MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) – On this day, November 8, 2020, legendary TV personality and longtime host of the game show “Jeopardy!” Alex Trebek died at the age of 80.
Although the show first aired in 1964, Trebek started hosting “Jeopardy!” when it began its syndicated run in 1984. He also worked as a producer on the show for its first three years, creating different tournaments based on age or skill level.
One of those tournaments was held in Madison- the 2008 “College Championship,” filmed at the Kohl Center.
WMTV got to be there and talk with Trebek before he kicked off the week-long series of shows.
Trebek would continue his hosting duties- even as he battled pancreatic cancer in 2019 and 2020.
He holds the Guinness World Record for hosting the most episodes of a single game show credited with over 8,200 episodes of “Jeopardy!”
The soundstage where the game show is filmed has since been renamed the “Alex Trebek Stage” in his honor.
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