# Is Alex Trebek actually that smart? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [November 19, 2014, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111 "2014-11-19T22:44:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/21 "2014-11-20T02:32:51Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > As far as the OP goes: pretentiousness is the whole shtick. The finely calibrated snark is hardly that different from what we expect here on the SDMB, in fact. Yeah, he’d fit right in, wouldn’t he? Especially since the snark is coupled with actually knowing only 60% of the answers. Kid’s a natural. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/22 "2014-11-20T02:34:32Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’ve never understood why people dislike him. Considering the type of show \*Jeopardy! \*is, he seems to be just right. And regarding his mispronunciations, they’re few and far between, considering the things he pronounces correctly. I’ve always assumed he gets the clues a few days in advance to and might even have a coach to work with some of the harder ones on. I’d be pretty surprised if he was reading those for the first time when they flash up on the board. > [@Leaffan](#): > > Missed the edit window, but: > > Trebek probably wasn’t exceptionally informed when he took over Jeopardy, but holy shit, after 30 years of hosting a trivia show don’t you think he’s picked up a bit of knowledge? Isn’t this how EVERY profession works? I’m pretty sure emergency room doctors, after 30 years experience, know a thing or two they didn’t at the start of their careers? > > I’m sure Trebek at this point is an extremely informed individual. It is a bit annoying when someone gives their answer and he says something like “oh no, you must have been thinking of [obscure historical figure] but you about 1000 years off.” Maybe he’s just smart, but I assume that after ‘playing’ Jeopardy for all these years he’s picked up an awful lot of trivia. I know there’s quite a bit of answers I get simply because they’re essentially just recycled clues. The biggest tip I can give to anyone playing at home (other than pausing it so you have a few extra seconds) is to know that each clue actually contains two clues. If you can’t figure it out, don’t get hung up on it and look for the other clue. ---
**Author:** ![jtur88](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/e9c0ed/32.png) [@jtur88](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jtur88)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/23 "2014-11-20T04:17:55Z")
It’s Entertainment, folks. The program is touted and billed as intellectual, and all participants are obliged to maintain that pretense. Trebec himself might not do very well as a contestant on the show,which is a pretty high bar overall, but he pulls it off, successfully. And is paid handsomely to do so. I would hazard, though, that Trebec is probably smarter than most of the stiffs watching the show, who are therefore in no position to cast aspersions on how smart he is. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/24 "2014-11-20T04:30:37Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’ve never understood why people dislike him. Considering the type of show \*Jeopardy! \*is, he seems to be just right. And regarding his mispronunciations, they’re few and far between, considering the things he pronounces correctly. I honestly think that he’s disliked by some people because he’s a smart, smarmy, Canadian. If he was a smart, smarmy American he would be cut a lot more slack. ---
**Author:** ![MysteryFellow63427](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e4f/32.png) [@MysteryFellow63427](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MysteryFellow63427)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/25 "2014-11-20T05:11:02Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > He always pronounces Cape Verde as Cape Vair-Day. Is that wrong? That’s the correct pronunciation of “verde” in spanish, FWIW. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/26 "2014-11-20T05:17:00Z")
> [@jtur88](#): > > It’s Entertainment, folks. The program is touted and billed as intellectual, and all participants are obliged to maintain that pretense. Trebec himself might not do very well as a contestant on the show,which is a pretty high bar overall, but he pulls it off, successfully. And is paid handsomely to do so. > > I would hazard, though, that Trebec is probably smarter than most of the stiffs watching the show, who are therefore in no position to cast aspersions on how smart he is. Trebek. ---
**Author:** ![DrCube](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a3d4f5/32.png) [@DrCube](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrCube)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/27 "2014-11-20T05:23:57Z")
Pronunciation is what gets me. He acts like there’s an omnipotent pronunciation council on high and if you say it wrong you might as well have said “bullshit”. No, people pronounce things differently, Alex, and just because they said “tomahto” and you say “tomayto” doesn’t mean they got it wrong. Also, can we get rid of the “must be in the form of a question” baloney? It’s really a pointless and irritating gimmick. And I’m sure both of those things are out of his control, so I don’t usually blame Trebek. It’s the producers. ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/28 "2014-11-20T05:57:46Z")
Trebek has always been gracious when Pat Sajak is a contestant. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 6:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/29 "2014-11-20T06:25:12Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > I’ve always assumed he gets the clues a few days in advance to and might even have a coach to work with some of the harder ones on. I’d be pretty surprised if he was reading those for the first time when they flash up on the board. > > It is a bit annoying when someone gives their answer and he says something like “oh no, you must have been thinking of [obscure historical figure] but you about 1000 years off.” > Maybe he’s just smart, but I assume that after ‘playing’ Jeopardy for all these years he’s picked up an awful lot of trivia. I know there’s quite a bit of answers I get simply because they’re essentially just recycled clues. > > The biggest tip I can give to anyone playing at home (other than pausing it so you have a few extra seconds) is to know that each clue actually contains two clues. If you can’t figure it out, don’t get hung up on it and look for the other clue. The second clue is just the category that the clue is in, isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 7:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/30 "2014-11-20T07:03:22Z")
> [@panache45](#): > > I’ve never understood why people dislike him. Considering the type of show \*Jeopardy! \*is, he seems to be just right. And regarding his mispronunciations, they’re few and far between, considering the things he pronounces correctly. Not as many as you’d think. When I was on they would re-record him reading the answers he got wrong at the end of the taping of a show so they could splice in the correct pronunciation. Faster and more efficient than doing a retake - which of course would screw up the show. Actors stumble over lines they’ve read minutes before. Five shows a day and of course you make mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 7:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/31 "2014-11-20T07:37:55Z")
> [@neuroman](#): > > Is that wrong? That’s the correct pronunciation of “verde” in spanish, FWIW. Yes, it is incorrect. Cape Verde is pronounced Cape Vurd by people from there. If you want the Portuguese root from which it comes, it is spelled Cabo Verde. But anytime you see “Cape” it is the Anglicized version, and is followed by Vurd. > **[Dictionary.com | Meanings & Definitions of English Words](https://www.dictionary.com/browse/cape%20verde?s=t)** > > The world's leading online dictionary: English definitions, synonyms, word origins, example sentences, word games, and more. A trusted authority for 25+ years! ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/32 "2014-11-20T08:04:07Z")
> [@california\_jobcase](#): > > BTW, did anyone else catch the the 3-word rhyming category error a couple days ago? Moles are NOT rodents!! I saw that one. I thought of “vole”, but then when Alex said “mole” was correct I wondered if they’d have accepted “vole” as a valid alternate response (as they sometimes do). ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/33 "2014-11-20T08:18:13Z")
> [@Joey\_P](#): > > … each clue actually contains two clues. If you can’t figure it out, don’t get hung up on it and look for the other clue. Other than the category, is this true? It might be true for some, even many clues, but certainly not for all clues. That’s a guess on my part. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/34 "2014-11-20T08:28:46Z")
[Alex Trebek](http://img2.timeinc.net/people/i/2013/sandbox/news/131202/moustache-monday/alex-trebek-600x450.jpg) vanished over 15 years ago. He was replaced by a guy that looks a little bit like him without a mustache. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![VarlosZ](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/d78d45/32.png) [@VarlosZ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VarlosZ)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/35 "2014-11-20T08:42:28Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > I honestly think that he’s disliked by some people because he’s a smart, smarmy, Canadian. > > If he was a smart, smarmy American he would be cut a lot more slack. Nah. As someone who speaks for every American, I can tell you that we really don’t think of “Canadian” as a thing – that is, as an identity, as “other.” In some cases we’re aware that a celebrity is Canadian, and there may even be a gentle ribbing about it from time to time, but, emotionally, you guys pretty much feel like Americans. Ironically, other Americans get a lot more prejudice than Canadians in this regard. A Yankee might feel like those damn Southerners are so _such-and-such_, and vice versa – and certainly people from _other_ foreign countries would be in for the skepticism you describe – but I’ve never known anyone to speak ill of, or look askance at, our Northern neighbors. (Wait, actually, that’s not quite true. I went to college in upstate New York, and knew several people who came from within 100 miles or so of the border. _Those_ people, from time to time, would actually kvetch about the “Canucks” and seemed to kind of mean it. That was super-bizarre to me, but I’m sure it was just a slightly different version of “My city is better than that crap-shack city two towns over” nonsense.) Oh, and I think Trebek is awesome. I don’t find him smug in general at all, and for any specific instances where it seems like he might be, well, **_you_ try going on TV every night for 30 years to tell strangers that they’re wrong** , and see if some people watching don’t get ideas about you. ---
**Author:** ![Orville\_mogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/aeb1de/32.png) [@Orville\_mogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orville_mogul)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/36 "2014-11-20T09:08:28Z")
> [@Stringbean](#): > > Or is he just a pretentious douche who pretends to be a genius because he already has all the answers? Actually, I believe he has all the questions. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/37 "2014-11-20T10:31:10Z")
Every time he refers to a female contestant as “young lady” I want to break his face. I’ve never heard him call one of the guys “young man” - so he’s an ass. I have spoken!! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/38 "2014-11-20T11:39:37Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > He always pronounces Cape Verde as Cape Vair-Day. Me too! Me and Alex are just a coupla tards. ---
**Author:** ![MostlyUseless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba8739/32.png) [@MostlyUseless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MostlyUseless)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/39 "2014-11-20T11:55:46Z")
I would always pronounce verde as vair-day. That is the Spanish pronunciation. As regards the pronunciation by locals, well, in Oklahoma, they have a town spelled Miami that the locals pronounce Miam-uh. Just being from somewhere doesn’t give you free rein to mangle the pronunciation. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 12:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/40 "2014-11-20T12:09:48Z")
I’ve seen Cesária Évora perform, and IIRC she pronounced her country vair-day. She was awesome. ☹ [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111.md?page=3)