The Associated Press talked to Merv Griffen about Ken Jennings’ recent string of victories on Jeopardy. Here is what he had to say:
Wherever he goes these days, Merv Griffin gets asked the same question: What is Ken Jennings really like? Griffin, who created “Jeopardy” in 1963 and wrote its brief, unforgettable theme song, has not met the mild-mannered software engineer from Salt Lake City who has become a celebrity as the game show’s richest champion. But he’d like to.
“I think he’s great,” Griffin said. “He’s humble — a smart, nice kid. And I think he would like to meet the creator of ‘Jeopardy.'”
Griffin, who no longer owns “Jeopardy,” credits his former wife, Julann Griffin, with the brainstorm of giving contestants the answers and requiring them to respond in the form of a question.
NBC bought the idea and put the show on in prime time in 1964.
It didn’t work right away. The first version of the show allowed all contestants to keep their winnings. That resulted in a dull, conservative wagering strategy.
“No one bet on ‘Final Jeopardy,'” Griffin said. “It almost killed the show.”
So the rule was changed to allow only the winner to go home with cash.
Griffin said he had to battle the network brass over using the term “daily double.” NBC’s censors thought the phrase, which is also used at race tracks, would promote gambling.
Griffin also established the show’s most famous rule, limiting a champion’s run to five straight wins.
“We thought it would be boring,” to allow a contestant to just keep winning, he said. That rule was changed at the beginning of last season, leading to the record winning streak by Jennings.
The entire article can be read here.
Credit: MSN Entertainment/AP
