ALEX TREBEK: Behind the Answer Board

Emmy Award-winning game show host Alex Trebek knows all the questions to the answers he asks on the popular syndicated series “Jeopardy!”

And now he is giving fans the behind-the-scenes scoop on how the show was created, how the game board works and how the categories and questions are created in the new book “The Jeopardy! Book,” which he co-wrote with Peter Barsocchini (HarperPerrenial, $12.95).

A native of Canada, the 50-year-old Trebek began his career with the Canadian Broadcasting Company, where he worked in national news, radio and TV.

Since coming to the United States nearly two decades ago, he’s been the host of “High Rollers,” “The $128,000 Question” and “Battlestars.” In addition to his “Jeopardy!” duties, he also is host of NBC’s daytime game show “Classic Concentration.”

Trebek talked about his life in “Jeopardy!” with Susan King.

Why you decided to write the book?

I think it was Harper’s idea. They thought that it would be a good idea. They have some people on staff who are “Jeopardy!” fans. They came up with the idea and came to us. I had not considered doing a book.

You’ve just entered your seventh season as host of “Jeopardy!”

We have completed our sixth year and started our seventh. It has had two long runs: 10 years the first time and we have done six. It has completed 17 years on the air.

Are you still No. 2 in the syndicated ratings behind “Wheel of Fortune”?

Yes, but in a lot of markets we are No. 1.

Does “Jeopardy!” appeal to all age groups?

All ages. One of the great things about our show is the whole family can watch. All age groups can scream out responses to our material because the material is pertinent to all age groups.

Why is it that except for the senior tournament of champions, senior citizens are rarely on the show?

It’s tough for a senior to compete because the reflexes slow down. Reflex is important for our players. A 30-year-old player will always beat a 60-year-old player.

Why are there more male contestants than women contestants?

More men try out. Men are more into competition then women. They grow up competing. Women grow up getting along. It’s a tough transition for women to say, “Hey, I am going to go out there and kick butt.” And as a result we probably get at least seven men to every woman trying out on the show.

I was surprised to read that when “Jeopardy!” first went into syndication, some stations scheduled it in the wee hours of the morning.

That was only in New York. New York had this wonderful programmer at that time. Don’t ask me why they did that. It was stupid putting us on at 1:30 in the morning.

You must have a huge staff writing the questions.

We have a dozen people. They go through anything and everything (to find a question). You name it and it will become a source material for the show.

How many questions do you go through during the year?

We go through 15,000.

Have you ever repeated a question?

We repeat the same thing. We try to phrase it differently. We approach it from a different angle.

Do you remember certain categories that just didn’t work?

I suppose, but I can’t recall any. We have gone through thousands of topics. I remember a sailing category that just bombed, and the next time we used the category, the contestants loved it.

What contestant has won the most money?

Chuck Forrest won close to $173,000. He won the tournament of champions one year.

Do “Jeopardy!” staff members go around the country recruiting contestants?

We do contestant searches in about 20 to 25 cities each year. There is a tremendous response, but it’s tough to get selected because we only have slots for 300 people. The stations receive 10,000 postcards and they have got to select them at random. So unless you send in 1,000 postcards, the odds are not in your favor. It’s a lot easier to be in California and call us up and take the test out here.

It must have been exciting to do “Jeopardy!” in prime-time for ABC this past summer.

That was fun because we taped it in batches and we got it out of the way quickly. It was nice to expose “Jeopardy!” to a different audience. We are watched by 15 to 20 million people every day, but we thought we had reached some new people. The competition was good.

Have you ever tired of hosting “Jeopardy!?”

“Jeopardy!” is not difficult to keep fresh. The material is new each day, and the contestants are so sharp. I have to really gear up to perform at a level that matches theirs.

“Jeopardy!” airs Monday-Friday at 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays at 5:30 p.m. on KCBS.