‘Jeopardy!’ tribute tugs at the heart
“So long, everybody.” Legendary game show host Alex Trebek posthumously ended his historic 36-year run as “Jeopardy!” host on Jan. 8 with his final episode, which aired more than two months after he died of pancreatic cancer in November at age 80.
The episode was taped Oct. 29, just 10 days before his death.
“Jeopardy!” sent Trebek off with a moving montage that highlighted the personality many people came to know and love through their televisions.
The video, which aired ahead of the show’s closing credits, is set to the tune of Peter’s Allen’s “Once Before I Go.” It is posted on the “Jeopardy!” Youtube page: youtube.com/watch?v=arsstqahhva.
From retro shots of Trebek’s iconic mustache to sweet footage of his children (Matthew and Emily Trebek) on “family visiting day,” the tribute serves as a bittersweet encore that deeply resonated with fans.
“We all told ourselves we’d be ready, that the last few weeks have prepared us for tonight. I think it’s safe to say we’ve been lying to ourselves,” tweeted @cspotweet.
“The tears are going to flow. But that’s ultimately a testament to the sheer goodness of Alex Trebek.”
User @Godofgrind added, “Tonight will not be easy.”
Ken Jennings, crowned the greatest “Jeopardy!” player of all time in January, started his six-week run as the first interim host on Jan. 11.
He has taped 30 episodes so far. In honor of Trebek’s legacy, here’s a look at some of his best moments on “Jeopardy!”
Trebek calls for a ‘gentler, kinder society’
Trebek opened one of his final “Jeopardy!” episodes with a heartfelt message of community and togetherness amid the coronavirus pandemic.
“I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones,” he said in an episode that aired Jan. 4.
“But today, I’d like you to go one step further. I’d like you to open up your hands and open up your heart to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19, people who are suffering through no fault of their own.”
Trebek said we could “build a gentler, kinder society” if “we all pitch in just a little bit.”
‘I learned English because of you’
Contestant Burt Thakur tearfully thanked Trebek for positively affecting his life after taking home $20,400 during an episode aired Nov. 6, just days before Trebek died on Nov. 8.
When Trebek asked Thakur whether he has “any family members back home cheering” him on, Thakur, who’s from India, shared a touching story.
“You know, here’s a true story, man. I grew up, I learned English because of you,” Thakur told Trebek.
“And so, my grandfather, who raised me – I’m gonna get tears right now – I used to sit on his lap and watch you every day, so it’s a pretty special moment for me, man.”
‘We (heart) you Alex!’
Contestant Dhruv Gaur put his heart on his screen, literally, writing “We (heart) you Alex!” instead of a Final Jeopardy answer during an episode that aired Nov. 11, 2019.
The gesture caught host Trebek, who was battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the time, by surprise. His voice cracked, noting the contestant bet big on the sweet note.
“That’s very kind of you, thank you. It cost you $1,995. You’re left with $5,” he said, his voice trembling. “OK.”
Immediately after the 2019 episode aired, #Weloveyoualex began trending on Twitter. Trebek first announced his diagnosis in March 2019.
A hairy debate
Trebek caused an uproar after unveiling a bearded look during the 35th season premiere, on Sept. 10, 2018.
“No need to inquire how I spent my summer vacation,” Trebek quipped. “Things got a little out of hand.
“Hopefully, it won’t be a distraction for our players.”
Oh, it is a distraction. Trebek even earned his own hashtag #Trebeard.