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‘Jeopardy!’ Icon Alex Trebek Once Made Hysterical Cameo in ‘Cheers’

Even though fans were used to seeing him behind the lectern on the “Jeopardy!” stage, Alex Trebek also appeared on a popular sitcom. 

During season 8, Episode 14 of “Cheers,” Trebek appeared on the episode titled, “What Is… Cliff Clavin?” In the 1990 episode, Cliff Clavin played by John Ratzenberger appears on “Jeopardy!” during one of its tapings in Boston. 

As viewers can tell, Mailman Cliff seems intimidated by his fellow contestants: a doctor and a lawyer. That feeling subsides when the categories include civil servants, stamps from around the world, mothers and sons, beer, bar trivia, and celibacy.

If fans thought they were tuning into an actual game of “Jeopardy!” this moment would make them do a double-take. 

If you haven’t seen the episode, we suggest you do yourself a favor and watch it— it won’t disappoint. While the plot is itself hilarious, it’s also fun getting to see Trebek’s “acting” chops. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=botdmsQilnU

‘Jeopardy!’ Host Alex Trebek Doubles As Actor In Various Sitcoms

Trebek also broke out his acting skills later in 1992 when he played himself on an episode of “The Golden Girls” called “Questions and Answers.” 

As with the “Cheers” episode, Trebek plays himself when Dorothy (Bea Arthur) auditions for “Jeopardy!” when it stops in Miami. Her opponents are her roommate Rose (Betty White) and Charley (David Leisure). Since she works as a teacher, Dorothy builds an impressive lead and makes us think she’ll take the win. 

Long before his “Cheers” and “Golden Girls” cameos, Trebek had already proved he could work as both a game show host and actor. He booked his first acting gig in 1978 when he starred in the detective drama “Vega$.” 

In the episode “The Games Girls Play,” Trebek played Arthur Martin. In one scene, he had to cry, and fans noted that he could’ve pursued a career in acting instead of hosting. 

Even though Trebek stayed busy during his tenure as the host on “Jeopardy!” he still made cameos on other popular shows such as “How I Met Your Mother,” “The Simpsons,” “The Nanny,” “Seinfeld” and more.