SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE -- Jim Gilligan spent the better part of 30 years trying to get on “Jeopardy!” with host Alex Trebek, from the 1990s when tryouts were conducted live in Atlantic City to countless attempts and misses online through the 2000s and 2010s.
Last year, the San Francisco State University professor’s dream was finally realized on the game show’s most emotional day. His appearance is now scheduled to air Friday, January 8, on Trebek’s last show before the iconic host died in November at age 80, after his battle with pancreatic cancer.
“It’s definitely a bittersweet moment,” Gilligan recalled. “‘Hey, I finally achieved one of my life’s dreams, I’m going to be on “Jeopardy!” and I met Alex Trebek.’ But it was the last episode he ever taped in his life.”