The Wizard of Odds

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The Wizard of Odds (July 17, 1973-June 28, 1974) was a daytime television game show hosted by Alex Trebek (later of Jeopardy!). Aired on NBC, people from the studio audience vied in a number of rounds. Most rounds had questions and challenges revolving around statistical questions.

Relatively short lived, The Wizard of Odds replaced the late Sale of the Century.

The Wizard of Odds was Trebek's first American game show assignment, after starting his broadcast career in his native Canada. It was also known for its jaunty theme song, composed and sung by one of the show's producers — entertainer Alan Thicke.

Following its cancellation, Trebek returned the following Monday with High Rollers, one of the few game show hosts to return the following Monday with a new game show after his last game show ended the previous Friday. (Art James, Jim Lange, Bill Cullen, and Tom Kennedy were the others.)

[edit] Trivia

• The theme song, written and sung by Alan Thicke, is available on the Classic TV Game Show Themes CD, released by Varese Sarabande.
• It is believed that all of the original episode tapes were destroyed years ago.

• "The Wizard of Odds" is also the nickname of gambling authority Michael Shackleford.