Alex Trebek's touching posthumous request to 'Jeopardy!' viewers: 'Build a gentler, kinder society'
Monday marked the beginning of Alex Trebek’s final five episodes on Jeopardy!. The beloved host, who died Nov. 8 from pancreatic cancer, recorded a touching request for his viewers to help those battling the COVID-19 pandemic.
He began by calling back to a pre-recorded message which aired around Thanksgiving, reminding viewers to take a moment to give thanks. And this time, Trebek offered “a different kind of message.”
“This is the season of giving,” Trebek said. “I know you want to be generous with your family, your friends, your loved ones. But today, I'd like you to go one step further. I'd like you to open up your hands and open up your hearts to those who are still suffering because of COVID-19. People who are suffering through no fault of their own. We're trying to build a gentler, kinder society and if we all pitch in — just a little bit — we're going to get there."
The request for kindness and generosity left many viewers emotional. Many took to Twitter to share their thoughts on one of the beloved host’s final messages.
As if watching #Jeopardy wasn’t so heartbreaking to watch, God Bless #AlexTrebek for his message. May he Rest In Peace. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/JqVb2JZmfJ
— Michelle ??🙏🎹🎼🌈🦾💪🇺🇸 (@muziktherapyy) January 5, 2021
Alex Trebek has left us another message and it’s amazing.
“We’re trying to build a gentler, kinder society. And if we all chip in — we’ll get there.”
Needed it...pic.twitter.com/zVb7cuLbVf— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) January 5, 2021
Well alex trebek’s message to start the show made me cry so 😭😭 #jeopardy
— crabby ED tech 🦀 (@crabby20someth1) January 5, 2021
Seriously can we clone Alex Trebek? pic.twitter.com/9RHjGwN88V
— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) January 5, 2021
The opening by Alex Trebek! It's like he knew it was his final week on the show. 😢#jeopardy #AlexTrebek @Jeopardy
— Matt Darby (@MattStylesDJ) January 5, 2021
Oh man. Alex Trebek's message about kindness at the beginning of today's @Jeopardy episode really hit me in rhe feels 😭 such a wonderful man
— Lauren (@flippiefloppies) January 5, 2021
As charitable food lines continue to grow and states across the country brace for a post-holiday rise in the deadly disease, the host’s posthumous plea could not have been any more relevant and meaningful.
Jeopardy! is a syndicated program; visit Jeopardy.com or check you local listings for TV schedule.
Watch the most emotional moments from Alex Trebek’s final year on ‘Jeopardy!’:
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