Oh Nathalie I am right there with you. This is very sad news :(

The fact he did an X-Files episode making fun of himself elevates him to immortality to me.

I'd been sort of dreadfully anticipating this news for a while now. Not because I thought he was unhealthy, but just b/c I knew he was older than he looked and b/c lousy shit always happens to good people. In such anticipation, I've been hoping against hope that Jennings himself could be convinced to undertake the hosting duties. He'd be great actually and seems to possess a similarly dry (and freaking hilarious!) sense of humor. Alas, I've heard that the idea may have been floated and he wasn't much interested.

Failing that, Nathalie's correct in that the recently completed tournament featured so many other interesting people and camera friendly personalities that I can't help but wonder if any of them might be at least inclined to consider the hosting gig. Hopefully it'll be something we won't need to contemplate for a few years, at least.

Nathalie, @1 Lissa, and @2 ProfessorHistory: I am right there with all three of you. Such heartbreaking news about Alex Trebek!
@2 ProfessorHistory: Agreed and seconded---Alex Trebek will always be immortal to me, too.

I am not an Alex fan. I don’t like his “of course the answer is...” attitude that rears it’s ugly head on occasion. That being said, this is sad news. I think his public statement is wonderful and I wish him the best.

Probably the best answer he has ever given.

Hmmmm.....Art Fleming died of pancreatic cancer in his 70's, after making fun of himself in a Weird Al Yankovic video....suspicious.
Hope Mr. Trebek pulls through.

A lovely appreciation. I wish him the best.

@5,

I think most loyal viewers have noticed that occasional condescension and come to terms with it. I've even come to get a kick out of it a little, in part because it humanizes him and just because I figure it's probably somewhat inevitable after filling this role for so many years. Valid criticism though.

Wow, tackiest story headline ever

Not a fan of Alex Trebek — who shamelessly peddles the scam of whole life insurance with a folksy-sounding, predatory company named "Colonial Penn Life Insurance."

“Your mother’s a whore, Trebek!”
-Sean Connery

Alex Trebek will always be mustachioed in my mind.

@3 You really think he looks older than 78? I think he looks damn good for that age. He’s always been that kind of person who looked old at a young age and then stayed the same for decades.

This headline is clueless (literally).

Maybe everyone knows about this but in case not: Google SCTV Halfwits for a laugh or two in these dark times. Thoughts and love to Alex Trebek and his fans.

I remember him on High Rollers. I loved him on there with his big bushy hurrdid and an amazing porn star worthy 'stache.

Unfortunately, he is a dead man walking. Downhill pretty quickly from here. Maybe Will Ferrell would be up for the gig?
"It is pronounced "SWORD"
"That isn't how your mother says it, Trebek."

@13,

Oh no, I agree completely. Looks great for 78, maybe poorly worded on my part earlier. And yeah, also agree that he probably appeared roughly his age when he made his debut 20 or however many years ago. But then appears to have only aged like four or five years since then.

Nathalie,

We're all going to die, some sooner than others. Some in more pain than others. Welcome to life...

You might die sooner than later if you keep wanting to ride those scooters!

@21: People DIE you say?!! ZOMG!!!! Good thing you're here to point that out to a fully functional college educated adult! I mean! Nathalie might have gone blissfully through life until she herself felt death’s cold embrace and wouldn’t THAT have been a nasty shock for her!
Your condescension is duly noted grampa.