Here’s when Alex Trebek’s final ‘Jeopardy!’ episodes will air

alex trebek on the set of jeopardy

The late Alex Trebek will appear in his final episodes as host of "Jeopardy!" beginning the week of Jan. 4, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Viacom/CBS)

Fans of the late Alex Trebek will still be able to watch the much-loved host on “Jeopardy!” into the early days of 2021. Trebek died at age 80 on Nov. 8, after revealing in early 2019 that he had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Since taking on the role of host in 1984, Trebek became a TV institution, expertly blending an air of intelligence with a dry sense of humor.

Trebek taped his final “Jeopardy!” episodes on Oct. 29, according to Variety. It was originally announced that the pre-taped show in which Trebek made his final appearance would air on Christmas day. But as a statement on the “Jeopardy!” website announced, the schedule for Trebek’s final episodes was changed, “in order to give his millions of fans a chance to see his final appearances.”

The updated schedule features “Around the World With Alex,” as the show is calling the two weeks of repeats, which began Dec. 21 and continue through Jan. 1.

The post on the website notes: “Alex used to say that he had three favorite types of categories: ‘Movies, Geography, and Movies About Geography.’ But as the saying goes, jokes are usually just ‘truth wrapped in a smile.’

Alex had a lifelong interest in the world’s people, cultures and languages, and he was the driving force in many of the categories we’re sharing in the next two weeks. ‘History is the past,’ he once said. ‘Geography is the future.’”

Trebek’s final episodes will air the week of Jan. 4, 2021, which means his last appearance as host will be on the show that airs on Friday, Jan. 8, 2021.

Though no official replacement for Trebek has yet been announced, a series of guest hosts are scheduled to fill in. The first week of guest-hosted shows will air the week of Jan. 11. “Jeopardy!” resumed production of new episodes on Nov. 30, with Ken Jennings as the first interim guest host. Early in 2020, Jennings earned the title of “Greatest of All Time,” in a special primetime edition of the show. Additional guest hosts are expected to be announced soon.

In Portland, “Jeopardy!” airs weeknights, following the “KATU News at 6″ broadcast, and beginning a few minutes before 7 p.m.

More of our coverage:

Alex Trebek on his health, and ‘Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time’: ‘I have good days, and bad days’

‘Jeopardy!’ promises special message honoring the late Alex Trebek: Watch the cold open and emotional tribute video


-- Kristi Turnquist

kturnquist@oregonian.com 503-221-8227 @Kristiturnquist

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