I've written before about my complicated relationship with Jeopardy! — how I dreaded it as a kid, how it became appointment television once I discovered I actually loved trivia, and how watching it with my dad became one of the great rituals of my adult life. But when I sit down and think honestly about … Continue reading More Than a Host: The Enduring Legacy of Alex Trebek
Jeopardy
Come On Down! A Brief History of Game Show Phrases That Took Over the World
There's a particular kind of magic that happens when a television phrase escapes the confines of its original context and starts living rent-free in the broader culture. Politicians use them. Teachers use them. Your grandma uses them, possibly without knowing exactly where they came from. Game shows, more than almost any other television format, have … Continue reading Come On Down! A Brief History of Game Show Phrases That Took Over the World
Thank You, Alex Trebek
I was driving in my car today when I got a text from my sister informing me that Alex Trebek had passed away. He was 80 years old. At this hour, I am still attempting to process this news. I never had the privilege of meeting Alex Trebek. As much as I would love to … Continue reading Thank You, Alex Trebek
The Confusing Middle 