Saturday Night Live – windupmyskirt

Canada week continues with a tribute to a proud Canadian, Alex Trebek.

Trebek and one of his many Daytime Emmy Awards

Alex Trebek has been a fixture on American television since 1973 when he began as host of the game show Wizard of Odds for NBC, though Canadians had seen him in their living rooms for a decade previous as host of a music program called Music Hop (1963-64) and the quiz show Reach for the Top (1966-1973). Trebek had a long history of hosting game shows before he was tapped as the host of Jeopardy in 1984 that included shows like, High Rollers, Double Dare, the $128,000 Question and Battlestars.

Alex Trebek hosting High Rollers

It is as the host of Jeopardy for which he will be most remembered. Trebek has been the host of television’s smartest game show for 28 years (or 6300 shows) and counting, having recently extended his contract with the show until 2014. Jeopardy has been good to Trebek, garnering him five Emmy Awards and stars on both the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Canada’s Walk of Fame.

Trebek’s star on Canada’s Walk of Fame

As host of Jeopardy, Alex Trebek seems to take great pleasure and pride in his knowledge of all things Canadian. Both Trebek and Jeopardy have become part of pop culture. With no fewer than 26 cameo appearances as himself in his role as Jeopardy host, in movies and television shows, as well as shows like Saturday Night Live and Family Guy lampooning the show and even a Weird Al Yankovic parody song called I lost on Jeopardy, Trebek is much, much more than just your average game show host. Alex Trebek is an iconic television personality.

A clip of my favourite Celebrity Jeopardy as done by Saturday Night Live. Not the best quality, but still funny.

Trebek believes in giving back. As a spokesperson for World Vision, Trebek has travelled to many third world countries, providing aid to families battling poverty. He is also involved with the U.S.O and has embarked on several tours with the organization in order to support U.S. troops overseas. Education is another subject that is important to Trebek. He sits on the boards of the National Geographic Society Education Foundation and the National Advisory Council for the Literary Volunteers of America.