Alex Trebekhas already planned his heartfelt sign-off fromJeopardy!, though his last day has yet to be determined.
Speaking withMichael Strahanfor the ABC specialWhat Is Jeopardy?that aired on Thursday, Trebek, 79, opened up about his health and coming to terms with leaving the trivia show he has hosted since 1984.
In March, Trebek announced that he’d been diagnosed withstage 4 pancreatic cancerand underwentchemotherapy. Now, he said he’s trying another form of treatment.
“I have learned something in the past year and it’s this: We don’t know when we’re going to die,” said Trebek. “Because of the cancer diagnosis, it’s no longer an open-ended life, it’s a closed-ended life because of the terrible … survival rates of pancreatic cancer.”
With that in mind, Trebek said he has already mapped out how he intends his final day onJeopardy!to go — what will be a “significant moment” for the television personality.
” ‘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,’ ” he continued.
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An insiderpreviously told PEOPLEthat the beloved host isn’t hanging up his hat anytime soon, despite still working to beat pancreatic cancer.
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Beginning on Tuesday, Trebek will also host the primetime special “Greatest of All Time” tournament, featuring formerJeopardy!championsKen Jennings,Brad RutterandJames Holzhauer— and he certainly shows no sign of slowing down.
In December 2018, several months before his cancer diagnosis, hetold PEOPLEthat he didn’t know what he’d do if not for his job, which he’s now done for 36 years and counting.
“What am I gonna do? I’m enjoying myself and I’m having a good time with what I’m doing now,” Trebek said. “If I were to retire, what would I do? I’d be lost.”
Jeopardy!: The Greatest of All Timeairs Jan. 7 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
source: people.com
