Ken Jennings Starts Hosting Deals on Jeopardy! by Alex Trebek, the legendary host of the show
Ken Jennings is the first host of Jeopardy! after the tragic death of Alex Trebek last year came to an end.
Just like in his host debut that aired on January 11, Jennings showed class through their tribute to Trebek after his final performance on February 19.
“This is a twist on my six weeks of @Jeopardy host,” the advisory producer and legendary contestant shared on Twitter, along with a photo of himself with a purple ribbon during his host presentation.
“Thank you for watching, thank you for your patience with a difficult learning curve … and, as always, thank you Alex.”
End of the run: Ken Jennings ended his six-week run as the first host of Jeopardy! after the death of Alex Trebek in November last year
The purple ribbon Jennings wore on his suit was evidence of support for research on pancreatic cancer.
Jennings, widely regarded as the greatest contestant of all time on the show, honors Trebek after each of his episodes by signing off by saying, “Thank you, Alex.”
Trebek passed away on November 8, 2020 at the age of 80 after a nearly two-year battle with cancer in the abdominal pancreas.
The Canadian resident worked through much of his attack on cancer and showed his last episode on October 29, 2020, which was ten days before his death.
Tribute: Jennings (46) thanks Trebek at the end of his six-week career as a host, as well as all the other episodes that worked
RIP: Trebek was 80 when he died on November 8, 2020, after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer
Jennings, 46, had the honor of being the first person to step behind the stage and microphone in the wake of Trebek’s death. In an appropriate tribute, he shared a few heartfelt words from him in the first minute debut, where he referred to his historic run-up to Jeopardy! in 2004.
“Sharing this stage with Alex Trebel was one of the greatest honors in my life,” he began in front of the live audience before describing himself as a host as “almost perfection for 36 years.”
‘We were blinded by his intelligence, his charm, his grace; really, there is no other word for it. ‘
Jennings holds the record for the longest finish line on Jeopardy! with 74 consecutive wins. Between his championship reign and his appearance in the tournaments over the years, his total earnings amount to $ 4,522,700.
A true honor: Jennings had the honor of being the first person to step behind the stage and microphone and host Jeopardy! in the aftermath of Trebek’s passing
BOK: Jennings holds the record for the longest finish line on Jeopardy! with 74 consecutive wins in 2004, earning more than $ 4 million at the show
Show producers have not yet appointed a full-time replacement for Trebek, but have revealed a few hosts from the celebrities for the rest of the season.
Mike Richards, executive producer of Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, take over from February 22 to March 5. He comes with a lot of experience on camera after hosting several shows, including Beauty and the Geek and Pyramid.
Among the other high-profile people who will host are former Today co-host Katie Couric, CNN anchor and reporter Anderson Cooper and actress Mayim Bialik.
Legendary run-up: the Canadian native hosted Jeopardy! for 37 seasons from its revival in 1984 to its death in 2020