Alex Trebek: Jeopardy host opens up on 'deep sadness' of cancer diagnosis

Trebek says he feels 'so weak all the time' due to chemotherapy

Alex Trebek has acknowledged the “deep sadness” that has come with his cancer diagnosis, in keeping with the open attitude he has displayed since publicly announcing his illness in March.

The 78-year-old Jeopardy! host discussed his diagnosis and treatment with Robin Roberts on Good Morning America on Wednesday morning.

He told the host his oncologist has told him he is “doing well”, although he doesn’t always feel this way.

“I’ve had kidney stones. I’ve had ruptured disks. So I’m used to dealing with pain,” Trebek said.

“But what I’m not used to dealing with is these surges that come on suddenly of deep, deep sadness. And it brings tears to my eyes.”

Still, Trebek said he is “fighting through” the disease and that his blood work has been encouraging.

He insisted there is “nothing wrong” with cancer patients acknowledging when they feel depressed. Trebek pointed out that chemotherapy affects every patient differently and that in his case, he feels “so weak all the time”.

The host also discussed current Jeopardy! champion James Holzhauer, who has now won 18 consecutive games.

“He has forced me to change a view that I have held for many years,” he said, “and that is that the Ken Jennings record would never be broken.”

Jennings won 74 consecutive games in 2004, taking home $2.5m.