The last five episodes Alex Trebek recorded as the beloved longtime host of “Jeopardy!” airs from Monday.
Trebek, who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in November, will be honored on Friday’s screening of his final episode with “ a special tribute to the life and work of the man who captained America’s Favorite Quiz Show with skill, style and sophistication for 36+ years, ‘according to a statement from’ Jeopardy! producer Sony Pictures Television.
Trebek’s final episodes were originally scheduled for Christmas week, but the producers moved showtimes as they said the holidays might be too chaotic for viewers to tune into.
The Canadian-American game show host announced his cancer diagnosis in March 2019, but went on to run episodes for the 2020-21 season before passing away at the age of 80.
Producers say he didn’t know that what would eventually become his last show would in fact be his last.
“Danger!” will continue to air new episodes starting January 11 with guest host and Ken Jennings, winner of a lifetime show of $ 4,370,700, at the helm.
The show has not appointed a new permanent host to replace Trebek, but bookies are already betting on its successor, with Jennings, George Stephanopoulos, LeVar Burton, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Pat Sajak among the front runners.