dan, back to you. >> reporter: alex trebek does nothing to dispel that idea. >> that word is parqueted. you were almost there, jacobter: providing a soothing, supportive presence for nervous contestants whose answers, as we all know by now, must be in the form of a question. >> kelly. >> what is sorry? >> i usually precede it with ooo, sorry. i'm on their side. i want to be perceived as the best friend these contestants have because if i'm not perceived that way, the audience out there, the television viewers, will turn against me. and i don't want you to turn against me. >> good luck. let's go to work right now. >> reporter: unlikely. he's got 6,000 jeopardy episodes under his belt. it's not all a blur by this time? >> no. i get so wrapped up in the game that quite often i don't know what the score is. >> reporter: no matter. he insists the show is not about him. >> airline home countries for $200 please. >> what do you think accounts for his success? >> it's a good show. >> all nippon airways. >> what is japan? >> yes. >> it satisfies one aspect of humanity that is very, very important. >> airlines for $400. airl