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Memories of a Jeopardy! Taping ; An Alex Trebek Tribute

Stephanie Camello recalls:

Jeopardy! was always my favorite show from the time I was a kid. Around 2010 my parents and I wanted to see a live show taping, so we registered on their site for free tickets to see a live taping out in Burbank. After we arrived we waited about an hour or so to be seated after our group had a small tour of the studio lot and the building it where it was taped. Then we were seated and the taping prep began. Before the taping actually began the announcer, Johnny Gilbert, came out to give us a rundown of what would happen, when to clap and general rules about taping live TV along with some cool anecdotes about past audiences and players and some side jokes to keep our energy up. Then Alex Trebek came out to introduce himself to us (there were probably a maximum of 50 people in the audience) and that's when we discovered that Alex Trebek was the most down to earth, honest to goodness nicest person to host a TV show.

Alex told us some jokes, took a few audience questions and then taping began. They tape at least 3 months ahead of time and they actually tape a whole week's shows in one day's sitting. Three half hour episodes in the morning, lunch and then 2 episodes in the afternoon. After each taping and before each break, Alex talked to the audience like he was talking to a friend and took questions from us, time permitting. He was nothing but kind, funny, honest and sincere.

After the show, they usually have a little prize drawing for the audience. Well it so happened that my number came up the winner. I got to go to the front of the audience section and get my prize from one of the pages that worked on the show and I saw Alex up close and personal where I got to say thank you and take my prize back to my seat. The prize was pretty cool too. It was a DVD version of the Jeopardy! game. Not too shabby for an audience prize! I loved playing that game.

Once it was all over, my parents and I just had nothing but good things to say about Mr. Trebek. We keep watching the show religiously until this day. Of course it was devastating when in 2019-2020 we learned of his ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer, but his positive attitude and determination to not stop hosting the game show he loved was inspiring to everyone. Even more tragic was his sudden departure from this world on November 8, 2020 just 2 weeks after he halted taping to take a rest. He was 80 years old.

Now, I don't know too many celebs but I've heard some things and I can attest to the fact that Mr. Alex Trebek was by far the coolest, smartest, wittiest, most down to earth person there probably is out there. He was always incredibly humble, soft-spoken but was loved by millions and he will be dearly missed by so many people across the globe. He hosted Jeopardy! for 37 seasons from 1984-2020.

That's my little personal tribute as first-hand witness to an amazing person. They sure don't make 'em like that anymore! We'll miss you Alex Trebek!! Gone but never forgotten.

And if you want a good cry, check out the on air tribute video the Jeopardy! team made to honor Alex.


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