Final Episode Of 'Jeopardy' Hosted By Alex Trebek—Release Date And Further Information

Nov 10, 2020 by apost team

After the tragic news that cherished game show host Alex Trebek, who made his way into America's heart with his nightly appearances hosting Jeopardy! for over 35 years, passed away Sunday morning aged 80, the world has been in mourning. Alex had been battling stage IV pancreatic cancer since 2019. 

Now, the game show has announced that there are more episodes featuring Alex left to air, with the last ones recorded just 10 days before he passed.

The initial news of his death was shared by the game show's Twitter on Sunday, November 8, with a tweet stating:

"Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex."

Although Trebek had been very open and honest about his diagnosis the past two years, even speaking openly about his mortality, his death still came as a shock—as an emotional shock, that is—to many. 

Alex had been hosting Jeopardy! since it debuted in 1984 and had even set a Guinness World Record as the person to host the most episodes of a game show, totaling an incredible 8,200+ episodes.

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Famously discussing his desire to continue working as long as he could, it's now been revealed that Alex worked just 10 days before the day that he died. The show's executive producer, Mike Richards, spoke to CNN about the emotional moment, saying the crew knew change was upon them as they were only able to record three episodes rather than the usual five. He explained:

“He was in pain, and we knew it. I had chills the entire tape day…He gives a speech talking about togetherness, how important family is, and it will resonate even more now. It was so beautiful; we were all in tears.”

Alex had hosted a number of awards shows before his iconic turn on Jeopardy! but it was this one that earned him widespread acclaim, including a Television Critics Association Lifetime Achievement Award, as well as seven Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host.

These last episodes that Trebek had recorded will air through December, with the final episode scheduled for Christmas Day on December 25, 2020. For now, the show hasn't yet disclosed any information about the show's future.

Amid the sad news, fans and former contestants gave tributes to the beloved host, including legendary Jeopardy! alumni Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer, who honored Trebek with their own social media posts. Jennings posted a sweet photo of himself with Trebek on Twitter, along with a sweet tribute:

"Alex wasn't just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I'm grateful for every minute I got to spend with him. Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family—which, in a way, included millions of us."

Meanwhile, Holzhauer wrote in his tribute:

"It was one of the great privileges of my life to spend time with this courageous man while he fought the battle of his life. You will never be replaced in our hearts, Alex."

Trebek first announced his diagnosis through the Jeopardy! YouTube channel in March 2019, keeping with his "long-time policy of being open and transparent." The host told fans he had been diagnosed that same week with stage IV pancreatic cancer, an illness that "50,000 other people in the United States" are diagnosed with each year. 

In true Alex Trebek fashion, he told fans he did not plan on stepping down as the host of Jeopardy!—and he remained true to his word until the very end. 

Despite his heartbreaking diagnosis, Trebek remained positive through and through. Jennifer Tomazic, a journalist at WPXI news who interviewed the late show host this February, spoke of his unwavering positivity in an article she wrote that same month. 

"You wouldn't know he's in a fight for his life by watching Alex Trebek at work," Tomazic wrote. "Many close to him say he's the first one in the office, at 6 a.m. some days, reading through all the questions and answers and meeting with producers."

During their interview, Trebek spoke of how "humbled" he felt as he received messages of support from fans in both the USA and Canada. 

"The response from people all over America and Canada with regard to my current health situation is humbling, really," Trebek said. "I had no idea that our show and myself had such an impact on the lives of so many people out there."

Alex Trebek was born in Ontario, Canada, on July 22, 1940. He first started his career in television in the '60s at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, before moving to the United States in 1973 to work as a game show host. In 1984, Trebek joined Jeopardy! and has hosted the show ever since.

He is survived by his wife, Jean Currivan-Trebek, and their two children, Matthew and Emily. Our deepest condolences go out to Alex Trebek’s family during this difficult time. 

While the sad news of Alex Trebek's passing won't change, it's uplifting to know we have more episodes of his work to see. Are you a longtime fan of the show? Tell us your positive memories of Alex and Jeopardy! in the comments, then be sure to pass this on to your friends and family who are fans.