The "Television Without 'Jeopardy' Is Like...The End Of The World!" Story

Alex Trebek...Mr. Jeopardy!

It was an ordinary day.  Friday, January 8 and I just turned off the television.  No need to have it on any longer, since "Jeopardy" will never be the same again.  Alex Trebek has died and tonight's episode is the last one featuring him as host before he died.  Yeah...they will parade a variety of wannabe hosts across my TV screen for the next half year, but none will have the suave looks and appearance that Alex exhibited.  He was "Mr. Jeopardy!" to just about everyone who watched the show.  It was back in March of 2019 that he announced his pancreatic cancer diagnosis and the fact that he had continued to host while undergoing treatment.  He inspired every single viewer of the show with his upbeat and candid message about his health problems and how he is going to fight it the best he could.

An early Alex Trebek

He remained upbeat and even wrote a book while in quarantine, "The Answer Is...: Refelctions on My Life" which became a best-selling memory that July.  That July he also said he wouldn't make a big deal about retiring.  Why Not, Alex!  There was never a better fit for a TV show and it's content.  He seemed to know everything and could pronoun everything, even words I had never heard before.  In August of 2019 Alex completed chemotherapy and headed back to work for Season 36.

A more recent photo of Alex taken from the TV screen

 "I've gone through a lot of chemotherapy, and thankfully that it is now over.  I'm on the mend and that's all I can hope for right now.  It's going to be a great year," he said at the time.  Trebek also said he came to terms with his mortality and didn't fear death in the slightest.  "One line that I have used for our staff in recent weeks and months is that when I do pass on, one thing they will not say at my funeral is, 'Oh, he was taken too soon,'" noting that he had no plans to leave Jeopardy! before his contract was fulfilled.  

Another recent shot of Alex

But, I said to my wife the past few months that he recently looked so much older and that his illness looks as if it is taking a toll on him.  Then on November 8, 2020 I heard the announcement that Alex had died.  "Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.  Thank you, Alex," the post read.  One of the all-time best Jeopardy players was a student of mine at Manheim Township High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania.  Brad Rutter was one of the show's biggest winners who told of the late host's infamous prank during the show's 2005 "Ultimate Tournament of Champions."  

Alex entered the set one without his pants when Brad was a contestant!
He did it to relieve the tension during a big match of top winners.

He reminisced about the stunt as Trebek's final Jeopardy! show aired today.  I can't imagine the pain he must have been going through during the last few weeks of filming before his death.  

A farewell shot from a recent show.

I read that Jeopardy! resumed production this past November 30 with former Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings taking the reins as guest host.  Ken will be the first of a series of guest hosts filling in until a permanent host is announced.  The show films five episodes a day, two days a week.  Alex's last day in the studio was October 29, which means he worked right up until 10 days before his death.  Alex Trebek hosted over 8,200 episodes of the game show since 1984 which is a Guinness World Record for "most gameshow episodes hosted by the same presenter.  I know...the show must go on and I suspect I will watch it every night at 7:30 PM, but it will never be the same.  Alex was "Mr. Jeopardy!" period.  "Thanks for the memories, Alex."  There will never be another one like him!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Walking off the stage for the final time last evening, October 8, 2021.

PS - I have watched Ken Jennings during his first two episodes of Jeopardy and do like the way he presents the answers as well as his demeanor.  He isn't Alex, but I think I could enjoy the show with him as the host.  He certainly spent enough of time on the stage during his run as Champion in the past.  Best of luck to him!