Merv Griffin didn’t have the name “Jeopardy!” in mind for the iconic game show when he created the concept. In fact, he had a wildly different title picked out.

Merv Griffin didn’t have the name “Jeopardy!” in mind for the iconic game show when he created the concept. In fact, he had a wildly different title picked out.

But today’s contestants might not be as forgetful if “Jeopardy!” creator Merv Griffin had simply named the show “What’s the Question?” — which was actually his first choice.

Back in 1963, Griffin was brainstorming ideas for a new NBC game show with his wife Julann when he began to lament the scandals that had plagued the quiz shows of the 1950s.

But today’s contestants might not be as forgetful if “Jeopardy!” creator Merv Griffin had simply named the show “What’s the Question?” — which was actually his first choice.

The working title of “Jeopardy!” was much more to-the-point.