label quiz shows. Show all posts
Showing posts with label quiz shows. Show all posts
Thursday, March 7, 2019
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Why dumb is bad
From freezing Florida, Agent 17 sent me a link to "The Stupidest Game Show Answers of All Time". Watch it and have a chuckle at the dumb blonde and other ignoramuses. Then think about this.
These people are allowed to vote! And their vote counts for as much as yours and mine. Worse, as Rick Shenkman points out in Just How Stupid Are We?, never in the history of America have "the people" wielded so much real political power.
Public opinion polls drive public policy. Petitions and ballot initiatives lead to stupid and unworkable legislation. Elected officials can be recalled because "the people" have changed their collective mind (if you'll pardon the overstatement) and don't want them in office any more.
Yet "the people" know next to nothing, as these video clips demonstrate, about geography, politics, economics, civics or the issues of the day. Shenkman says we have stopped reading and learning about these things because we are preoccupied with entertainment and the culture of consumerism.
And what is the result? Bad policies, bad decisions and bad government. We -- and I include Canadians and Britons along with Americans -- are reaping the harvest of the dumbing-down of our society.
It's bad for us to be so dumb! Dumb. Bad. Dumb. Bad. Dumb. Bad. Keep repeating until it sinks in.
These people are allowed to vote! And their vote counts for as much as yours and mine. Worse, as Rick Shenkman points out in Just How Stupid Are We?, never in the history of America have "the people" wielded so much real political power.
Public opinion polls drive public policy. Petitions and ballot initiatives lead to stupid and unworkable legislation. Elected officials can be recalled because "the people" have changed their collective mind (if you'll pardon the overstatement) and don't want them in office any more.
Yet "the people" know next to nothing, as these video clips demonstrate, about geography, politics, economics, civics or the issues of the day. Shenkman says we have stopped reading and learning about these things because we are preoccupied with entertainment and the culture of consumerism.
And what is the result? Bad policies, bad decisions and bad government. We -- and I include Canadians and Britons along with Americans -- are reaping the harvest of the dumbing-down of our society.
It's bad for us to be so dumb! Dumb. Bad. Dumb. Bad. Dumb. Bad. Keep repeating until it sinks in.
Sunday, December 6, 2009
The Million Dollar Question
Agent 38 has forwarded this politically incorrect story...
Sally, competing on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?', had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000! If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone money.
As she suspected the Million Dollar Question was no pushover. It was:
Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture
Sally was on the spot! She did not know the answer. She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it because her friend was...well...a blonde.
But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly, 'That's easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.'
Sally had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be convinced.
Crossing her fingers, Sally said, 'C: The cuckoo.'
'Is that your final answer?'
'Yes, that is my final answer.'
'That answer is absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!'
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars. 'I just don't know how to thank you, ' said Sally. 'But how did you happen to know the right answer?'
'Oh, come on,' said the blonde. 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks!'
Sally, competing on 'Who Wants to be a Millionaire?', had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000! If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $25,000 milestone money.
As she suspected the Million Dollar Question was no pushover. It was:
Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:
A) the condor
B) the buzzard
C) the cuckoo
D) the vulture
Sally was on the spot! She did not know the answer. She had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Ask the Audience Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline. She hoped she would not have to use it because her friend was...well...a blonde.
But she had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blonde responded unhesitatingly, 'That's easy. The answer is C: the cuckoo.'
Sally had to make a decision and make it fast. She considered employing a reverse strategy and giving any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering her friend was a blonde that would seem to be the logical thing to do. But her friend had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be convinced.
Crossing her fingers, Sally said, 'C: The cuckoo.'
'Is that your final answer?'
'Yes, that is my final answer.'
'That answer is absolutely correct! You are now a millionaire!'
Three days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends, including the blonde who had helped her win the million dollars. 'I just don't know how to thank you, ' said Sally. 'But how did you happen to know the right answer?'
'Oh, come on,' said the blonde. 'Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks!'
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