Back in July, Alex Trebek scared us all a little bit when he appeared on the show OBJECTified. Hosted by TMZ's Harvey Levin, the show asks big celebrities the questions they may not always want to answer.
Trebek and Levin discussed Jeopardy! (of course) but we were all left with the same question...did Alex Trebek just suggest he might retire? When asked about the odds of him staying on as host after his contract expires in 2020, Trebek said it was "50/50 and a little less" that he'll still be there. He also said he could imagine a life outside of hosting the iconic game show.
I'll take "Things That Would Ruin Jeopardy!" for $2000, Alex.
It wasn't the first time that Trebek hinted at leaving Jeopardy! either. In 2012, the host suggested that after his contract was up, he would be calling it quits.
"A lot of people have been telling me, 'Alex, you've got to go for at least 30,'" Trebek said at the time. "'At least do two more. So that has a nice ring to it. Put in your 30 and go help people.'"
Now, 34 years after he started hosting the classic game show, Trebek has come to a decision about his future.
Sony Pictures announced that they have signed Alex Trebek to a two-year contract extension, which will carry him through as host until 2022. In addition, they've given the same extension to Pat Sajak and Vanna White, the iconic duo on Wheel of Fortune.
"Pat, Vanna and Alex are simply the best. Night after night, they seamlessly entertain generations of fans on two of the most beloved television programs on air. We are thrilled that they'll continue to do so through 2022," Sony Pictures Television chairman Mike Hopkins said in a statement.
I must admit, I'm pretty shocked to hear that Trebek decided to stay on with the show. Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled he's staying, but I was practically convinced after his OBJECTified interview that he was all but gone. Trebek even admitted to having spoken with CBS about his replacement!
"I mentioned to our producer not too long ago that the fellow who does play-by-play for the Los Angeles Kings, they should consider him," Trebek told Levin. "There is an attorney, Laura Coates, she's African-American, and she appears on some of the cable news shows from time to time," Trebek continued, when asked about a woman replacement.
Oh, and as a fun little treat, here's Trebek dressed up as KISS front-man Gene Simmons...while standing next to Gene Simmons.
