Jeopardy! theme music

Since "Jeopardy!" debuted in 1964, the show has had many different theme music versions, most of them composed by show creator Merv Griffin.

Art Fleming versions

"Think!" (originally composed by Merv Griffin as "A Time for Tony" as a lullaby for his son Tonycref|a), has served as the Final Jeopardy! Round countdown music since the show's debut in 1964.cref|b In the United States, "Think!" has insinuated itself into everyday communication; the theme has been used to score situations in which someone is waiting for another to answer a question or make a decision. "Think!" is often used at baseball stadiums when the manager goes out to the pitcher's mound to discuss a replacement, or during instant replay reviews, or at short-track races when officials are trying to ascertain the cause of a red flag accident. On numerous television shows, including The Jerry Springer Show and Boston Legal, the theme or some variation thereof is heard when a choice has to be made or a result is being awaited. Merv Griffin estimated that the "Jeopardy!" theme earned him royalties of over $70 million. [Natale, Richard. [http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117970093.html?categoryid=14&cs=1 "Hollywood legend Merv Griffin dies: Media mogul known for gameshows, talkshow"] , "Variety (magazine)", August 12, 2007. Accessed January 11, 2008.] International versions of "Jeopardy!" use sound-alike music rather than the actual "Think!" theme during the Final Jeopardy! Round, presumably to avoid making royalty payments to Griffin.

A jazz number titled "Take Ten", composed by Julann Griffin, served as the main theme to the original NBC daytime version.

On the 2000th episode in 1972, the theme music was the overture to The Who's "Tommy". At the end of the final episode of the original NBC daytime version in January 1975, Art Fleming walked off the set to the tune of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile". As the song played, credits rolled over a shot of the darkened set, with no applause.

The main theme to the 1978-1979 revival, called "Frisco Disco", was composed by Merv Griffin and arranged by Mort Lindsey, the bandleader on "The Merv Griffin Show".cref|c The opening theme, called "January, February, March", was also composed by Griffin and arranged by Lindsey, and reappeared as the main theme on the first pilot of the Alex Trebek-hosted "Jeopardy!" in 1983. Both "Frisco Disco" and "January, February, March" were recorded in 1976 and released on Merv Griffin's double album "As Time Goes By", two years prior to the revival of "Jeopardy!" in 1978.

Alex Trebek version

An electronic version of the "Think!" melody became the main theme when "Jeopardy!" returned to the airwaves in 1984, while the original recording of "Think!" was used for the Final Jeopardy! Round. The main theme was remixed in 1991 to include a bongo track, but was only used for the Tournament games initially. This became permanent at the beginning of Season 9 (1992–1993). In 1997, both the main theme and the Final Jeopardy! Round "Think!" music were updated, with jazzy orchestral arrangements by Steve Kaplan. The main theme was updated again in 2000 and again in 2001, with arrangements similar to the previous versions. The theme has gone through some slight re-orchestrations since then. An all-new arrangement of both the main theme and "Think!" music was created for the show at the beginning of the 25th season by Chris Bell Music, Inc.

The electric guitar-based theme from "Rock & Roll Jeopardy!" has been used on "Jeopardy!" leading to and coming out of commercial breaks during College Championships, Teen Tournaments, recent Kids Weeks, and recent Celebrity Jeopardy! episodes. (During a few of these tournaments, it was also played during Final Jeopardy!)

Alternate versions of "Think!" have been performed by the UCLA Marching Band (during the 2001 College Championship), the Yale Whiffenpoofs (during the 2003 College Championship), and organist Trent Johnson during the final Celebrity "Jeopardy!" show at Radio City Music Hall in 2006. Five different piano renditions were used during the show's first trip to New York City in 1999. On an episode aired in May 2007, another piano rendition was used, performed by a piano player aboard the Orient Express. On at least one occasion, the "Think!" theme was not played at all during Final Jeopardy! Before, during, and after Alex Trebek's reading of the Final Jeopardy! clue for show #3985, the L.A. Spirit Chorale sang a live, a cappella rendition of "Silent Night", with Clue Crew member Cheryl Farrell on lead vocals. This appeared to confuse opponent Carly Minner, who looked up from her podium in surprise when it was announced that time had expired.

Notes

*cnote|a|The original "A Time for Tony", which differs slightly from "Think!", was used as a jewelry prize cue on Wheel of Fortune in the 1980s.
*cnote|b|"Think!" was not used at all during the 1978-1979 "The All-New Jeopardy!", as there was no Final Jeopardy! Round.
*cnote|c|"Frisco Disco" would later resurface in 1983 as a prize cue on Wheel of Fortune, where it was used until 1989.
*cnote|d|There is a new think music for the 25th anniversary.

References

External links

* [http://www.jeopardy.com The official website of JEOPARDY!]

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