DOUBLE JEOPARDY Alex Trebek the Canadian septuagenarian who has hosted Jeopardy! since 1984 is making waves after a rap category on the perpetually popular game show has the internet in a tizzy.
In a category titled Lets Rap, Kids!, Trebek delivered a dead-pan delivery of selected lyrics from hip-hop heavy hitters like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Desiigner and Kanye West. Its the best confluence of straight-laced squareness and the work of some of the eras most prolific rap artists. Its so wrong its right.
Id go to a concert where Trebek stands on stage and de-melodizes the lyrics of Childish Gambino. Like, shut up and take my money already.
Anyway, the video making the rounds of MC Alex is pretty fun, and apparently not the first time the Hall of Fame host has spit (or enunciated, with great aplomb) lyrics. Trebek, in fact, did a similar diction-laden recitation when the category Its a Rap manifested atop a column on that iconic 6X6 grid. Its fun, too.
Anyway, Ive been fascinated by Trebek since I read A.J. Jacobs book The Know It All where the information-thirsty writer paid a visit to ATs residence, only to find him very much like the persona he portrays on afternoon telly. That, and the fact that I learned today that he shaved his mustache nearly 16 years ago. I couldve sworn hes had it long-term more recently than that.
Anyway, the video is great. Trivia is great. Alex Trebek is great, and what he said upon completing the category gives me life:
I was just getting into this rap thing. Im not too good at it, but I was getting into it, the legend said before tossing to break.
Youre better than you think, Alex.
In a category titled Lets Rap, Kids!, Trebek delivered a dead-pan delivery of selected lyrics from hip-hop heavy hitters like Drake, Kendrick Lamar, Lil Wayne, Desiigner and Kanye West. Its the best confluence of straight-laced squareness and the work of some of the eras most prolific rap artists. Its so wrong its right.
Id go to a concert where Trebek stands on stage and de-melodizes the lyrics of Childish Gambino. Like, shut up and take my money already.
Anyway, the video making the rounds of MC Alex is pretty fun, and apparently not the first time the Hall of Fame host has spit (or enunciated, with great aplomb) lyrics. Trebek, in fact, did a similar diction-laden recitation when the category Its a Rap manifested atop a column on that iconic 6X6 grid. Its fun, too.
Anyway, Ive been fascinated by Trebek since I read A.J. Jacobs book The Know It All where the information-thirsty writer paid a visit to ATs residence, only to find him very much like the persona he portrays on afternoon telly. That, and the fact that I learned today that he shaved his mustache nearly 16 years ago. I couldve sworn hes had it long-term more recently than that.
Anyway, the video is great. Trivia is great. Alex Trebek is great, and what he said upon completing the category gives me life:
I was just getting into this rap thing. Im not too good at it, but I was getting into it, the legend said before tossing to break.
Youre better than you think, Alex.