NBC – “Jeopardy!” paid tribute to Alex Trebek and his decades long run as host on the famed trivia show Monday as his final episodes began to air the day after his death.
“Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards opened the show acknowledging the “enormous loss” of Trebek, who died Sunday at age 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Trebek had hosted the game show since 1984 and was contracted to continue until 2022.
Richards stood in front of the show’s set and addressed viewers with a touching tribute before the taped episode aired at its usual time slot.
“He loved this show and everything it stood for. In fact, he filmed his final episodes less than two weeks ago,” Richards said. “He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, his kindness and for his love of his family.”