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Ken Jennings Honors Alex Trebek In First Jeopardy Episode As Guest Host

Last night (1/11) was Jeopardy’s first episode without iconic host Alex Trebek, and as expected, it was emotional. Past contestant Ken Jennings took the podium as the first guest host…

Ken Jennings

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Last night (1/11) was Jeopardy's first episode without iconic host Alex Trebek, and as expected, it was emotional. Past contestant Ken Jennings took the podium as the first guest host until a permanent one is chosen.

Jennings, who has the longest winning streak in Jeopardy history, acknowledged the gravity of his new role. "Sharing this stage with Alex Trebek was one of the greatest honors of my life," Jennings said. "Not many things in life are perfect, but Alex did this job pretty much perfectly for more than 36 years, and it was even better up close."

It was odd not seeing Alex as host, but Jennings pointed out that continuing on is what Trebek would have wanted. "No one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek. But we can honor him by playing the game he loved.”

GALLERY: The Legendary Alex Trebek

Jenny Bender is one third of the Kicks Wake Up Krew on Kicks 99 in Augusta, Georgia, along with Cash & Dub. She's married to Chris Bender and is doting dog mom to their two rescue fur babies, Mary Poppins Bender & Truly Scrumptious Bender. Jenny is a karaoke queen who loves Jesus, country music, cheese, and the color pink.