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Alex Trebek Recorded an Inspiring Thanksgiving Message Before His Death

By Mark Chalifoux
Trebek Thanksgiving Message
(Twitter/Jeopardy)

We lost a true gem in Alex Trebek’s passing, but the iconic Jeopardy host recorded an inspiring Thanksgiving message in one of the last episodes he recorded. Our collection of new Trebek episodes is quickly dwindling, but his witty outtakes will always be are timeless.

One of the episodes he recorded before his passing aired on Thanksgiving, and it included an uplifting message we all could hear right now (a few times).

“You know, in spite of what America and the rest of the world is experiencing right now, there are many reasons to be thankful. There are more and more people extending helpful hands to do a kindness to their neighbors, and that’s a good thing.

“Keep the faith,” Trebek concluded. “We’re going to get through all of this, and we will be a better society because of it.”

It’s impossible to watch that without the room getting a little dusty, as we savor every last special message from Trebek, with each taking on new meaning and importance after his passing.

There’s a reason Trebek was so beloved, and there’s no question we could all take his message of helping one another, being thankful, and keeping the faith to heart right now, as we endure what’s supposed to be a difficult winter before turning the corner on our global pandemic.

Jeopardy Resumes Filming With ‘Interim Host’, Jeopardy GOAT Ken Jennings

By Mark Chalifoux
Ken Jennings is the GOAT
(Courtesy of ABC)

After the passing of legendary Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, the long-running game show will resume production with its first new host in 37 seasons. The baton is being passed to the greatest Jeopardy player ever, Ken Jennings, who will be the first ‘of a series of interim-hosts from the Jeopardy family.’

Trebek was beloved, and whoever replaces him long-term will have enormous shoes to fill. But, at the same time, Trebek frequently spoke about wanting the show to continue into a new era. Jeopardy executive producer Mike Richards released a statement about resuming production with Ken Jennings at the helm. Jennings recently started an official role on the show, so the move makes perfect sense.

“Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy and always said he wanted the show to go on without him,” Richards said. “We will honor Alex’s legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved with smart contestants and challenging clues. By bringing in familiar guest hosts for the foreseeable future, our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers.”

Jennings said there will only be one Alex Trebek, but that he was honored to help out Jeopardy during this time.

Jennings was widely seen as one of the favorites to replace Trebek, as he’s the most recognizable name in the Jeopardy world and is also the greatest contestant to play the game. He owns the record for the longest winning streak (74 games) and won the Jeopardy Greatest of All Time tournament earlier this year.

Trebek had mentioned who he’d like to see as his replacement over the years, telling Good Morning America a couple of years back that he jokes with the audience about it. “I say it should be Betty White because they want somebody younger and somebody funnier than me,” he said.

While production resumes November 30th with Jennings, there’s no word about other hosts. Possibilities include James Holzhauer, another Jeopardy standout, or maybe LeVar Burton, if petitions count.

Either way, we’re getting more Jeopardy, and it starts with Jennings.

6 Hilarious Clips and Cameos Showcase Alex Trebek’s Potty Mouth and Sense of Humor

By Mike Julianelle
Alex Trebek Potty Mouth
(Twitter/FoundFootage)

In the wake of Alex Trebek’s passing, there have been many tributes. Contestants who met him, athletes who watched him, fans who enjoyed him over his long, legendary run, shared their memories of the game show host who became much more than that after decades on their TV sets. We even learned more about Alex Trebek as a dad.

I myself grew up watching Jeopardy with my dad, and the primary memories I have of Trebek is of the way he pronounced the word “genre” and his professionalism, seemingly never missing a show and always delivering the goods.

But there were other aspects to his personality, including an excellent sense of humor, a willingness to take some digs at contestants, and something of a potty mouth!

Below are a few clips showcasing the parts of Alex Trebek’s personality that didn’t always come across on our TV screens, but were there just enough to make him far more than a simple game show host.

Check them out!

Alex Trebek’s Potty Mouth

That time he had little patience, and a lot of swears, for show promos:

Trebek Doesn’t Mince Words

The time told them how he really felt:

No Pants Alex Trebek

The time he wasn’t caught with has pants down:

Trebek Vs Clueless Contestants

The time he was a good sport with contestants who were bad at sports:

Alex Trebek and Cliff Clavin

The time he made a cameo on Cheers and Cliff talked him out of quitting:

Trebek Cameos on SNL’s Jeopardy!

The time he showed his respects to a long-standing sketch:

Petition Wants LeVar Burton to Host Jeopardy!

By Mike Julianelle
Levar Burton to Host Jeopardy!?
(Getty/Theo Wargo)

2020 is the year from hell, for countless reasons, not least of which is the number of beloved people who’ve passed away over the course of the last 10+ months.

The latest casualty is longtime Jeopardy host and television icon Alex Trebek, who lost his valiant battle with cancer earlier this week. The tributes began flowing from all corners of the entertainment world and beyond, as people remembered the impact the game-show host had on their lives.

And then people began speculating about who might replace him.

Some are calling for past Jeopardy hero Ken Jennings, who parlayed an insanely long winning streak on the show into a bit of fame for himself, writing books, being funny on Twitter, and generally being known as a witty, smart, nice guy. On Twitter, he seems to have a bit of that sharp edge that Trebek occasionally flashed, much to our delight.

Jennings seems like a pretty good call, but now someone else has entered the mix, by way of an online petition.

Many of us grew up with Levar Burton as the host of Reading Rainbow. Before that, he starred in the groundbreaking Roots miniseries, and afterward, he appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation as engineer Jordie LaForge. Might his next role be commanding the contestants on Jeopardy?

The petition hopes so and is aiming to collect 10,000 votes. But it’s already closing in on 25,000!

Here’s the pitch:

“Between hosting 21 seasons of the educational Reading Rainbow, playing the brainiac engineer Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and filling the roll of Kunta Kinte in the ever-important mini-series Roots, LeVar Burton has inspired and shaped the minds of several generations of trivia-loving nerds. This petition is to show Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and producer Harry Friedman just how much love the public has for Burton, and how much we’d all love to see him as the next host of Jeopardy!”

Head to this link to sign the petition and stay tuned to find out who will ultimately be chosen to fill Trebek’s big shoes!

Alex Trebek’s Final Episode of Jeopardy Will Air on Christmas Day

By Mark Chalifoux
Trebek
(Twitter/Jeopardy)

Alex Trebek still has one final gift for us, and it’s coming on Christmas. The TV legend had been filming his 37th season of Jeopardy when he tragically passed away from cancer earlier this month. The air date for the final episode he filmed? Christmas day.

There’s no questioning we lost a TV icon when Trebek passed, but we also lost ‘a really decent man’ and a great dad. He was a constant in our homes for more than three decades, and it’s nearly impossible to imagine anyone else hosting that show.

Jeopardy had begun filming their first new season under COVID restrictions, and Trebek’s final episode was filmed on October 29th, just 10 days before his passing. The executive producer of the year said Trebek “heroically continued to host Jeopardy” after his diagnosis, and that his performance over the final episodes was ‘the most inspiring demonstration of courage I have ever seen. His constant desire to learn, his kindness, and his professionalism will be with all of us forever.”

One of his other producers spoke to the media about the episodes he recently filmed, including an emotional speech about the holidays that brought the crew to tears.

“He gives a speech talking about togetherness, how important family is, and it will resonate even more now,” he said. “It was so beautiful.”

The final episodes of Jeopardy with Trebek begin Christmas week, with the final episode on Christmas day. There has been nothing official about what happens after that, or who the next host may be.

Alex Trebek Was an Amazing Dad To His Adopted Daughter Nicky

By Yael Meshulam
Alex and Nicky Trebek
(Instagram/nickytrebek)

Alex Trebek was a legend and his passing is a huge loss to people around the world. He spent nearly four decades of his life as the beloved host of Jeopardy, treating contestants with kindness and filling the show with unparalleled positivity. He embodied both lightheartedness and sophistication, taking the iconic tv show to a level it likely wouldn’t have reached without him. Alex Trebek was a brilliant game show host, a dedicated philanthropist, and a wonderful dad to his three children.

Trebek’s first wife, Elaine, had a daughter named Nicky. Nicky was just six years old when Elaine and Trebek married, and though the couple didn’t have any children of their own, Trebek loved and raised Nicky as if he were his own child. Elaine and Trebek were married from 1974 to 1981, and during that time, Trebek made his dad status official and legally adopted Nicky.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#girldad

A post shared by Nicky Trebek (@nickytrebek) on

Even after Trebek married his second wife, Jean, Nicky remained his daughter. With Jean, Trebek fathered two more children, Matthew and Emily. Having biological children didn’t change the fact that even before the arrival of his son, Alex Trebek was already a dad.

In a 2020 Father’s Day tribute on Inside Wink, Jean expressed enormous gratitude for her family. She discussed Alex and their two children before stating, “we have the added benefit of Nicky being part of our family.” She continued, “It feels to me like our little family was meant to be…the stars all were aligned to bring together such unique personalities which deeply support and respect each other.”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

#happyfathersday #iloveyou #instagram #dad 🙏🏼💜

A post shared by Nicky Trebek (@nickytrebek) on

Over the years, Nicky has shown a huge amount of love for her dad on social media. She shares pictures of them together, expresses excitement and pride at Trebek’s various honors and accomplishments, and even shares the occasional Trebek meme. She also worked as a production assistant alongside her dad on Jeopardy, supporting him both virtually and in person.

He demonstrated through his on-screen interactions and his relationship with his kids the importance of kindness and being present. He was an icon, a game show legend, and an amazing dad.

That’s an easy one: Who is Alex Trebek?

“We Love You, Alex” Tributes to Iconic Jeopardy Host Pour in After His Passing

By Mark Chalifoux
Trebek
(Twitter/Jeopardy)

The world lost an icon when Alex Trebek lost his battle with pancreatic cancer over the weekend. Over his decades as the host of Jeopardy!, he was a constant in homes throughout the world. He had a profound effect on many, and the outpouring of grief and admiration for the late TV host has been massive. You even saw the love for Trebek throughout the filming of his final season of the show.

The Jeopardy GOAT himself Ken Jennings, long thought to be an heir apparent to Trebek, said the icon was the best ever at what he did.

“He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him. Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy family – which, in a way, included millions of us.”

Singer Don McLean shared that he performed at Trebek’s Christmas party in 2019, which the TV host called a “bucket list moment.” McLean said he was elegant and dignified and that it was a ‘joyous’ occasion.’

James Holzhauer, another Jeopardy champ, said one of the great privileges of his life was to spend time with Trebek while he fought the battle of his life. “You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex,” he wrote.

Even NASA sent along condolences, thanking Trebek for helping to recruit the next generation of astronauts.

Fellow game show host Pat Sajak also had fond words for Trebek.

As his final days drew closer after his diagnosis, Trebek once said how he’d want his final Jeopardy episode to go. He said on an ABC special about Jeopardy:

“What I would do on that day is tell the director, ‘Time the show down to leave me 30 seconds at the end. That’s all I want.’ And I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me…then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.’”

Alex, until we meet again, God bless and thank you.

Iconic TV Host Alex Trebek Passes Away From Battle With Cancer

By Mark Chalifoux
RIP Alex Trebek
(Getty/The Washington Post)

Because 2020 is the year that never ends, iconic TV host Alex Trebek passed away from his battle with pancreatic cancer. He had been battling cancer for a year, and had been handling it with bravery and grace. He continued to work throughout, with family and fans cheering him on. He released a memoir and even filming new episodes of Jeopardy.

The show released a short statement on Twitter confirming the news, writing: “Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex.”

It must be said, there was nobody like Trebek. He was a TV legend, having hosted Jeopardy for more than three decades. He had just started filming season 37 and was even in the studio doing new episodes as late as October 29th. And he had a unique effect on so many.

Trebek won six daytime Emmy awards in the outstanding game show host category and owns the Guinness World record for most episodes of a game show hosted. That number will likely never be topped (we’re talking more than 8,000).

There will never be another host like Trebek, with his combination of wit, intelligence, and charisma, blended into a show that made us all a little smarter.

Alex Trebek Makes Surprise Appearance at NHL Draft to Select Ottawa’s Pick

By Mike Julianelle
Trebek Makes Draft Pick
(Twitter/PeteBlackburn)

Everyone loves Alex Trebek.

One of the most stalwart television presences of our lifetimes, Trebek has been standing center stage on Jeopardy, asking questions, verifying answers, introducing contestants, and subtly shading those same contestants for 30+ years. Recently, the beloved quiz show host has been in the spotlight for his cancer diagnosis and the dignity and resolve he’s shown as he fights stage 4 pancreatic cancer and makes his way back to the show that made him a household name.

Everybody loves Trebek, but you know who loves him the most? Canada! Because Trebek, like so many of our favorite celebrities, from Michael J. Fox to Jim Carrey, from Justin Bieber to Gordon Lightfoot, is a Canuck. Last night, during the National Hockey League draft, Trebek showed up to support his country’s favorite sport, and add some spice to the proceedings.

When it came time for the Ottawa Senators to make their first draft pick, viewers were treated to the Jeopardy host himself, standing at a podium to make the announcement. Trebek graduated from the University of Ottawa, so while he may have been a “surprise guest”, as NHL commissioner Gary Bettman put it when introducing him, Trebek has ties to the Senators’ home town, which made his appearance all the more special.

As did the clever way the pick was presented, Jeopardy-style.

Trebek framed the announcement of Ottawa’s selection of German center Tim Stutzle with the third overall pick as a question from his show, in the NHL category. “The correct answer is: ‘Who is Tim Stutzle?'”, as the “Jeopardy!” theme music played in the background.

It was a fun way to add some flavor to the NHL’s all-virtual draft, and surely a treat for hockey fans to see beloved Canadian Alex Trebek doing what he does best in the service of their national pastime.

Here’s hoping he continues to stand at that podium for years to come.

Trebek Is Back! New Episodes of Jeopardy and a New Role for Ken Jennings

By Mark Chalifoux
Jeopardy Returns
(YouTube/Jeopardy)

Even pancreatic cancer can’t keep Alex Trebek down, as the iconic host returns to our TVs on September 14th for the 37th season of Jeopardy. Trebek is currently filming the episodes, and like everything else these days, COVID will have left its fingerprints on the tapings. And there’s also one nice new change, a new role for Jeopardy Champion of Champions Ken Jennings.

Trebek has been candid and open about his bout with cancer, and recently released a new memoir. And there’s no questioning Trebek’s place in the pantheon of TV personalities, as he’s unquestionably the greatest game show host of all time. One contestant went out of his way to show how much Trebek meant to everyone, a move that brought Trebek to tears and the answer quickly turned into a viral love fest for the legend.

The new season of Jeopardy, which he’s currently filming, will look a little different. Contestants will be a little further apart, and the studio audience will be gone, but these are small sacrifices to make in order to keep the staff (and Trebek himself) as safe as possible. And we’ll still get new episodes of Jeopardy, which rules.

“On a personal level, I’m excited because it gets me out of the house,” Trebek said in a statement. “It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that.”

Jennings becomes an official part of the Jeopardy crew after being one of the GOATs when it comes to contestants (and the official Champion of Champions after his win in January). He’ll be serving as a consulting producer for the series. He will present his own special video categories, develop projects, and serve as a general ambassador for the show. He is widely rumored to be an eventual heir to host the program, but hopefully, that’s not a decision that needs to be made too soon. dfdfdf

For now, it’s all good news, as we have more Jeopardy, more Ken, and more Trebek. And perhaps one day Betty White will host.

Alex Trebek Wants Betty White to Replace Him as Jeopardy Host

By Mike Julianelle
Trebek Endorses Betty
(Twitter/Jeopary Getty/Amanda Edwards)

Jeopardy has been hosted by Alex Trebek for decades now, and it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking over from the man.

Even during his recent bout with cancer, there hasn’t been much speculation about whom would replace him as host of the beloved game show, and according to Trebek himself, there’s no hurry. He’s powering through his fight with pancreatic cancer, and hopes to be back to host the show when new episodes resume this fall.

But he knows he won’t be around forever, and even though no one wants to see him go, Trebek has a question to the answer in the TV Host category: Who is Betty White?

During an interview with Good Morning America, where Trebek appeared to promote his memoir and provide a health update, he revealed that he’d love to see the apparently immortal actress take over for him at the Jeopardy podium.

Trebek, 80, has been using this joke answer for a while. He’s being self-effacing, pretending that he’s so old that even White, a sprightly 98 years old, is younger than he is.

“I joke with the audience all the time and I say, ‘Betty White,’ because they want somebody younger, somebody funnier,” Trebek explained.

In reality, the host is staying out of such decisions and surely hoping he won’t need to be replaced anytime soon.

“It’s not a decision that would be up to me. And I would not make myself available to presenting an opinion,” Trebek explained earlier this year. “I would leave it up to the people in charge.”

Here’s hoping those people in charge have a few more years before needing to start that process.

Alex Trebek Provides Optimistic Health Update and Talks About Memoir

By Mike Julianelle
Alex Trebek Health Update
(Twitter/Jeopardy)

In this day and age, it can be difficult to find common ground. Everyone has opinions, and almost every topic offers an opportunity for conflict. But every once in awhile, something comes around on which people are united.

Alex Trebek’s well-being is one of those things.

Last year, the longtime host of Jeopardy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, forcing him to take a break from the show he’s been at front and center of since the 80s. Earlier this year, we got an update on his health, and things seemed to be going okay.

He recently went on Good Morning America to discuss his fight with stage 4 cancer and the memoir he’s written, and revealed how bleak it has gotten, despite his steely and optimistic public demeanor.

“There was one day a few weeks ago,” said Trebek, “when Jeanie asked me, ‘How do you feel?’ and I said, ‘I feel like I want to die.’ It was that bad.”

Thankfully, that didn’t last, and he recently took to Twitter to share a new update on his health. He seems more hopeful than ever and is excited to get back to his show this fall.

In the video, a healthy-looking Trebek focuses more on everyone else’s struggles with the pandemic, and jokingly reveals that while he’s been home he’s been growing facial hair, and even recording some openings for summer episodes of Jeopardy. And says he’s ready to come back in the fall!

The man has been hosting the show for decades, so his work ethic shouldn’t surprise us. But hosting from home, during a pandemic, while sick himself? GMA asked how he manages.

“I’m good at faking it. Suck[ing] it up,” he explained about how he manages to work while sick. “I suddenly wake up and I’m able to perform and handle the show.” Why? “Because I like it. It’s a good job!”

Watch the whole GMA interview:

Alex Trebek’s Kids Open up About Their Dad in Father’s Day Tribute

By Mark Chalifoux
Alex Trebek's Kids Tribute
(Instagram/jeantrebek)

He’s the legendary game show host, at the twilight of his career, fighting a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer.

Who is…Alex Trebek?

OK, it’s hard to write a Jeopardy-esque question, because it’s so often spoken with such confidence the question mark feels out of place. But Trebek was in the news this week because his wife Jean wrote a touching Father’s Day tribute to him as a dad. To take it a step farther, she had his three kids answer questions about their famous dad.

From the answers of his adult grown children, you get to see a different side of the suave and self-assured game show host. For example, his son Matthew said his favorite childhood memory was having Trebek at every one of his paintball tournaments.

“Although it was a very unique spot, he still got very enthusiastic about watching and learning the game,” he said.

When asked what he’s good at, his daughter Emily said he’s “really good at his job and also fixing things around the house. I always call him if I have an issue around the house and he’ll be over within the hour with the perfect tool!”

Asked what personality they admire in their father, his daughter from his earlier marriage, Nicky, said it was his generosity.

“I personally experienced him writing thousands of thank you notes while he battled for his life,” she said. “It’s truly astounding. I honestly can’t even put it into words.”

The full post is a sweet tribute and shows a different side of Trebek. We’ve seen him as the TV host for decades, and now it’s a chance to learn about him as a dad, from his kids.