Jeopardy announcer Johnny Gilbert told People that a “part of him left” the set of Jeopardy after “Alex left.” The 96-year-old worked with Trebek for 37 years before he died last month.
Gilbert recalled how Trebek was always the same person. “He was very introspective; he read a tremendous amount and traveled a lot. He was always doing crossword puzzles to keep his mind active.”
“Jeopardy! is a very special game,” Gilbert says. “All that information that he gave out, aside from what was actually on the show, was in his mind. Somebody must be able to handle that. If the person lets the show be the show, it will be fine.”
Ken Jennings, who is the all-time Jeopardy champion, was the first of several guest hosts to appear on the game show until a permanent replacement is found.
Gilbert shared how one his favorite characteristics about Trabek was his indelible sense of humor.
“One gal asked him, ‘Boxers or briefs?’ Alex took a beat and said, ‘Thongs!’ I told him a long time ago, ‘If this show goes away, you could be a stand-up comedian.’ He always loved to do jokes.”
