The first “Jeopardy!” episode without host Alex Trebek aired on Monday.
After the tragic death of the iconic game show host last year due to pancreatic cancer, “Jeopardy!” has chosen to line up several guest hosts until a replacement is named, and frequent champion Ken Jennings is first on the list.
He took the stage for Monday’s episode and, in Trebek style, offered a brief monologue in honor of the late presenter before starting the game.
“You know, sharing this stage with Alex Trebek was one of the biggest honors of my life,” he started. “Few things in life are perfect, but Alex did this job perfectly for over 36 years and was even better up close.”
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Jennings continued, “We were dazzled by your intelligence, your charm, your grace; there is really no other word for it.”
The star then seemed to be temporarily suffocated.
“Like all ‘Jeopardy!’ fans, I miss Alex very much and I thank him for everything he did for all of us, “concluded Jennings. “Let’s be perfectly clear, no one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek. But we can honor him by playing the game we love.”
Big and big, fans were pleased to see Jennings and were fans of her emotional message.
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“#jeopardy really isn’t the same without Alex Trebek, but Ken Jennings offers * some * sense of normalcy,” a fan tweeted. “Except I started crying during your tribute to Alex at the beginning of the show.”
“Not me crying instantly during Ken Jennings’ monologue about Alex in Jeopardy,” said another.
A third added: “Ken Jennings did a great job on his first episode. He made a very touching opening statement and it was very personal. Alex Trebek loved Jeopardy and had Ken Jennings in high regard. Nobody can replace him, but I think Ken has replaced Alex proud.”
“Ken Jennings here making me cry,” observed yet another.
“Watching #Jeopardy and Ken Jennings is great, but I still miss Alex,” a fifth viewer noticed.
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Another audience member praised Jennings for being “a good contrast” to Trebek and offered his “vote” to make him the “permanent host”.
The final episode of danger with Trebek aired on Friday and elicited emotional reactions from viewers.
A week ago, the iconic presenter started an episode with a touching message of hope at the beginning of the show.
“Hello, ladies and gentlemen, do you remember that about a month ago, I asked you all to take a moment to thank you for all the blessings you enjoy in your lives,” he began. “Now, today, a different kind of message.”
Trebek continued: “This is ‘the time for giving’, I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones, but today I would like you to take it a step further.”
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He asked fans to “open” their hands and hearts “to those who are still suffering” as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and “people who are suffering without guilt”.
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“We are trying to build a more kind and kind society,” continued Trebek. “And if we all contribute a little bit, we will get there.”
Trebek was the host of “Jeopardy!” since 1984.