A contestant’s heartfelt tribute moves Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek to tears. Trebek’s impeccable hosting skills have graced the trivia game show for more than 35 seasons and 8,000 episodes. Winner of six Emmys for Outstanding Game Show Host, the 79-year-old is one of the most recognized television personalities of all time. Hailed as an icon, Trebek has appeared, as himself, in a slew of TV shows including, Orange is the New Black, Jack Ryan, The X-files, and The Golden Girls.
Earlier this year, Trebek shocked the nation when he revealed in a video message that he’d been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The survival rate for this particular strand of cancer is nine percent – the highest mortality rate of all cancers. Unrelentingly, Trebek continued his Jeopardy! hosting duties and returned for season 36. Following a stint with chemotherapy, Trebek was optimistic while enduring the side effects of weight loss, fatigue, and thinning hair. Amid rumors of Jeopardy! seeking out a replacement for Trebek, the trivia show spawned Jeopardy legend James Holzhauer, a professional sports gambler who snagged 32 consecutive wins. Recently, it was revealed Holzhauer would return to Jeopardy! for the Tournament of Champions. Vying for a grand prize of $250,000, 15 players were compiled from contestants who won the most games since the previous tournament.
All eyes were set on Holzhauer, however, it appears another contestant has scored the spotlight. On Nov. 11, Brown University student, Dhruv Gaur, was faced with the category “Famous Phrases” in the Final Jeopardy round. First appearing on a College Champion episode of Jeopardy!, Gaur was left with $2,000 to solve the question, “In the title of a groundbreaking 1890 exposé of poverty in New York City slums, these 3 words follow “How The.“, to which Gaur answered: “What is, we love you, Alex!” Left with $5 and no chance of winning, Gaur’s sacrificial gesture had a visible impact on Trebek. Check out the emotional video posted on Twitter below:
Displaying his iconic gentle professionalism, Trebek stated, “That’s very kind of you, thank you.”, before taking a slight pause to form the words, “Costs you $1,995”. Standing by his choice, Gaur declared his message to Trebek was more valuable than a correct answer to the Jeopardy! riddle. Occurring annually, the Tournament of Champions will run until Nov. 15. Despite considering an early Jeopardy! exit, Trebek remains committed to his treatment, as well as his hosting duties.
Deemed far more than a game show host, Trebek has had a profound impact on audience members, contestants, and fans. Gaur may have knowingly penned in the incorrect answer to the puzzle, but he gave the right answer to how the nation feels about Trebek. Despite what the future holds, Alex Trebek of Jeopardy! will always be the beloved father-figure of America’s favorite game show.
