Inside One Of Alex Trebek's Final Monologues
- by Leland Aguilar
- in Entertaiment
- — Jan 5, 2021
While showing up for work in the midst of a grueling cancer battle is impressive, it was business as usual for Trebek. The host died two months ago, and according to the show's executive producer, Trebek's last days on set were "unbelievable". "Now today, a different kind of message".
Trebek, who had been candid about his condition, worked up until 10 days before he died, soldiering on despite debilitating treatments and the disease's toll.
He asked fans to "open up" their hands and hearts "to those who are still suffering" as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and "people who are suffering through no fault of their own". The final episodes were originally scheduled to air during the week of the Christmas holiday, however the airdate was pushed back. Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards said in an interview with Today that Trebek gives an "amazing speech" during Monday's episode. "And you will not sense that in any of these episodes".
Guests hosts will be at the Jeopardy! helm beginning next week, beginning with the show's breakout contestant Ken Jennings.
"I think a normal person would have said, "I'm not gonna show up" a year and a half before those final episodes", Richards said. His death was announced November 8.
The quiz show host had informed fans about his diagnosis in a March 6, 2019 clip that aired on the show.
"But I think that practice may have given the impression I stand by every failed joke I've ever posted here".
"This man was unbelievable", Richards said. 'Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family - which, in a way, included millions of us'.
MIKE RICHARDS: He was committed to the show.
Alex Trebek of "Jeopardy!" fame is pictured during a rehearsal for the shows Power Players Week in Washington, D.C., on April 21, 2012. "Well, there's not many people in the studio because of COVID".
