Ken Jennings Explains Why Alex Trebek Ditched His Pants That One Time on ‘Jeopardy!’ (Video)
The GOAT and current interim host shared the hilarious memory on “The View”
Margeaux Sippell | January 11, 2021 @ 10:47 AM
Last Updated: January 11, 2021 @ 5:32 PM
YouTube/Jeopardy! 2005
“Jeopardy!” king and current interim host Ken Jennings paid a visit to “The View” on Monday, and he shared some fond memories of late host Alex Trebek.
Among them was the hilarious story of that time during the 2005 “Tournament of Champions” when Trebek walked out on stage with no pants.
“There was a great moment in a tournament about ten years ago where the contestants were nervously talking before the show about, you know, ‘Behind these lecterns we could take off our pants and nobody would know,'” Jennings told “View” co-host Sara Haines.
“Alex must have been listening because at the top of the show, the music plays, the announcer says, ‘The host of ‘Jeopardy!’ Alex Trebek,’ and he walks out in his boxers,” he continued. “I don’t think I’ve ever laughed so hard in my life. That really, really cut the tension.”
Starting Monday, Jan. 10, Jennings has been filling in as guest host, with Katie Couric reported to be taking over as the next temporary host.
A year ago, Jennings won the “Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time” tournament against James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter, officially taking the title of “Jeopardy!” GOAT once and for all. The show has not yet named an official successor to take over as host for Trebek.
At the end of Trebek’s final episode, the show played a montage of some of his best moments, including the no-pants episode. Catch more highlights from his goodbye episode here.
A look at all the stars in movies, TV, music, sports and media we've lost this year
Mike Fenton • The "E.T." and "Back to the Future" casting director died Jan. 1. He was 85 years old.
Joan Micklin Silver • The director best known for the films "Hester Street" and "Crossing Delancey" died Jan. 1 due to vascular dementia. She was 85.
Gerry Marsden • Gerry Marsden, lead singer of the British pop band Gerry and the Pacemakers, died Jan. 3 after an infection of the heart. He was 78.
Kerry Vincent • "Food Network Challenge" judge and cake designing expert Kerry Vincent passed away Jan. 4. She was 75 years old.
Barbara Shelley •
"Dr. Who" actress and "Queen of Hammer" horror film star Barbara Shelley died Jan. 4. She was 88.
Tanya Roberts • Former Bond Girl and star of "A View to Kill," "Charlie's Angels" and "That 70s Show," Tanya Roberts, was confirmed dead Jan. 5 after initial erroneous reports that she had passed away and then was still alive. Roberts died of a urinary tract infection that spread to other organs. She was 65 years old.
Eric Jerome Dickey •
Renowned author Eric Jerome Dickey, whose 29 works included "Sister, Sister," died Jan. 5 after a battle with cancer. He was 59.
Neil Sheehan •
Acclaimed journalist, Pentagon Papers leaker and Pulitzer Prize winner Neil Sheehan died Jan. 7 from complications of Parkinson's Disease. He was 84.
Marion Ramsey •
Marion Ramsey, best known for playing soft-spoken Officer Laverne Hooks in the "Police Academy" franchise, died on Jan. 7 in her Los Angeles home.
Dearon " Deezer D" Thompson •
Actor and rapper Deezer D died Jan. 8 at his home in Los Angeles. The former "ER" star was 55.
Tommy Lasorda •
Tommy Lasorda, who spent 71 seasons playing with and managing the Los Angeles Dodgers, died Jan. 8. He was 93.
Dave Creek •
Dave Creek, lead character designer who'd worked on FOX's "Bob's Burgers" show since it debuted in 2011, died Jan. 8 after a skydiving accident. He was 42.
Photo: Dave Creek/Instagram
Michael Apted •
Michael Apted, director of documentary films including "Up" and "The Coal Miner's Daughter," died Jan. 8. He was 79.
John Reilly •
"General Hospital" star and " Beverly Hills 90210" actor John Reilly died Jan. 10. He was 84 years old.
Marsha Zazula •
Marsha Zazula, co-founder of Megaforce Records, the record label that launched Metallica's debut album and career, died Jan. 10. She was 68.
Stacy Title •
Stacy Title, director of films including "Let the Devil Wear Black," "The Last Supper" and "The Bye Bye Man," died Jan. 11 after a battle with ALS. She was 56.
Sheldon Adelson •
GOP financier and casino mogul Sheldon Adelson died Jan. 12. He was 87.
Jessica Campbell •
"Freaks and Geeks" and "Election" actress Jessica Campbell passed away unexpectedly Dec. 29, but her family announced her death Jan. 13. She was 38.
Siegfried Fischbacher •
The other half of legendary Las Vegas magic and animal act Siegfried & Roy died on Jan. 13 of pancreatic cancer, according to the Washington Post. He was 81.
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Angie Jakusz • Cassandra Anne “Angie” Jakusz, a former contestant on “Survivor: Palau," who earned the nickname "No Fun Angie," died on Jan. 8 after battling cancer. She was 40.
Photo: Monty Brinton/CBS
Joanne Rogers • Acclaimed pianist and the widow of Fred Rogers, better known as beloved children’s TV host Mister Rogers, died on Jan. 14. She was 92.
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Peter Mark Richman • The actor who appeared on numerous series, including “Beverly Hills, 90210” and “Dynasty,” died on Jan. 14 at the age of 93.
Mark Davis/Getty Images
Sylvain Sylvain • The guitarist and founding member of the pioneering rock group New York Dolls died on Jan. 13 following a battle with cancer. He was 69.
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Philip J. Smith • The Tony Award winner, who led Broadway’s Shubert Organization for decades, died on Jan. 15 at age 89. His cause of death was complications from COVID-19, according to his daughters Linda Phillips and Jennifer Stein.
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A look at all the stars in movies, TV, music, sports and media we’ve lost so far this year
A look at all the stars in movies, TV, music, sports and media we've lost this year