Alex Trebek Reveals Who He Wants His 'Jeopardy' Replacement to Be
Alex Trebek is setting the record straight. On Wednesday, the Jeopardy host revealed he will continue doing the show as long as he can.
“I don’t foresee that 30-second [goodbye] moment coming up in the near future,” Trebek said.
The 79-year-old—who was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March—also gave updates on his health, legacy, and the show's "Greatest of All Time" special.
Good news, Jeopardy fans: Despite receiving a stage 4 cancer diagnosis and undergoing multiple rounds of chemotherapy, Alex Trebek doesn't plan to retire anytime soon. On Wednesday, the longtime host told reporters at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that he will continue doing the show as long as he can.
“I don’t foresee that 30-second [goodbye] moment coming up in the near future,” Trebek said, referring to recent reports that he is rehearsing his final Jeopardy episode. "As long as I feel my skills have not diminished too much, and as long as I enjoy spending time with people like these three and working with people like Harry and our creative writing staff, then I’ll continue doing it.”
Of course, many cannot imagine Jeopardy without Trebek, including Ken Jennings. The Jeopardy champion—who is currently appearing on the "Greatest of All Time" special, along with James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter—told reporters “If anybody is irreplaceable on TV... it’s this guy right here."
However, when the time comes for someone else to take the podium, Trebek has previously said, "It’s probably going to be a woman and she’ll have to be bright. She’ll have to have a good sense of humor," teasing that Betty White would be his pick.
As for his health, Trebek admitted “some days are better than others."
"My resistance is lower because of the treatments I’ve been having," Trebek said. "They’ve got me off one of my chemo drugs, which was killing me... and I won’t know for a week or so where I stand." However, regardless of what happens, Trebek hopes his influence—and the show's—last long after he's gone.
"There are some individuals who could have been named hosts of Jeopardy and, if the show had lasted 36 years, they would have enjoyed the same kind of favorable reviews and adulation that I have enjoyed in recent years," Trebek said. "[I hope I've been] an influence for not underestimating the benefits of knowledge on life. Even though you are not going to use it in a practical way in daily life... it becomes part of you and enriches you, and makes you a better human being.”
Trebek can currently be seen hosting the Jeopardy "Greatest of All Time" special, which will resume Tuesday, January 14 at 8:00pm on ABC.
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