JEOPARDY!’s Ken Jennings has paid a loving tribute to Alex Trebek during the season finale after he reportedly snubbed the late host on his July 22nd birthday.
Ken, 48, repeated the closing words of the legendary host.
Ken Jennings picyured with the late Alex Trebek
Ken repeated Alex’s closing words during the season finale
Just when Jeopardy! was about to wrap up, the ABC star looked directly at the camera and said: “Thanks for being with us on the Alex Trebeck stage folks!”
The TV host concluded: “As Alex used to say: So Long!”
Ken smiled as the other three contestants applauded during the finale.
Back in September 2021, Stage 10 at Sony Pictures Studios was renamed in honor of the late host.
More Jeopardy!
Alex served his hosting duties for the quiz show for over 30 years before passing away on November 8, 2020.
Back in March 2019, the TV icon revealed he had Stage IV pancreatic cancer and a tumor that spread to the soft lining of his stomach.
Alex visited Cedars-Sinai hospital in Los Angeles for a Computed Tomography (CT) scan.
The former host told the New York Times: “There comes a time where you have to make a decision as to whether you want to continue with such a low quality of life, or whether you want to just ease yourself into the next level. It doesn’t bother me in the least.
BIRTHDAY SNUB
What bothered Trebek fans was how Ken supposedly snubbed the late host on a recent installment.
On what would have been Alex’s 82nd birthday, Ken introduced the players and revealed the show categories as usual, but he did not mention his predecessor as the show ended.
The game show’s official Twitter wrote about Alex and his birthday after fans called out the program on social media.
The show wrote: “Happy 82nd birthday to the man who showed us the power of knowledge.
“Celebrate Alex’s incredible legacy by learning about the recently-opened Trebek Center at Hope of the Valley, an organization near and dear to his heart.”
TWO HOSTS
Meanwhile, the executive producers decided that Ken and his co-star Mayim Bialik, 46, will remain to co-host the show together.
The duo have been named as the permanent co-hosts for the upcoming season 39, but they will not be switching every other week.
Ken will host the TV show, which is expected to start taping in August, from September to January.
Mayim will take over the reins in January and host until the end of the season.
The Big Bang Theory actress will balance her hosting duties while filming her Fox comedy, Call Me Kat.
The Blossom star will also host Celebrity Jeopardy! and the special tournaments, while Ken will host the Second Chance Tournament and the Tournament of Champions.
fans were upset Ken did not mention Alex’s birthday on the show
Alex passed away in 2020
Ken will co-host the game show with Mayim Bialik
