Alex Trebek *AP
On Sunday, November 8, 2020, the world lost Alex Trebek, who hosted Jeopardy! since the show’s revival in 1984 up until his death in 2020 for a total of 37 seasons. Trebek had been battling pancreatic cancer (stage 4) since March 2019 when he was diagnosed with the disease. He fought cancer valiantly, inspiring others to be brave when fighting cancer, but in the end, it took him. Trebek inspired countless people, with his near perfect diction and education offering a program where people can both learn and have a little fun at the same time.
Before the show airs, Alex Trebek would field questions from the audience. One gentlemen asked Alex if he could have his tie. During the commercial break, Alex accommodated the man, but told him, “Before I give this to you, this was a gift from Phyllis Diller (A well-known comedian in her day). Now, I am bequeathing this tie to you.”
Several contestants, when answering Final Jeopardy! would put down, “We love you Alex!” as a final answer. One contestant put down a final answer “GHOST” and underneath he put, “Greatest Host of Syndicated TV.” He had Pat Sajak crossed off and put down Alex Trebek. Anther time when they had the 3 top contestants of all time and Trebek and the three gentlemen made an agreement all play the game without their pants on. Alex complied and when he asked the cameraman to pan behind the contestants’ podium, they backed off the challenge and all 3 had their pants on. Alex promptly walked off the set, went back to the dressing room and put his pants on.
On one of the Teen Tournaments, the Final Jeopardy! question had to do with an politician from history. The teenager who had a tremendous lead answered, “I don’t know who it is, some old guy, but I don’t care because I know I’m going home a Jeopardy winner with $75,000.” Alex called him over and laughed.
Trebek’s death is one of many depressing events in 2020. It was incredibly sad when the executive producer of Jeopardy! came on the television screen before the show on Monday (11/9/20) speaking about Trebek’s death, and how his final show will be aired on Christmas Day.
I don’t watch a lot of television anymore, just the news, and a few select programs, but my brother Anton, and my mom (and my dad until he passed away this past March) always watch Jeopardy! together (or sometimes with Carolyn or my husband, Paul), but we always watch. How do we do? That depends on the topics of the questions.
It will be a difficult job to fill the shoes of Alex Trebek. There are a few suggestions such as LeVar Burton (Star Trek: The Next Generation and Reading Rainbow) or Ken Jennings (GOAT Jeopardy! Champion). But Jeopardy! will never be the same no matter who hosts it.
2020 has been a tough year for everyone. As Anton puts it, “Fun is cancelled for 2020.” Life is changing drastically, and nothing will ever be the same again. With increasing Covid numbers, life has been a challenge to many.
We can only hope things will get better. There were announcements on the news that several companies have developed a vaccine which are in trial stages and seem promising. Let’s hope they do.
K. Massopust, C. Maxwell &
A. Massopust III
