Video: That Time Alex Trebek Opened ‘Jeopardy!’ Without Pants

Alex Trebek once greeted “Jeopardy!” Tournament of Champions contestants including Ken Jennings without any pants and there is video to prove it! This prank by the Emmy award-winning game show host is an absolute riot.

Tributes continuing pouring in for beloved game show host Alex Trebek who lost his battle with pancreatic cancer in November.

While many are about his kindness and thoughtfulness, Brad Rutter’s story highlights Trebek’s sense of humor.

Alex Trebek Kicks Of Tournament Of Champions Without Pants

Rutter is one of “Jeopardy’s” highest earning contestants, earning $4.6 million.

Before a tense show began with a lot of money on the line, Trebek helped break the ice during 2005 Tournament of Champions. 

Rutter was competing against Ken Jennings and Jerome Vered.

Before the show started, they joked about not wearing pants during the show. Since they stood behind podiums, the audience would never know.

“We were so nervous, we were just all pale as a ghost,” Rutter shared.

Of course they were just joking, but their mics were on and Trebek heard the conversation. He took the opportunity to surprise everyone.

The typically serious game show host stepped out of character and surprised them all. The contestants’ nerves were immediately alleviated and replaced with laughter.

The host was introduced as usual as if the Tournament of Champions was about to begin. Then Alex Trebek came out in his typical suit jacket, but was missing his pants.

What a riot! You can see this classic “Jeopardy!” moment in the video below.

Search For New “Jeopardy!” Host

A permanent “Jeopardy!” host has not yet been named. There will be guest hosts until they find the right match for the beloved game show.

RELATED: Inside Alex Trebek’s Final Hours And When His Last ‘Jeopardy!’ Episode Will Air

“Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings will be the first to take the helm on January 11. 

It’s hard to imagine anyone replacing Trebek who hosted the show for decades. That’s why the search will be rather extensive. 

From The New York Post: 

“Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards told Deadline the show is in no rush to name a successor to Trebek, who lost his 20-month battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer in November. He was 80.

“The search is going very well, there are a lot of people very interested in hosting ‘Jeopardy!,’” Richards said, without revealing the candidates, of which there are many rumors.

“We are going to take our time and talk to a lot of people, have some people guest host and see what our fans think as well,” he said.

Jennings and television powerhouse Katie Couric have both been tapped to host “Jeopardy!” in the interim after Trebek’s final appearance airs this week.

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