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"I hope I have been an influence on the
benefits of emphasizing the importance of knowledge," said
Trebek, 79. "It enriches you and makes you a better human being
and a more understanding human being."
Trebek, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last year, was
speaking to television reporters the day after the broadcast of
the first night of "Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time."
The ABC show, which brings together past champions Ken Jennings,
Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer, dominated television on Tuesday
attracting more than 14 million viewers, according to ratings
data, and was one of the biggest trending topics on Twitter. The
tournament, which was pre-recorded, will continue until one of
the trio wins three matches.
Trebek said the "Greatest of All Time" special would not have
been possible before Holzhauer's 32-game winning streak in 2019
and his win in the Tournament of Champions.
"There was never a third candidate we could put up against Ken
and Brad," he said. "It's a competition that people have been
looking forward to for a long time."
Trebek said he had good and bad days with his health and was
undergoing more tests on Thursday.
But he said "thinking about retiring and retiring are two
different things" and that he would continue hosting "Jeopardy!"
as long as his skills are undiminished.
"I don't foresee that moment coming up in the near future," he
said.
"I like spending time with bright people. I hate spending time
with stupid people," Trebek added, when asked what he might miss
about the show when he eventually bows out.
(Reporting by Jill Serjeant; Editing by Tom Brown)
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