Trebek urges support for COVID-19 victims in 1 of last shows

In a mess taped for what turned out to be his final week as “Jeopardy!” host, Alex Trebek urged game show's viewers to hor season of giving by helping victims of coronavirus epidemic.

Trebek's plea aired in opening moments of show that aired on Monday .

“We're trying to build a gentler, kinder society and if we all pitch in just a little bit, we're going to get re,” he said.

Trebek died vember 8 at 80 of pancreatic cancer but h pre-taped several weeks of shows that have continued to air. Monday's show began final week of programs that he left behind.

His last week of shows were originally scheduled to air on Christmas week; two categories of clues on Monday were “December 21” and “Christmas on Broway.” But to give Trebek's final week wider exposure, “Jeopardy!” put m off until this week.

show's executive producer, Mike Richards, told NBC's “Today” show on Monday that Trebek was “an absolute warrior” in his last taping sessions.

“He was in ermous pain,” Richards said. “He was, you kw, 10 days away from passing away. And you will t sense that in any of se episodes.”

A successor hasn't been named. Longtime "Jeopardy!' champion Ken Jennings will be first of a planned series of guest hosts on episodes that begin appearing next week .