Today, the world lost a TV game show icon. Alex Trebek, longtime host of Jeopardy! passed away at the age of 80. Trebek shared this diagnosis with pancreatic cancer with his audience, however, the cause of death was not disclosed.
Ridgefield resident Deirdre Basile was a contestant on Jeopardy! in June of 2004 (earning 2nd place) and recalls her co-contestant Ken Jennings, who's famed for having the longest winning streak and holds the record for the highest average correct responses per game in Jeopardy! history. "I'll never forget Final Jeopardy! because I got it [the question] right and Ken Jennings got it wrong - but he was so far ahead of me it didn't matter!" Basile says.
Basile has fond memories of Alex Trebek and shared a passion for the game show and its beloved host with her celebrity father, Brian Dennehy who also appeared on the show in 1999 as a celebrity Jeopardy! contestant. "Alex was a big fan [of my father] and talked to me about him quite a bit. My dad and I shared a love of trivia so it was fun for us both to have been on the show," says Basile.
Jeopardy! wrote on Twitter today, "Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex."
*Ken Jennings vs. Steve DiGiulio vs. Deirdre Basile aired on Thursday, June 17, 2004. Ken Jennings was the champion. Learn more about that show here.
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