Will ‘Jeopardy’ Host Alex Trebek Retire?
In a battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer since March, Alex Trebek has had a long road to recovery. Despite several rounds of chemotherapy and resuming his role as “Jeopardy!” host in August, Trebek once more had to return to his chemo treatment following an ineffective round of immunotherapy.
Fan concern for Trebek’s health has seemingly assisted in the longtime game show host’s recovery, yet many feared he would suspend his role as “Jeopardy!” host following health concerns. New evidence, provided by People, suggests that isn’t happening in the slightest. Although enduring various rounds of chemotherapy treatments, well-wishes have prevailed in keeping Trebek on “Jeopardy!” for the foreseeable future.
“He has no plans to quit, and is absolutely not announcing his retirement [anytime soon],” said a co-worker told People.
Trebek likewise waved off the health concerns and any potential “Jeopardy!” replacement, claiming “We’ll play it by ear,” back in October. The 79-year-old game host, who has worked on “Jeopardy!” for 35 years (and nearly 50 in game show hosting in general) has maintained a relatively busy schedule of late, hosting an annual holiday get-together and filming an ABC special alongside his wife, Jean Currivan.
“It’s when I see him in pain and I can’t help him,” Currivan explained to Michael Strahan on the hardest experiences dealing with Trebek’s health concerns in the ABC special. “And when he doesn’t eat right. When he has too much diet soda.”
Trebek himself expresses similar feelings of hope and future productivity following a steady recovery from his condition. Given his firm nature and outward radiance as “Jeopardy!” host, the fearful concerns over Trebek dying appear to be far from the host’s mind. As he said himself amid a live broadcast in October, “I’m not afraid of dying.”
Trebek relays a similar sentiment during his ABC interview with Strahan, “I just look at it as it’s a part of life. Does that mean I’m courageous because I’m dealing with it? No. I could be scared to death and I’d still have to deal with it.”
The “Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time” tournament begins on Jan. 7 and has given Trebek much to think about on how he could exit far into the future. On the nature of his untimely exit from “Jeopardy!,” Trebek explained that he’s not only mulled it over but “rehearsed it already,” despite it not being anytime soon.
“It will be a significant moment for me," Trebek said.
Watch the ABC special "What Is Jeopardy? Alex Trebek and America’s Most Popular Quiz Show" on Thursday at 8 p.m. EST and don't miss his hosting of "Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time" on Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. EST.
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