>> reporter: creator merv griffin credits his wife with the idea, give the answer and have the contestants guess the question. >> what are cigars? >> cigars are right, yes. >> reporter: art fleming aired the original "jeopardy!" which taped right here in this studio at rockefeller center. >> that is the award they gave me for being grand champion. >> reporter: this retired navy technician, who first appeared on the show in 1965, went on to become the all-time leading champion of the fleming era. what was it like when you got here, to be a contestant on "jeopardy!"? was it nerve-racking? >> you had a degree of nervousness. if you're going to be on "jeopardy!" you have to be a little bit tense. you have to be a little bit nervous, because if you're loose, you lose. and you get beaten by the button. >> reporter: how much money did you walk away with? >> $11,110. >> reporter: from fleming to trebek, the show has produced its share of headlines over the past 50 years. in 2000, a record store clerk went on to win the most money in "jeopardy!" history. >> about $3.4 million. >> reporter: the reco