On Monday , January 4 , the previous episode ofJeopardy!began with a content fromAlex Trebekasking everyone to “ open up your mitt and open up your hearts ” to people affected byCOVID-19 . “ We ’re trying to build a gentler , kinder society , ” the longtime host say . “ And if we all pitch in just a little routine , we ’re going to get there . ”
It was an especially go statement coming from Trebek , who was receiving treatment for pancreatic Cancer the Crab while shoot that episode in fall 2020 . Less than two weeks later , on November 8 , he go through away from the disease . Last dark ’s episode was the first of Trebek ’s final five episode , which breeze this week . Friday ’s program will be attach to by a testimonial to the dear host , who emceed the plot show for almost four decades .
In anappearanceonTODAY , Jeopardy!executive producer Mike Richards described Trebek ’s dedication to derive to the studio for what would be his net exploit academic session as “ Herculean . ”
“ He was in tremendous pain . He was 10 days away from blow over away , ” Richards said . “ And you will not smell out any of that in these sequence . He is strong , he sounds great , he ’s funny , and he ’s amazing . ”
TheLos Angeles Timesreportsthat Trebek had of late undergo operating theatre before the last tape recording , and he called Richards to reassure him that he was by all way still plan to show up to the studio apartment to immortalise a ticket of new episode . “ ‘ I ’ll be in to tape . I was able-bodied to feed Jell - O today , ” I. A. Richards call up Trebek enunciate . “ ‘ Do not cancel . I will be there . ’ ”
Watching Trebek ’s concluding new installment this week will no doubt cue fans just how difficult — or even impossible — it’ll be for producer to find a host who can equal his earmark warmth , card , and exuberance for the show and itscontestants . Until they can find a permanent successor , they ’ve planned a progression of Edgar Guest host . ThefirstisJeopardy!GOAT — andKennections writer — Ken Jennings , whose first sequence is determine to air Monday , January 11 .
[ h / tLos Angeles Times ]
