Ken Jennings Admires 'Jeopardy!' Host Alex Trebek for Handling Cancer Treatment 'So Bravely'
"Greatest of All Time" "Jeopardy!" contestant Ken Jennings shared a thoughtful sentiment regarding the popular show's host Alex Trebek in an interview Wednesday with the Star Tribune.
His comments relate to Trebek's ongoing fight with stage four pancreatic cancer and his perseverance to continue hosting the "Greatest of All Time" tournament during treatment.
"The chemo is rough, but he can always just turn it on. The music came on, the lights came on, he would just stride out there and nail that show like nobody else. It was exciting to see him doing so well and taking that diagnosis so bravely. To me, he's the last of that kind of old-school broadcasters, and it's such a pleasure to watch," Jennings told the publication.
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Alex Trebek offers a health update to fans.
In addition to Jenning's heartfelt comments, Alex Trebek offered a health update of his own to fans.
Trebek told the Star Tribune he was "struggling a bit on stage" with cancer symptoms during the "Jeopardy Greatest of All Time" taping.
The special series focuses on the face-off between top champions including facts-whiz Ken Jennings, game-changer James Holzhauer and the underdog Brad Rutter.
Trebek continued to explain while others didn't notice his change in health and mood during the taping of the show, he certainly did.
He further explained at the Television Critics Association winter press tour that his diminished energy during the show taping was due to his weakened immune system from treatments and changes in his chemotherapy schedule.
"I have good days and bad days," he said.
How does stage four pancreatic cancer affect the body?
The American Cancer Association explains on its website that stage four is considered the most severe case of pancreatic cancer.
In this stage, the cancer is no longer just affecting the pancreas but has also spread and is attacking the bones, liver or lungs.
Unfortunately, a majority of pancreatic cancer patients are not diagnosed until stage four, when it is beyond the point of surgery and their main treatment option becomes chemotherapy like Trebek.
With chemotherapy comes a range of side effects including symptoms like nausea, hair loss, lack of energy and developing a skin rash.
What does this mean for the future of "Jeopardy!" and Trebek's hosting days?
Also at the Television Critics winter press tour, Trebek announced that after decades hosting the show, he is finally considering his retirement. However, he isn't planning on leaving just yet and will continue hosting during his treatments.
Trebek started as Jeopardy's host back in 1984. After such a long run, he told Michael Strahan earlier this week that his final wish is to take 30 seconds to deliver a send-off when his final episode comes up.
"I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, 'Don't ask me who's going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I'm sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me...then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success. And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye," Trebek said.
What else is happening in the "Greatest of All Time" tournament?
On a lighter note, Alex Trebek still appears in high spirits as the "Greatest of All Time" series begins to air on ABC, joking with the contestants and giving fans many "tweetable" moments.
While Ken Jennings has taken two wins home so far, to the surprise of fans who were awed by James Holzhauer's game-changing tactics, the true viral moments came from Alex Trebek and the players' exchanges.
Between Ken Jennings excitedly answering "Ok Boomer" to a question and Alex Trebek saying the phrase "bitchin' mixtape," the series produces plenty of laughs for viewers at home.
