You don't really expect to see a lot of emotional moments on Jeopardy! and you sure as heck don't expect to see Alex Trebek getting choked up. But that's what happened on Monday's night's airing of the perennial TV quiz show, when a contestant's heartfelt message of support had the host fighting back tears.
During the "Final Jeopardy" round, contestant Dhruv Gaur revealed his response to evening's final question: "What is we [heart] you Alex!" Not quite the correct response; just some real love for Mr. Trebek, who has been publicly fighting a battle with pancreatic cancer. Just before Gaur's message, Trebek had announced that he was undergoing another round of chemotherapy.
Realizing the message was intended for him, Trebek was visibly moved. "That's very kind of you, thank you," he replied with his voice cracking. Watch the touching moment, and I dare you not to get choked up too:
This is so touching. pic.twitter.com/6KQ7MBNzDc
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) November 12, 2019
The "wrong" answer cost Gaur $1995 -- leaving him with $5. Though clearly, it was worth it.
"We were all hurting for him so badly," Gaur shared on Twitter. "When Final Jeopardy came up, I could've tried to puzzle it together, but really, just kept thinking about Alex, and thought he should know."
...for context, Alex had just shared with us that he was reentering treatment for pancreatic cancer. We were all hurting for him so badly. 2/n
— Dhruv Gaur (@dhruvg_) November 12, 2019
When Final Jeopardy came up, I could’ve tried to puzzle it together, but really, just kept thinking about Alex, and thought he should know. 3/n
— Dhruv Gaur (@dhruvg_) November 12, 2019
I’m just very grateful I got the opportunity to say what I know everyone was thinking. Sending all the love. #weloveyoualex
— Dhruv Gaur (@dhruvg_) November 12, 2019
I think it's clear who the real winner was this evening.
November happens to be Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month -- signified by the purple ribbons all the Jeopardy! contestants are wearing. Gaur and his fellow Tournament of Champions competitors are organizing a charitable play-along this week to raise money for pancreatic cancer research. For more information, go here.
