One of the things we have been missing most during this difficult time is the bright spot in our day. That bright spot comes with Alex Trebek hosting Jeopardy weeknights on ABC. Well, on September 14th, he is back doing what he loves and what we love him doing.
However, it is going to have a new feel because of the COVID-19 guidelines. It is going to be harder for the contestants to cheat off of each other during Final Jeopardy because their podiums are now 6′ apart. They are also located a safe distance from Trebek, who is in a high-risk group because of his age and cancer status.
“I feel good, and I feel excited because once again JEOPARDY! has demonstrated that it’s at the forefront of television programming,” Trebek said. “I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I’m excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that.”
While he is getting out of the house, people who want to be on the show don’t have to leave their homes to audition. That is because this season, wannabe contestants can do it virtually by first taking the Anytime Test. If you pass that test, then you have a chance of moving forward to the Zoom auditions.
That is the new contestants. An old contestant is joining the show this season; Ken Jennings has taken on the role of Consulting Producer. Jeopardy’s GOAT will “present his own special video categories, develop projects, assist with contestant outreach, and serve as a general ambassador for the show.” His first episode airs on September 15th.
BTW When I finished taking the Anytime Test, they told me I would be better off auditioning for Are You Smarter Than a Kindergartener?
Ever since March, Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune stopped filming new episodes because of the coronavirus pandemic. Now, Deadline is reporting that both shows are getting back to work.
Alex Trebek is starting this week, while Pat Sajak and Vanna White are hoping to start next week. The shows will feel the same but look a little different. There will be a much bigger diastance between the contestants from each other and also the hosts. There goes cheating off your neighbor during Final Jeopardy.
The crews of both shows will be given PPE and be tested frequently. Only essential crew members will be allowed on the set. The contestants will also be tested before they go on the show.
Everyone wants to make sure that everyone is safe from COVID-19 as best as they can.
I think this will be really good for Trebek, who is fighting cancer. Working on the show will be great medicine for him. He needs the medicine because we need him.
Tomorrow is Alex Trebek’s 80th birthday. Even though he has no plans on retiring, Good Morning America’s TJ Holmes asked the host who he wants to replace him on Jeopardy when that time comes. Trebek said that he wants someone younger and funnier, so he went with his good friend Betty White. If you think Trebek smack talks the contestants, wait until Miss Betty has the power.
Trebek, who is battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer, also talked about what his fans mean to him. He said, “They are the most important elements in my life outside of my family and friends. I can’t help but to be touched by what they have to say and by what I mean to them. And it is humbling. It is nice to be humbled.” We are humbled by him warmth and generosity.
Trebek gave us a gift, today his memoir The Answer Is… Reflections on My Life is out. In this interview, we found out that he curses a lot in it. That makes me want to read it even more and makes me adore him more than I do now. What is, Who knew he swears?
Yesterday, Alex Trebek gave us an update on his stage IV pancreatic cancer, and he looked like he was doing. Well, looks can be deceiving.
Today, The New York Times revealed what was going on behind the scenes a few weeks ago when he made that video. He woke up that morning feeling like crap and in a lot of pain. He was not sure if he had the energy to tape the introductions for the upcoming repeat Jeopardy episode. However, there is an adrenialine rush that takes over when you go on camera. That is what he saw.
Last year, Trebek told us he was doing better, but now his prognosis has worsened. So much so, there was a day that he wanted to die. He says, “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.”
He has made the decision that if this round of treatment does not work, he will not go another round. He is not afraid to die.
We are not at that point yet. Trebek plans on hosting Jeopardy until he no longer can do it to his satisfaction.
Trebek has been a pillar of strength throughout his cancer battle. Let’s say a prayer for him.
This Tuesday, his memoir, The Answer Is …: Reflections on My Life, comes out. Then on Wednesday, he turns 80.
It has been almost 18 months since Alex Trebek was diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer, and he is still going strong. Today, the beloved Jeopardy gave us a health update, and it was filled with good news. “I am doing well,” he said. “I have been continuing my treatment. And it is paying off, though it fatigues me a great deal. My numbers are good. I’m feeling great.”
He is feeling so great that he wrote a book, The Answer Is…: Reflections on My Life, that comes out on Tuesday.
He does not know when he will be back in the studio recording new episodes of Jeopardy because of the coronavirus, but he is hopeful it will be soon. In the meantime, he is recording intros for some special episodes, including the first show he hosted, that will be airing soon.
