‘Jeopardy!’ Fans ‘Get All Choked Up’ After This Small Nightly Gesture From Ken Jennings

From House Beautiful

When Ken Jennings stepped up to host the first episodes of Jeopardy! after Alex Trebek’s death, he knew he had big shoes to fill. He also understood that Jeopardy! fans couldn’t simply move on without somehow acknowledging Trebek’s memory. That’s why Jennings and the game show crew have made it a point to honor the late host in more than one way, and fans are touched by their efforts.

First, Jennings opened his Jan. 11 Jeopardy! debut with a semi-expected tribute to Trebek. “Let’s be totally clear: No one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek. But we can honor him by playing the game he loved,” he told viewers. “Like all Jeopardy! fans, I miss Alex very much. And I thank him for everything he did for all of us.”

Since that day, Jennings has hosted a month’s worth of games, and at the end of each one, he continues to honor Trebek by simply saying, “Thank you, Alex.” Fans have noticed the small but powerful gesture and they really appreciate it.

“Every single time @KenJennings thanks Alex at the end of @Jeopardy, I get all choked up. I hope he never stops,” author Jessica Brody wrote on Twitter. Many others echoed her. “I always get a lump in my throat … he’s got my blessing!” one added. “Every time Ken says ‘thank you Alex’ it gets me,” another wrote.

After receiving so much love over the comment, Jennings shared that it was actually executive producer Mike Richards’ idea. “‘Thanks, Alex’ was suggested as a sign-off by executive producer Mike Richards, and I’m glad he did,” the former Jeopardy! “Greatest of All Time” winner tweeted. “There wouldn’t be a show without Alex.”

As expected, Jennings began his hosting tenure a little shaky and tense, but he has since fallen into an impressive groove, and plenty of fans are rallying for him to be Trebek’s official replacement.

“I was skeptical in the beginning, but Ken you are doing a fabulous job, I pick you for the permanent host!” one fan tweeted. “I hope it becomes your gig full time. No one can replace Alex, and I feel like you respect and appreciate that,” another added. “I am pulling for you,” someone else wrote to Ken. “You deserve it.”

When Jeopardy! resumed filming post-Trebek’s death, producers shared a running list of interim guest hosts that will lead the show in coming months that includes Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie, and Dr. Oz, among others. So far, information on how the selection of a permanent host (or if there will be one) has not been announced.

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