Jeopardy! is a popular international television game show, originally devised by Merv Griffin, who also created Wheel of Fortune. The show originated in the United States, where it first ran on NBC from 1964 to 1975 and again from 1978 to 1979. Its most successful incarnation is the current Alex Trebek-hosted syndicated version, which has aired continuously since September 1984.
Jeopardy! is a game of trivia, usually covering topics such as history, literature, and pop culture. During the game, three competing contestants are given a clue in the form of an answer, to which they must give a response phrased as a question.
The Jeopardy concept was originally created by Merv Griffin, who wanted to take the format of a television quiz show and make it more enticing by speeding up the game and putting a twist on the format. The original twist, giving clues in the form of answers and expecting replies in the form of questions, was originally the central concept of the show, which was pitched under the title "What's the Question?". The name "Jeopardy" was coined when, according to Griffin, a skeptical producer rejected the show claiming "it doesn't have enough jeopardies" (a reasonable complaint, since a winning player in Jeopardy can maintain his lead relatively easily by avoiding risk). Griffin thought the "Jeopardy" name sounded perfect and immediately used it to generate puns like naming the second round of the game Double Jeopardy.
Art Fleming hosted (and Don Pardo was the announcer on) the original version, which aired during the day from March 30, 1964 to January 3, 1975 on NBC for 2,753 shows. Fleming also hosted a short-lived syndicated version in 1974-75, and another short-lived NBC revival, The All-New Jeopardy!, from October 2, 1978 to March 2, 1979 for 105 shows. (John Harlan was that edition's principal announcer.)