'Willy Wonka’ Child Star Goes on ‘Jeopardy!’ but Doesn’t Use That for His Fun Fact
For once, a Jeopardy! contestant had an interesting fun fact to share—and he chose not to share it. Paris Themmen, who once appeared as the television-obsessed child Mike Teevee in 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, turned up on everyone's favorite quiz show Tuesday night.
But when it came time for Themmen share a fun personal story about his life with host Alex Trebek—as all contestants are asked to do every episode—Themmen kept quiet about his Golden Ticket. Trebek introduced the 58-year-old former actor as an “entrepreneur” and “avid backpacker.” And Themmen's fun fact? That he's traveled to 61 countries and six continents. "My favorite was Mount Everest Base Camp," Themmen told Trebek.
Sure, traveling is cool, but nothing about Mike Teevee's stylish cowboy hat? No fun Gene Wilder anecdotes? What gives, Teevee?
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But viewers at home noticed. Twitter lit up as more and more netizens realized where they knew that familiar face from.
"Is nobody realizing that Paris on Jeopardy! right now, is Mike TV [sic] from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory?" asked one user.
"I was making dinner in the kitchen, listening to Jeopardy when Alex Trebek started introducing contestants at the break. He said Paris Themmen and I ran out saying MIKE TEEVEE !!!" exclaimed another.
Themmen did confirm his appearance on his Twitter page, tweeting on Monday, "I am appearing on tomorrow’s episode of Jeopardy! Tuesday, March 13th! Check your local listings for times. Excited!"
It's not clear why Themmen kept his past under wraps on the quiz show—he's happily reminisced about his Willy Wonka days before. In 2015, he and several other Wonka cast members reunited on the Today show for the film's 44th anniversary. "We think of ourselves as a family," he said then, of the original five Golden Ticket winners.
On Jeopardy!, Themmen came in second, which may not quite be a happily ever after, but it's certainly better than young Mike's shrunken fate. Who knew Teevee was so good at trivia?