Why Did ‘Jeopardy!’ Producers Ignore Alex Trebek’s 82nd Birthday?
Late Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek with his exceptional hosting skills, made the show a historic success. However, an accidental mistake by the show makers on the eve of the legendary host’s 82nd birthday has displeased fans.
Jeopardy! Fans Beg Show Makers To Honor Alex Trebek
During the July 22 episode, host Ken Jennings didn’t honor the acclaimed star on his birthday. Fans were quick to react and begged the show makers to rectify their mistake. As the episode started, Ken, in his usual hosting pattern, went on to introduce the players, which included the returning champion, Emmie Trammell.
[Source: YouTube]
Before he revealed the Jeopardy! categories, Ken explained to the viewers, “On yesterday’s show, space camp veteran and amateurish astronomer named Emmie Trammell was trailing the leader practically throughout the whole game until Final Jeopardy when the stars arrived…”
The show wrapped up without any mention of Alex after contestant Emmie lost to the new champion Karla Fossett.
Fans quickly called out the show makers on social media. One fan wrote, “Please honor Mr. Trebek’s memory and pay him the tribute he so richly deserves….”
Fans Direct Harsh Comments Towards Host Ken Jennings
However, some fans shamed Ken Jennings for no fault of his own. They mentioned, “Ken Jennings is a joke!” while another added, “I still miss Alex so much.”
It is a known fact that hosts do not have a say in what goes on air, and they read out their lines out of the teleprompter. And, the show makers and writers didn’t mention Alex though out the filming of the episode.
[Source: YouTube]
However, they immediately corrected their mistake on their official Twitter handle. They tweeted about the late host and wrote, “Happy 82nd birthday to the man who showed us the power of knowledge.”
“Celebrate Alex’s incredible legacy by learning about the recently-opened Trebek Center at Hope of the Valley, an organization near and dear to his heart,” the post concluded.
[Source: YouTube]
The show’s new champion Karla also sent out a tweet honoring the legend, “Humbled and honored when I realized that my episode of Jeopardy! is airing on Alex Trebek’s birthday.”
Alex Trebek hosted Jeopardy! game show for 30+ years before his demise on November 8, 2020. Back in March 2019, the Canadian-American TV star was diagnosed with Stage Four pancreatic cancer. As reported by The Sun, the tumor had spread all the way to the stomach’s soft lining when he went in for a CT scan at the Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai hospital.
Ken Jennings vs. Mayim Bialik: Who Won?
Following his demise, the show experimented with several guest hosts before they split the hosting duties between Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik. While Ken has been a fan favorite, his return after a long hiatus on July 18 was met with mixed reviews.
Since he returned, the game show fans have pulled on the former Jeopardy! champion for his failure to enforce the show’s rules. Fans were also shocked after he cracked an NSFW joke on air.
[Source: YouTube]
Regardless, Ken Jennings has been ranking at a higher level in the popularity chart as compared to Mayim Bialik. A recent poll conducted by TV Insider revealed that 82 percent of viewers wish to see Ken Jennings as the permanent host. In comparison, only 6 percent of fans voted in support of Mayim Bialik.
Are you a Ken Jennings fan or Team Mayim Bialik? Let us know in the comments!
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