“Sharing this stage with Alex Trebek was one of the greatest honors of my life,” said Jennings. “Few things in life are perfect, but Alex did this job perfectly for over 36 years, and it was even better up close. We were dazzled by his intelligence, charm and grace.”
He continued: “Like all ‘Jeopardy!’ fans, I miss Alex very much and I thank him for everything he has done for all of us. Let’s be perfectly clear: no one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek. But we can honor him by playing the game he loved. “
Jennings said that while recording the show, he also kept a special symbol in his pocket in a greeting to Trebek.
He wrote on Twitter: “A friend gave me this piece of history from the quiz show: a public ticket to Jeopardy’s first pilot! From Alex in 1983. (” ALEX TREBEK! DOOR PRIZES! “) I kept him at pocket while hosting Jeopardy! This week, as a good luck charm. “
Jennings holds the record for most wins in the show’s history and has appeared on it more than 100 times.