# 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:** 3
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/41 "2014-11-20T13:22:13Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > The second clue is just the category that the clue is in, isn’t it? No, some clues have what they call “breadcrumbs” which are a second clue, but it’s by no means all clues. I’m fact, it seems fairly rare these days. Usually it’s the harder clues that they don’t think anyone will get without providing a secondary hint. Recent example: > [@Answer](#): > > On Feb. 23, 1792 it was a “wrap” for this English portrait painter whose subjects included “William Robertson.” Who is Joshua Reynolds? Often they are terrible puns like that. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/42 "2014-11-20T13:38:47Z")
> [@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. Oh god no, now I’m picturing Dennis Miller hosting Jeopardy! :mad: ☹ :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Dale\_Sams](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/779978/32.png) [@Dale\_Sams](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dale_Sams)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/43 "2014-11-20T14:15:07Z")
Intelligent enough to work for the governments secret [Men in Black program.](http://the-back-row.com/media/blogs/TBR/josechung.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/44 "2014-11-20T14:46:57Z")
> [@Yllaria](#): > > He’s standing in for all of the folks at home who are sure that of course _they_ know better. I think this is it, exactly. What fun is it to be smarter than the contestants on _Wheel of Fortune_? Compare that to the internal bragging one can do if I knew the Final Jeopardy answer and the contestant didn’t? “I would have won! I would have $21,380! My obsessive knowledge of the history of British railroad development has been validated!” Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/45 "2014-11-20T14:52:02Z")
The impression I got when I was on the show was that years of having lots of money and hosting have disconnected his perspective from that of the average person. When asked by an audience member during a break, he estimated he’d get 80+% of the clues correct. That didn’t seem the most credible to me or most of the other contestants I was sitting with. Seemed like a bit of Dunning-Kruger, actually, despite the years he’s hosted. Rather than deliberately smug, he seemed to want to come across as a normal person, albeit one who couldn’t understand why everybody didn’t have their personal accountants postpone their IRS filings until November and who thought repairing fence posts on his own horse farm made him an average joe. So, slightly disconnected from reality rather than a douche, as I imagine many very wealthy and famous people would be. Confirmation bias and Dunning-Kruger, I think, explain most of it. Because he’s used to having his cards in front of him, he’s used to knowing what the proper response should be. Combine that with selective confirmation bias that pushes up his personal estimate of what he’d get right himself in the same situation as the contestants. ---
**Author:** ![Erdosain](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/erdosain/32/7284_2.png) [@Erdosain](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Erdosain)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/46 "2014-11-20T15:02:27Z")
More charitably, you could say he’s spent more time studying Jeopardy! clues than almost any other person on Earth. He knows the writers’ idiosyncrasies and obsessions and has been drilling constantly for 30 years. As long as you keep abreast of the news and occasionally dig deep into very specific categories (composers, painters) just about any reasonably smart person will know 80% of the answers. The trick is clicking fast enough and being able to articulate it under enormous pressure. I don’t think he’s a genius but he could probably do a fair job at winning. ---
**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 3:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/47 "2014-11-20T15:02:57Z")
In the corners of the internet where I hang out, one of the biggest complaints about him does seem to be that, “Oh, no,” thing. His tone, in responding to an incorrect guess, which conveys the attitude of “Wow, that was a bad answer. How could you have gotten such an easy clue so wrong?” But I can’t really fault him on that too much, if I’m honest with myself. Because he doesn’t do it all the time. Just on occasions where the answer seems pretty obvious, and the contestant’s reply is way off. And usually when he _does_ do it, I’m thinking the exact same thing! Sometimes contestants do offer up some astonishingly stupid guesses. Trebek probably does a better job than I would of hiding his derision, but sometimes it slips out. It would slip out far more often if I had his job, trust me. 🙂 On the other hand, if I ever become a contestant, I have no doubt that I will give at least one howler of an answer. Such is karma. ---
**Author:** ![Chicken\_Fingers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Chicken\_Fingers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chicken_Fingers)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/48 "2014-11-20T17:18:43Z")
My impression of Trebek is that he’s a performer. Years ago, my ex was on the show, and I got to watch them tape. In between shows, he’d perform for us with an assortment of showbiz patter. He wore extremely high-heeled lifts, as I recall. He’s like Mr. Vegas for nerds. ---
**Author:** ![Revtim](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/revtim/32/1042_2.png) [@Revtim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revtim)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 6:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/49 "2014-11-20T18:08:39Z")
Unlike other game show hosts like Pat Sajak, he’s smart enough to not post stupid shit on Twitter like “I now believe global warming alarmists are unpatriotic racists knowingly misleading for their own ends. Good night.” ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/50 "2014-11-20T18:54:55Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Maybe it’s because I’ve been happily breathing oxygen for the last few decades, but holy shit that answer was embarrassingly terrible. > > It’s like answering a golf question with Roger Federer. Yeah, no shit. I’d have gotten the question right, and I literally only know the name of one hockey player. ---
**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, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/51 "2014-11-20T19:02:12Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > Yeah, no shit. I’d have gotten the question right, and I literally only know the name of one hockey player. You poor deprived person. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Miller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/miller/32/481_2.png) [@Miller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Miller)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/52 "2014-11-20T19:22:25Z")
In related news, I’ve only recently figured out that you’re not an arborist. ---
**Author:** ![OneCentStamp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/13edae/32.png) [@OneCentStamp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OneCentStamp)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 8:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/53 "2014-11-20T20:07:59Z")
> [@Miller](#): > > In related news, I’ve only recently figured out that you’re not an arborist. You’re better off than I am; I had assumed that he was employed in cooling off Pharaoh with a gently waved palm frond. ---
**Author:** ![SandyHook](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dec6dc/32.png) [@SandyHook](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SandyHook)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/54 "2014-11-20T22:54:24Z")
> [@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. To the tune of $10,000,000 per year. That’s not quite $5,000 an hour for a 40 hour week. See [this](http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/alex-trebek-net-worth/) Oddly, to me anyway, according to the article he’s only worth 50 million. He must have some spendy habits. ---
**Author:** ![notfrommensa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/f14d63/32.png) [@notfrommensa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/notfrommensa)\ **Post date:** [November 20, 2014, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/55 "2014-11-20T23:58:20Z")
I am not sure how Alex could tell a contestant that (s)he was wrong, w/o some people thinking it was smug or condensing. What are the alternatives? **WRONG!** **You can’t be serious** **Nope, you idiot!** **Incorrect!** I think any way you say it, after 1000’s of times, is going to sound smug or patronizing. ---
**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 21, 2014, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/56 "2014-11-21T00:22:20Z")
> [@SandyHook](#): > > To the tune of $10,000,000 per year. That’s not quite $5,000 an hour for a 40 hour week. > > See [this](http://www.celebritynetworth.com/richest-celebrities/alex-trebek-net-worth/) > > Oddly, to me anyway, according to the article he’s only worth 50 million. He must have some spendy habits. He’s a supporter of four [known charities](https://www.looktothestars.org/celebrity/alex-trebek#charities), but I don’t know to what tune. > [@](#): > > Alex Trebek has supported the following charities listed on this site: > > ``` > National Geographic Education Foundation > Smile Train > > United Service Organization > World Vision > > ``` ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/57 "2014-11-21T16:39:42Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I am not sure how Alex could tell a contestant that (s)he was wrong, w/o some people thinking it was smug or condensing. > > What are the alternatives? > > **WRONG!** > > **You can’t be serious** > > **Nope, you idiot!** > > **Incorrect!** > > I think any way you say it, after 1000’s of times, is going to sound smug or patronizing. It’s not about what some people think. We’re talking about nigh universal signs. A snarky remark that implies you are stupid is pretty much universally thought of as being smug. That’s what we got with the NBA comment. At least his “Oh no” came off as a genuine reaction he’s trying to stifle out of respect. An “Oh no” can be sympathetic. And it doesn’t help that he puts forth a stuffy smart guy persona, one that is not distinguished from his own personality. He fits the stereotype of the pretentious smart guy. He even has the problem with overpronouncing foreign words and correcting people’s pronunciation even when it doesn’t actually matter. He’s missing that aspect we tend to expect from our gameshow hosts–that part where the host is actually cheering for you to win. Despite there being other games with an actual gimmick of someone being an asshole, the only other show I can think of like this is “The Weakest Link.” But, as a gimmick, it’s a recognized part of the show. The Weakest Link host comes off as playing a character. Trebek comes off as playing himself. There are plenty of other quiz shows where the host doesn’t come off as someone who knows all the answers. Regis was pretty self effacing on **Millionaire** , for example. He knew he’d make mistakes, so he acknowledged that. Trebek’s lack of said acknowledgement makes him come off as arrogant. Which is why we like finding when he screws up. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/58 "2014-11-21T18:49:42Z")
> [@Erdosain](#): > > Here, I dug up a classic “Oh, no.” I swear he does this at least once a week. > > [https://youtube.com/watch?v=tK8Qjo7HCIk](https://youtube.com/watch?v=tK8Qjo7HCIk) Buddy deserved more than an “oh no.” He deserved a “Jesus Christ, of course not.” ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/59 "2014-11-21T19:00:39Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > I am not sure how Alex could tell a contestant that (s)he was wrong, w/o some people thinking it was smug or condensing. > > What are the alternatives? > > **WRONG!** > > **You can’t be serious** > > **Nope, you idiot!** > > **Incorrect!** > > I think any way you say it, after 1000’s of times, is going to sound smug or patronizing. I was watching the show once and a contestant answered an answer about a Dutch painter with the question “Who is Bruegel?”. Wrong answer, and after the elapsed time Alex turns to him and says, “Bruegel of course was Flemish.” That has since become my hallmark for smug answers. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [November 21, 2014, 7:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111/60 "2014-11-21T19:03:55Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > The impression I got when I was on the show was that years of having lots of money and hosting have disconnected his perspective from that of the average person. > > When asked by an audience member during a break, he estimated he’d get 80+% of the clues correct. That didn’t seem the most credible to me or most of the other contestants I was sitting with. Seemed like a bit of Dunning-Kruger, actually, despite the years he’s hosted. At least in regular Jeopardy games, I can totally believe that. I personally get about two thirds of them right, on average, and have had nights where I missed no more than a couple of clues the entire game. Depends on my luck with the categories. (During the Tournament of Champions it’s much, much harder.) Alex Trebek has the advantage, of course, of living and breathing the show half his life, and as has been well documented, the more you know about the game the easier it is to correctly guess the answers. There is a predictability to the clues and the answers; I think it was Alfred Chu, actually, who noted that when he was preparing for his appearance he did some research and found that if a category is “Composers” or some such thing there’s only 12, maybe 15 possible answers they have _ever_ used, and a lot of them are invariably pinned to the same clues; the example used was that if there’s anything about Norway in the clue and they want a composer’s name, you can bet your house it’s Edvard Grieg. If the clue hints there’s something weird about the peice, guess John Cage, because it’ll always be John Cage. (Came up the other night. I guessed John Cage, not because I knew the piece - I did not - but weird music = Cage on Jeopardy.) Trebek by now almost certainly knows ALL those little tricks. There’s only so many trivia questions you can ask that are fair. The show is repeating itself. If I can regularly rack up 60-70% just watching maybe three times a week, Trebek’s got a huge up on me. I’d argue there’s a Dunning-Kruger effect here for sure but it’s in the opposite direction; people wildly underestimate how incredibly skilled Trebek is at hosting the show. His skill set is very, very rare, and he is astoundingly good at it. All similar jobs - announcing a sporting event, hosting a talk show, radio show, anything - are jobs people think they’d be good at it because it just looks like you’re talking and reading cue cards. They are in fact incredibly hard and 99.99% of people, asked to fill in for Trebek, would be vastly, often comically, inferior. It’s a miracle, given that he has the answers, that does as good a job as he does. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/is-alex-trebek-actually-that-smart/705111.md?page=4)