Ken Jennings bought candid concerning the final time he noticed former Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek earlier than his loss of life. The present host opened up throughout a Q&A for his e-book, The Full Kennections, on August 12, in entrance of followers at Lake Forest Park, Washington.
Jennings informed the viewers that he and Trebek had been backstage at Jeopardy! shortly earlier than Alex’s loss of life, in accordance with MLT Information. “He was, you recognize, generally in a variety of ache,” Ken Jennings shared. “Then Johnny [Gilbert] would say his title, and like magic, he would simply stroll on the market and be Alex Trebek, you recognize, 37 years of sense reminiscence and expertise, and he might simply flip it on.”
Jennings remembers asking Trebek how he was doing, to which he replied, “Lots of people don’t get to listen to the good issues stated about them after they’re gone. I’m nonetheless right here.’” Jennings went on to say that Trebek used to get “tens of hundreds of items of mail,” together with quilts, letters, and cures.
“I feel he had hosted that present for many years with out actually realizing what he meant to us, and it was solely within the closing months that he noticed how vital he was to an enormous viewing viewers. And I used to be actually touched by that.”
Jennings stated that regardless of Trebek not being a hugger, they hugged on the finish of the interplay.
“If there’s a distinction between my internet hosting and Alex, I’m, like, simply not nearly as good,” Jennings informed the gang. “It’s that I’ve been a contestant earlier than. So once I see the gamers, I do know the emotional state they’re in. It’s very intense to play Jeopardy!.”
Alex Trebek died on November 8, 2020, on the age of 80, from stage 4 pancreatic most cancers. Trebek started internet hosting Jeopardy! in 1984 and stopped in October 2020. His final episode aired in January 2021. Ken Jennings then took over with Mayim Bialik as cohost. In December 2023, he grew to become the only real host of the sport present.
The host additionally gave an replace on the beloved announcer, Johnny Gilbert. “Gilbert has by no means missed a present in 42 years,” he stated. Jennings added that he’s in his 90s and is in “phenomenal form.” “That’s his hair, consider it or not,” he added. Nevertheless, Gilbert doesn’t are available in to the studio anymore and information all the intros from his dwelling.
Jeopardy!, Season 42, September 8, verify native listings