LONG BEACH, Calif. (KABC) — A Long Beach man who is a huge fan of “Jeopardy!” got the experience of a lifetime and finally set foot on the real set of the game show.
“It’s absolutely wonderful… We watched it since I was kid and, of course, it’s evolved like we have. This is really terrific,” Jim Birge standing in the prime spot behind the host’s podium.
The 78-year-old’s love of the game began when his sister-in-law was a contestant.
Then, it turned into his second job when he created a “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions for middle school students in Long Beach.
“Jeopardy!” superfan Jim Birge is battling pancreatic cancer, but says he is inspired by Alex Trebek to complete his 25th year hosting a tournament for Long Beach students.
Birge’s connection to the game grew even deeper as he watched the late Alex Trebek continue hosting as he battled pancreatic cancer. Then came his own diagnosis of the same disease, and his commitment to complete more than two decades with his treasured students.
“Don’t know if I would have done that if Alex had not continued to work. Definitely an inspiration.”
For host Ken Jennings, it’s Birge’s dedication that is inspiring.
“I love to hear about classroom Jeopardy! What Jim’s been doing, we’re honored. That’s the next generation of Jeopardy! contestants. That’s where our next players are going to come from, programs like that,” Jennings said.
The magic that happens on the “Jeopardy!” set is the same magic Birge’s wants to create for his students, and in the process, encourage a love of learning.
“Even when they’re sitting in the audience and they’re watching, they can see ‘Oh, wait a minute, I know that clue because I was just in that classroom.’ It’s just easy to make that transition from ho-hum to ‘I’m a pretty smart kid’.”
Despite grueling treatments, Birge is fighting to host as many games as possible until the Tournament of Champions in June. A quarter of a century as he closes out his final “Jeopardy!”
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