Alex Trebek may not be with us anymore, but his powerful messaging still lives on in his Jeopardy! episodes.
On Monday (January 4), the late game show host's first of his final five episodes of Jeopardy! aired and it sees him send a strong message about unity. His last episode is scheduled to air on Friday. "Youâll recall that about a month ago, I asked all of you to take a moment to give thanks for all of the blessings that you enjoy in your lives," he said. "Now, today, a different kind of message. This is the season of giving. I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones."
Trebek went on to challenge the game show viewers with a task. "But today, Iâd like you to go one step further. Iâd like you to open up your hands and open up your hearts to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19. People who are suffering through no fault of their own," he continued. "Weâre trying to build a gentler, kinder society and if we all pitch in â just a little bit â weâre gonna get there."
The episode, which was filmed in October, ended with a dedication to the Canadian star, who died on November 8 after a battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. âForever in our hearts, always our inspiration," the message read.
Mike Richards, the game show's executive producer, recently told Today that the monologue gave the production chills and reason to applause. âIn this very special, unbelievable final week, he comes out and gives a talk about the importance of togetherness and sticking together and that the world is struggling but that we have to get through it together,â Richards recalled. âWe had chills. There are specific moments in âJeopardy!â when you clap, and then there are moments when you are quiet. Thereâs not that many people in the studio because of COVID, and we all burst into applause. We were so moved that we had to applaud.â
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