Alex Trebek’s final episode of “Jeopardy!”, which airs this evening, will conclude with a moving tribute to the legendary game-show host, who died on Nov. 8.
The minute-and-a-half-long package includes clips from his earliest days on the “Jeopardy!” stage 37 years ago through the mustache-less modern era, showing Trebek at his most charming and playful — dressed up as Kiss’ Gene Simmons and the Statue of Liberty, and good-naturedly conversing with contestants.
The tribute ends with a dedication to Trebek, “Forever in our Hearts, Always our Inspiration.”
Watch the whole video below:
Trebek’s final episodes this week began with him calling on viewers to “build a kinder, gentler society.” And as Variety TV critic Daniel D’Addario put it, “the public mourning of Trebek wasn’t solely about missing a familiar presence, or honoring a person suffering with dignity and stoicism in the public eye. In a media landscape that lately rewards attention-seeking, Trebek’s ability to act as a reflector of glory was rare and special, and will be missed.”
Monday’s episode will begin with a series of interim guest hosts, starting with familiar face and “Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time” tournament champ Ken Jennings. At a recent press junket for ABC’s “The Chase,” which features Jennings, the trivia buff told Variety that he is “with the audience in not wanting to see me or any other guest host out there, because in a perfect world, that would be Alex every night, that’s who I want to see.”
“But it’s a show with a huge fanbase that counts on it every night as a ritual, it’s a show Alex wanted to make sure outlived him,” said Jennings. “So I’m not thrilled about it, but I’m happy to do my part for my country and my game show and fill in as long as they need somebody in the chair, but it’s a tough transition.”