The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Georgia’s ‘ Jeopardy!’ players mourn ‘ arbiter of truth’
Alex Trebek’s death from pancreatic cancer has saddened fans around the world — especially former “Jeopardy!” players, many of whom live in Georgia.
“The news is absolutely gutting,” said Dhruv Gaur of Gainesville, the “Jeopardy!” 2019 college champ. He cited Trebek’s steadying personality for the show’s enduring success, calling him“someone who wouldn’ t fade into the background but also not over shadow the game itself. I think the fact that many people looked at him as both a steady influence aswell as an arbiter of truth also speaks to his importance.”
Over 36 years, Trebek hosted more than 8,200 shows with 15,000- plus contestants. He posed “answers” to contestants more than 450,000 times.
If you tried to watch all his episodes consecutively, without commercials, it would take four months.
The show under Trebek’s watch remained a ratings champion even as a heavier slice of the potential audience has shifted away from traditional television.
Trebek died at 80. He announced his diagnosis last year.
The show’s relevance hit new heights last year when controversial James Holzhauer made headlines chasing “Jeopardy!” records. This led to a prime- time champion of champions tournament last year, a cherry on top to Trebek’s long tenure.
Trebek recently had been taping new episodes. Chamblee’s Mark Dawson, who won the Tournament of Champions in 2003 and earned more than $ 300,000 in 13 episodes over the years, said he had heard no talk about Trebek’s condition.
“We should all consider this last year with Alex to have been a gift, a blessing,” Dawson said. “That he was able to continue all these months has been an illustration of the strength of character of the man, a dedication to his life’s work and to fans of the show.”
Dawson’ s brother was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2015 and died within nine months.
“I have some under understanding of what Alex went through because Iwas with my brother much of his last months,” he said. “It takes a helluva lot of fortitude to carry on as Alex did.”
Soyia Ellison, assistant director of communications at the Carter Center and a former Atlanta Journal- Constitution editor, competed on the show in 2018.
“In so many ways, Alex Trebek was ‘ Jeopardy!’ Itwas the thrill of a lifetime not just to be on the show but to share the same stage with him,” Ellison said. “He was such a pro. I will miss his sly grin and the twinkle in his eye when he gently teased a contestant. It’s hard to imagine watching the show without him as the host.”
Adam Stone, an associate professor of political science at Georgia State University, finished a distant third last year in a “Jeopardy!” game won by Holzhauer.
“Hewas authentic,” Stone said of Trebek. “Hewas just like you see him on TV.” He recalled his wife, Julie, teasing him when Trebek rebuked him in that Trebek way by saying, “Pay more attention to the category.”
Julie Stone used to say that to him as well.
The only current game show host who has longer tenure is 74- year- oldPat Sajak on “The Wheel of Fortune,” which usually airs in tandem with “Jeopardy!” “Jeopardy!” airs at 7: 30 p. m. weekdays on WXIA- TV.