Host Alex Trebek lost his battle against pancreatic cancer on Sunday at the age of 80, but a special Christmas surprise will allow fans and spectators to celebrate his legacy one last time. Trebek had already filmed a handful of episodes of Jeopardy! before his death, and his very last appearance on the iconic game show will air on December 25th, Christmas Day.
The last time Trebek filmed an episode of Jeopardy! was on October 29, as Sony Pictures Television told Variety. Normally, 10 episodes of Jeopardy! are filmed per week, and according to The Ringer, it takes about eight weeks for an episode to air.
A list of other episodes, hosted by Trebek, will also be broadcast before Christmas Day. This means that you can enjoy a series of new episodes with Trebek as host before his final approval.
Trebek hosted the show for 36 years, and Trebek’s loss is felt far and wide. Currently, he even holds the Guinness World Record for “Most game show episodes are hosted by the same person”. The host received this title back in 2014.
Sony is in no hurry to fill the host position on Jeopardy!, Tony Vinciquerra, Chairman and CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, recently told Variety.
“Today we lost a legend and a beloved member of the Sony Pictures family,” Vinciquerra said. “For 37 amazing years, Alex was that comforting voice, that moment of escape and entertainment at the end of a long, hard day for millions of people around the world. He was the heart and soul of ‘Jeopardy!’, and he will be deeply missed by all who made him a part of their lives”.
Trebek spoke loudly about his fight against pancreatic cancer. He announced the diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer for 2019. In October, however, Trebek seemed to accept that his life was coming to an end. “I have lived a good life, a fulfilled life, and I am nearing the end of that life,” Trebek told USA Today.
In July, Trebek published his memoirs The Answer Is… Reflection on my Life. One particular quote shocked the Jeopardy! fan base by sounding as if Trebek was ready to give up cancer treatment altogether. He specified the quote in a social media article published in July. “My current numbers are very good, but we will have to be patient with this new immunotherapy program I am participating in,” he said. “However, if it is no longer successful, I would go back to my previous chemo treatment – NOT cancel all treatments”.
A message from Alex: pic.twitter.com/8Nz9qAXtmc
– The danger! (@Jeopardy) July 22, 2020
Jeopardy! is broadcast from Monday through Saturday at 19:00 ET in New York, although the program has sporadic hours elsewhere. You can search for Jeopardy! airtime in your own location by using the show’s website here.
