‘Jeopardy!’ Host Alex Trebek Reveals He Has Stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer

Incredibly awful news for those of you who, like me, have watched endless episodes of Jeopardy! and gotten maybe 10 Final Jeopardy questions right ever: Longtime and extremely legendary host Alex Trebek has revealed that he has stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

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In a typically professional but nonetheless emotional announcement, Trebek confirmed the news himself, wanting to be the first person to tell the fans of his rather grim diagnosis.

A glassy-eyed Trebek posted a video message via the Jeopardy! social media channels a short time ago. Despite confirming the horrible news, he remained as steely-voiced as ever, not once wavering from the calm, considered tone that’s made him an indisputable television legend.

TMZ reports that despite the diagnosis, Trebek plans to keep working – even through his chemotherapy treatment which is reportedly set to begin immediately. Trebek will gamely attempt to finish out the current season of Jeopardy! – a show he has hosted constantly since 1984, producing well in excess of 7,000 episodes of the enduring game show in that time.

Trebek has had minor health-related absences from the show in the past, but the series never carried on with a guest host. Just once in the show’s current run has Alex Trebek not been at the helm: on April 1st, 1987 Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak took control for one episode as part of an April Fool’s Day host-swap prank.

78-year-old Trebek had been considering retirement last year, but instead signed a new contract taking him through to the end of the 2020-2021 season.

For what it’s worth, Trebek has stated in the past that he believes LA Kings announcer Alex Faust should replace him as the host of Jeopardy! in the event he moves on from the role.

Still, it’s incredibly difficult to picture any version of Jeopardy! without Alex Trebek as the host.

Kick its ass, Trebek.

Sorry, make that: What is “Kick its ass, Trebek.”

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