Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

PA

Jeopardy quiz show host Alex Trebek dies aged 80

Alex Trebek had announced in 2019 that he had advanced pancreatic cancer.

ALEX TREBEK, WHO presided over the American quiz show Jeopardy! for more than 30 years, has died aged 80.

Trebek, who announced in 2019 that he had advanced pancreatic cancer, died at his California home today surrounded by family and friends, Jeopardy! studio Sony said.

The Canadian-born host, who made a point of informing fans about his health directly, spoke about his illness and his hope for a cure in a video posted on 6 March 2019.

In the video, Trebek said he was joining the 50,000 other Americans who receive such a diagnosis each year and that he recognised that the prognosis was not encouraging.

But Trebek said he intended to fight it and keep working, even joking that he needed to beat the disease because his Jeopardy! contract ran for three more years.

Less than a week later, he opened the show with a message acknowledging the outpouring of kind words and prayers he had received.

Jeopardy! bills itself as “America’s favourite quiz show” and captivated the public with a unique format in which contestants were told the answers and had to provide the questions on a variety of subjects, including films, politics, history and popular culture.

Trebek, who became its host in 1984, was a master of the format, engaging in friendly banter with contestants, appearing genuinely pleased when they answered correctly and, at the same time, moving the game along in a brisk no-nonsense fashion whenever people struggled for answers.

He never pretended to know the answers himself if he really did not, deferring to the show’s experts to decide whether a vague answer had come close enough to be counted as correct.

“I try not to take myself too seriously,” he told an interviewer in 2004. “I don’t want to come off as a pompous ass and indicate that I know everything when I don’t.”

The show was the brainstorm of Julann Griffin, wife of the late talk show host-entrepreneur Merv Griffin, who said she suggested to him one day that he create a game show where people were given the answers.

Jeopardy! debuted on NBC in 1964 with Art Fleming as emcee and was an immediate hit. It lasted until 1975, then was revived in syndication with Trebek.

Trebeck won five Emmys as the host of Jeopardy! and received stars on both the Hollywood and Canadian walks of fame. In 2012, the show won a prestigious Peabody Award.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

View 19 comments
Close
19 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Parmenides
    Favourite Parmenides
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 2:07 PM

    Just like oour very own unflappable Dobbo, the consummate professional. It’s only a mistake if you acknowledge it. Dobbo could take an arrow to the knee and still deliver the news in a a professional and concise manner.

    191
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Larry K
    Favourite Larry K
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:53 PM

    It also shows just how vital an iPad is for a news presenter

    90
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Clyde Doyle
    Favourite Clyde Doyle
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 10:06 PM

    Ha ha

    1
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Donnelly
    Favourite Michael Donnelly
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:31 PM

    That’s a lost bet from a night in a pub. Or I’ll eat my hat!!

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Radford
    Favourite Paul Radford
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:26 PM

    You’re right, no other reason for a ream of paper to be anywhere near studio.

    Well spotted Watson, well spotted. Solved

    29
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Oliver Walker
    Favourite Oliver Walker
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:55 PM

    That….looks absolutely ridiculous

    18
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Veronica
    Favourite Veronica
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:54 PM

    Fair pay to him, he kept his cool throughout!

    17
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seoirse M H
    Favourite Seoirse M H
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:32 PM

    The BBC News service is so blatantly biased and a spring of propaganda. It’s all in the words they choose and nice words are reserved for those who align with Western interests.

    13
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Leigh Power
    Favourite Leigh Power
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 3:50 PM

    As opposed to yourself who’s completely unbiased.

    84
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:03 PM

    You’ve obviously never looked at the blatant Fox-led British Sky News for slanted opinion and bias presenting in their daily news. For all the starch and stuff upper lip of the BBC, you at least get basic news reported less the editorial and reality-show hyperbole of SKY.

    42
    See 4 more replies ▾
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Seoirse M H
    Favourite Seoirse M H
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 4:17 PM

    Re Mick.

    Hi Mick. Wouldn’t look at SkyNews for news unless I needed some encouragement. The BBC nature programs et al are good but the news service is unbelievably produced according to an agenda. Just look at any articles from the BBC on Pinochet. Absolutely shocking the way they choose words in their description of him and slant on him.

    10
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Paul Radford
    Favourite Paul Radford
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:28 PM

    So what do you think of Tv3. Interesting to hear your reply.

    8
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:38 PM

    BBC docu stuff is generally, outstanding, though I take your point on the Pinochet stuff.

    6
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Mick Rooney
    Favourite Mick Rooney
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 5:43 PM

    Eh, TV3!? Do they call what they do in soundbites news? I used to watch Vincenzo, but, frankly, I couldn’t care less what Georgia, Amy or Glenda do next as an excuse for news! TV3 news reminds me of John Craven’s newsrooms for kids, or the mentally challenged!

    16
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Wham Wham
    Favourite Wham Wham
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 2:32 PM

    I’ve done that afew times in school! You’d be mortified but with all those kids staring at you it’s bound to happen!

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Trevor Beacom
    Favourite Trevor Beacom
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 6:25 PM

    A decent newsreader mccoy who was pushed out of sky for clashing with the maggie Thatcher of media

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Cathal Egan
    Favourite Cathal Egan
    Report
    Sep 18th 2013, 8:44 PM

    Maybe he got scammed by the people who show you what you’re buying then give you the case filled with paper and leave before you notice. He just hasn’t noticed yet.

    7
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds