The first “Jeopardy!” episode without host Alex Trebek aired Monday.
Following the tragic death of the iconic game show host last year due to pancreatic cancer, “Jeopardy!” chose to appoint several hosts until a replacement is appointed, and regular champion Ken Jennings is first on the list.
He appeared on stage for Monday’s episode and, in Trebek’s manner, presented a short monologue in honor of the deceased host before starting the match.
“You know, it was one of the greatest honors in my life to share this stage with Alex Trebek,” he began. “There are not many things in life that are perfect, but Alex has done this job pretty perfectly for over 36 years, and it was even better up close.”
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Jennings continues: ‘We were blinded by his intelligence, his charm, his grace; there really is no other word for it. ‘
It then turned out that the star was temporarily suffocating.
“Like all ‘Jeopardy!’ fans, I miss Alex a lot and I thank him for everything he has done for all of us, ‘Jennings concluded. “Let us be absolutely clear, no one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek. But we can honor him by playing the beloved game. “
Fans were very happy to see Jennings and loved his emotional message.
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“#jeopardy really is not the same without Alex Trebek, but Ken Jennings offers * a * feeling of normalcy,” tweeted a fan. “Except I started crying at the beginning of the show during his tribute to Alex.”
“Not that I immediately sobbed during Ken Jennings’ monologue about Alex on Jeopardy,” said another.
A third added: “Ken Jennings did a good job in his first episode. He made a very moving opening statement and was quite pleasant. Alex Trebek was very fond of Jeopardy and thinks a lot of Ken Jennings. No one can ever replace him, “But I think Ken did Alex. Proud.”
“Ken Jennings out here makes me cry,” did anyone else notice.
“Watching #Jeopardy and Ken Jennings is great, but I still miss Alex,” a fifth viewer noticed.
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Another audience member praised Jennings because he was a “good contrast” to Trebek and offered their “voice” to make him the “permanent host”.
The last dangerous episode with Trebek was broadcast on Friday and provoked emotional reactions from the viewers.
A week ago, the iconic host kicked off an episode with a poignant message of hope at the top of the show.
“Hello ladies and gentlemen, you will remember that about a month ago I asked you all to thank you for a moment for all the blessings you enjoy in your lives,” he began. “Now today, a different kind of message.”
Trebek continues: “This is ‘the season of giving’. I know you want to be generous with your family, friends, loved ones, but today I want you to go a step further.”
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He urged fans to ‘open their hands and hearts’ to those who are still suffering “because of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and ‘people suffering without their own guilt’.
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“We are trying to build a softer, friendlier society,” Trebek continued. “And if we all just work in a little bit, we’ll get there.”
Trebek hosted ‘Jeopardy!’ since 1984.