Alex Trebek, the beloved “Jeopardy!” host who died Sunday after publicly battling pancreatic cancer, had some memorable, funny and warm moments since he began hosting the long-running trivia game show in 1984.
He was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer in March 2019 and kept hosting the show.
Over 37 seasons, Trebek was almost unflappable, mixing in humor with his straightforward delivery.
>> Jeopardy!’ host Alex Trebek dead at 80
Here are some fun moments during Trebek’s stewardship:
Good sportsmanship
In 2007, Scott Weiss figured out how to have all three contestants finish Final Jeopardy! with the same total if they answered the question correctly, CNN reported. All three contestants answered the question and finished with $16,000.
All three contestants returned for the next show.
‘Losers, in other words’
In 2016, Trebek listened to Susan, a contestant from Bowie, Maryland, describe her favorite type of music as “nerdcore hip-hop,” Esquire reported.
“It doesn’t sound like fun,” Trebek said.
“I think it’s very fun," Susan said. "It’s people who identify as nerdy rapping about the things they love: Video games, science fiction, having a hard time meeting romantic partners, you know. It’s really catchy and fun.”
“Losers, in other words,” Trebek quipped.
April Fools'
On April Fools' Day in 1997, Trebek and “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak pranked their audiences by switching places, CNN reported.
Surprisingly, the studio audiences from both shows did not seem to mind.
>> Photos: Alex Trebek through the years
Rappin’ Alex
Trebek rapped in his own, special way while delivering questions in the “Let’s Rap, Kids!” category. Trebek did not try to ham it up; rather, he read the questions in his usual understated fashion, which made it even funnier.
Trebek read lyrics written by Lil Wayne, Drake, Biggie, and Kendrick Lamar, Esquire reported.
Big Football Fans? No ...
The only category remaining on the board was “Talkin’ Football,” and all three contestants failed to answer a single question, The Washington Post reported.
“I can tell you guys are big football fans,” Trebek notes.
After the $400 question was not answered, Trebek wonders, “Should we just cut to commercial?”
With one clue remaining, Trebek says, “Let’s look at the $1,000 clue, just for the fun of it.”
It was a question about the Minnesota Vikings' famed “Purple People Eaters” defense.
“If you guys ring in and get this one, I will die,” Trebek said.