Alex Trebek delivered a powerful message about unity and giving on Monday night “Jeopardy!” – one of the last episodes that the dear host recorded before he died at the age of 80, on November 8, after a battle with pancreatic cancer in stage 4.
“You remember that, about a month ago, I asked all of you to take a moment to thank for all the blessings you enjoy in your life,” he said. “Now, today, a different kind of message. This is the time to give. I know that you want to be generous to your family, your friends, your loved ones. “
He continued with a challenge for fans who watched his series for more than 8,200 episodes.
“But today, I would like you to take it a step further. I would like you to open your hands and your hearts to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19. People who are suffering without guilt, ”he said. “We are trying to build a more kind and kind society and if we all contribute – just a little – we will get there.”
The episode, which was filmed in October, ends with a dedication to reading Trebek: “Forever in our hearts, always our inspiration”.
His final episode, scheduled to air on Friday, will include “a special tribute to the life and work of the man who ran America’s favorite quiz show with skill, style and sophistication for over 36 years,” according to a statement from “Jeopardy! ”Producer Sony Pictures Television. The last week of episodes was scheduled to air during Christmas week, but Sony postponed them so that fans could enjoy their final moments with Trebek.
Mike Richards, the game show’s executive producer, said on NBC’s “Today” that the monologue that viewers watched on Monday night gave the team chills – and they immediately burst into applause.
“In this very special and unbelievable final week, he goes out and gives a talk about the importance of union and staying together and that the world is struggling, but we have to get through this together,” said Richards. “We had chills. There are specific moments in ‘Jeopardy!’ when you clap, and then there are times when you are quiet. There aren’t that many people in the studio because of COVID, and we all burst into applause. We were so moved that we had to applaud ”.
Richards also revealed that Trebek, who announced his cancer diagnosis for the first time in March 2019, was hospitalized the week before filming the last batch of episodes. The Canadian host’s last day of filming was October 29, 2020.
“He was an absolute warrior,” Richards told “Today”. “And what he was able to do by going back to the set to record the final episodes … was Herculean. He was in great pain, he had 10 days to die, and you will not feel any of that in these episodes ”.
Trebek, who left his wife, Jean Currivan Trebek, and two children, also insisted that the last week of recording was not canceled, Richards said, despite his hospitalization.
“He calls me and says, ‘Mike, I’m going to be fine. I will record. I was able to eat gelatin today ‘”, recalls Richards. “And I said, ‘Alex, this is great, but it doesn’t mean that you’re going to be ready to host five episodes of a game show, which is a huge effort.’ And he said, ‘Don’t cancel. I’ll be there.’ “
So far, “Jeopardy!” has not yet announced who will take the position of longtime game show host – although some names have been released, including names like George Stephanopoulos. However, there will be several interim hosts that will be familiar to “Jeopardy!” fans, including champion Ken Jennings, who recently preemptively apologized for past “insensitive” tweets – which many believe was clearing his name before officially taking over.
As for Trebek, Richards said he offered some suggestions, but avoided giving a general recommendation, opting for Sony Pictures Television to make the final choice.
“He mentioned a few names, but he wanted to stay out of it and knew that we would do a good job looking for people and that we would find someone,” said Richards. “No one was going to replace him and he knew it. Humble as he was, he knew there was no chance of that. And that he is an intelligent and incredible person who loves the show, that’s what he wanted. “
In January 2020, Trebek said he would need just 30 seconds to give his final shutdown message to fans, who saw him decorate the screen as a calming but spirited force in the fast-paced game show since 1984.
“I’m going to say goodbye and say to people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me, because I have nothing to say. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love, attention and respect that you showed me … then they will be a success and the series will continue to be a success, ”he said. “And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.”