Remembering a Metro Detroit man who spent more than 20 years in the ‘Jeopardy!’ writer’s room

Alex Trebek’s final episode airs Friday

DETROIT – Fans of “Jeopardy!” all across Metro Detroit have been sharing memories of Alex Trebek as his final shows air this week.

One Metro Detroit mother and father have a very personal connection to the longtime host as their son made it from Wayne State to the “Jeopardy!” writer’s room.

READ: Here’s when Alex Trebek’s final ‘Jeopardy!’ episodes will air and what happens next

Steven Dorfman’s parents said they noticed his gift for knowledge even back in his high school years. They said the day Steven Dorfman graduated Wayne State University he drove his car out to Los Angeles.

After some time, he joined the “Jeopardy!” family and became the show’s most prolific writer and is credited with creating more than 50,000 clues.

His specialty was unusual categories. He won six Emmy’s over the 20 years that he worked on “Jeopardy!”

Steven Dorfman died in 2004, after a battle with colon cancer. The library at the “Jeopardy!” offices in L.A. is dedicated in his honor. Alex Trebek came to Michigan from California to attend Steven Dorfman’s funeral.

READ: A look at Alex Trebek’s most memorable ‘Jeopardy!’ moments

Many fans of “Jeopardy!” have been watching Alex Trebek’s final episodes all week long and Friday’s episode will be bittersweet.

The final episode featuring Trebek will air on Friday at 7:30 p.m. on Local 4. It includes a special tribute to the host.

Next Monday, former champion Ken Jennings will appear as the first guest host on the show. Several news outlets are reporting that former news anchor Katie Couric has also signed on as a guest host. It will be some time before a permanent host is selected.


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About the Authors

Kayla is a Web Producer for ClickOnDetroit. Before she joined the team in 2018 she worked at WILX in Lansing as a digital producer.

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