Ailing Trebek aims for kind legacy

“Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek has no immediate plans to retire, he told TV critics on Wednesday.

But when he does, he’d like to be known as a “nice guy.”

He certainly cemented that impression during an appearance Wednesday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour. He could also throw in “popular guy.”

Trebek took the lion’s share of questions from the critics during a session promoting “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time” — despite the fact three champion contestants, James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings and Brad Rutter, were all onstage with him. And when the trio did get asked questions, those questions were often about working with Trebek.

But the 79-year-old Canadian was quick to fob off suggestions that the success of the quiz show is down to him.

“Keep in mind that my success to a great extent has depended on the success of the game,” Trebek said, adding that if someone else had hosted “Jeopardy!” for the past 36 years that person would be the one reaping the praises.

He also said there’s a “pity factor” at work in the attention he’s receiving, although he is grateful for all the prayers and well wishes he’s had since being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year.

Trebek said he has some more tests Thursday and expects to find out in another week or so where things stand with his prognosis.

“I have good days and bad days,” said Trebek, adding he didn’t feel he was at his best during taping of “The Greatest of All Time” — although the three contestants all said they were in awe of his skills.

“If anybody is irreplaceable on TV it’s this guy here,” said Jennings. “You wonder how he’s doing and you get there (on set) and he’s still Alex Trebek, the last of the great old school broadcasters.”

Trebek was a little more critical of his performance, saying he has slowed down in the adlibbed portions of the show. But he doesn’t see retirement coming in the near future, he added.

“As long as I feel my skills have not diminished too much and as long as I’m enjoying bright people like these three … then I’ll continue doing it.”

Asked what he’ll miss when the time comes, he said it will be “the 30 minutes I spend onstage with the contestants.”

“I love spending time with bright people. I hate spending time with stupid people.”

As to what he’d like his legacy to be, Trebek said: “He was a nice guy and that he was the best kind of quiz-show host in that he always seemed to be rooting for the contestants; he wanted them to perform at their best.”