"We know who's NOT replacing Alex. You guessed it..."
Posted on 11/08/2020 9:26:05 AM PST by moviefan8
Alex Trebek -- the revered and beloved "Jeopardy!" host since 1984, whose calm but witty presence was must-see television for millions of Americans -- has died ... TMZ has learned.
A "Jeopardy!" spokesperson tells TMZ, "Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends."
The TV icon died Sunday surrounded by friends and family at his home. Alex had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer since announcing the news back in March 2019. He immediately started chemo after the diagnosis, but made no plans to retire and continued hosting his game show ... as impressively as ever.
Trebek powered through for a full year -- despite what he called "massive attacks of great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on" -- because he said he realized giving up on life would be a betrayal to his wife, God and other cancer patients.
He pointed out the odds of surviving a second year with pancreatic cancer were just 7 percent, but he hoped he'd be able to celebrate that milestone too. Sadly, he took a turn for the worse.
Alex continued to host "Jeopardy!" ... recently beginning his 37th season, and earlier this year shooting the epic 'Greatest of All Time' tournament on prime-time television.
After his initial diagnosis, there were several ups and downs for Alex. In May 2019, he announced his tumors had shrunk more than 50 percent, obviously a great sign of progress, but his numbers declined and he began another round of chemotherapy a few months later. Still, he maintained a positive outlook ... and did a lot of good throughout his ordeal.
His soothing and reassuring voice was on display when he announced having cancer. Trebek -- who was signed to host the show through 2022 -- joked, "Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years!"
His commitment to the game show was a two-way street. When Alex took a brief medical leave in 2018 to have surgery for blood clots on his brain after a nasty fall, "Jeopardy!" never aired episodes with a guest host. He also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012.
Alex started his career on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961 announcing the news, and quickly gained fame after hosting the high school quiz show, "Reach for the Top."
He introduced himself to U.S. audiences in 1973 when he hosted a new NBC show called "The Wizard of Odds." That would lead to work on a variety of game shows -- including "High Rollers" with his trademark curly hair and classic 'stache -- before landing on "Jeopardy!" ... a revival of an old show.
The show gained immense popularity with Alex at the helm ... dominating the evening game show biz along with "Wheel of Fortune."
Alex -- winner of 6 Daytime Emmy Awards for outstanding game show host -- set a Guinness World record in June 2014 for most episodes (6,829) of a game show hosted. Despite his unprecedented and hugely successful run, Alex never viewed himself as a celeb or the "star" of the show. He said as much to Harvey Levin for an episode on "Objectified."
Alex also told Levin he was seriously considering retirement before signing a contract extension. He seemed serious at the time ... naming 2 potential replacements: L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates.
Trebek was born on July 22, 1940, in Ontario, Canada. He majored in philosophy at the University of Ottawa but he had serious ambitions about a career on TV. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1998, but not before running the Olympic Torch in 1996 as it made its way to Atlanta.
Alex -- who was named an officer of the Order of Canada in 2017 for his iconic achievements -- married Elaine Kares in 1974 and they divorced in 1981. He married again in 1990 ... this time to Jean Currivan, with whom he had 2 children ... Matthew and Emily.
He was 80.
RIP
The Year of Hell continues. RIP, Alex Trebek.
I taped four shows in two days. Wish I could make money that way all the time as I would quit my daytime job!
I taped four shows in two days. Wish I could make money that way all the time as I would quit my daytime job!
He hung in there for God and to give hope to others suffering from cancer. That alone justifies the man’s life.
RIP
He fought bravely, and hopefully new medical research was learned by the doctors treating him.
Ken Jennings will be his replacement. You heard it here first.
I hate to hear that.......but not totally unexpected. We watch the old “Classic Concentration” every day with Alex as host.........RIP Alex for some good memories....
It’s like dying of ‘Covid’. He most likely didn’t die “of” cancer but a sudden complication,or event, that was somewhat related to the cancer or its treatment. People who actually die of PC wither away to almost nothing and remain bedridden, like Steve Jobs in his final days. Alex seemed to be active.
"JEOPARDY! episodes hosted by Alex will air through December 25, 2020 (his last day in the studio was October 29). The show is not announcing plans for a new host at this time."
We don't know for sure yet. As one poster said, the shows are taped well in advance of showing. Before we get to Alex's last show, we will have to see if they did a farewell for his retirement. I expected to be watching the show and hearing Alex say "this is my last show", etc. That may happen yet, unless his death was more sudden than expected.
Thank you for your service, good patriot
Curious that he and Sean Connery passed a week apart.
RIP.
Only if Norm does the show as Burt Reynolds. AKA Turd Ferguson.
Jennings has neither the voice, personality or non-controversy of Alex
He’s a flamin lib . . . .I remember his Tweets here from a few years back
They have been working Ken Jennings into the show a bit as the host for some of the categories with video. I was always under the impression that Alex was a lib, so if Jennings is, that part won't be much of a change. I'd rather have Ken Jennings do it rather than James Holzhauer. That guy had no personality at all.
They'd probably do well to get some actor who didn't become a superstar and work him into it. Alex was also an actor but he settled into the role of game show host.
Alex was quoted as saying he had to keep up his fight . . to please God
If he was a “lib” it was only for show
Jennings left no doubt. The typical smartass “LOL” demeaning s*** libs are famous for
What I think is they’ll show their bigotry against white mans and put ANOTHER BLACK in It’s so patently obvious now
You’re right, I hadn’t thought of that. RIP.
"We know who's NOT replacing Alex. You guessed it..."
Yes. It’s somewhat written down, somewhere. And it doesn’t include “game shows.”
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