Alex Trebek has received a Daytime Emmy award for his performance as the host of Jeopardy! – which he accepted with a humorous speech saying he welcomed what he described as a possible “sympathy” vote.
The crowd erupted in cheers when Trebek, who revealed in March that he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer, stepped onstage to pick up his Outstanding Game Show Host award.
“Ever since the nominations came out, I have worried about this moment,” Trebek told the audience after a rousing standing ovation.
“Let me explain. You were worried about winning. I was concerned that sympathy might play a big role in the voting this year.”
The crowd protested Trebek’s implication, but he put his hand up.
“Let me finish,” he added. “I’m not a big fan of sympathy votes. I believe we should all be judged on the merit of our work.”
Trebek continued with his trademark tongue-in-cheek humour: ”However, I started thinking back to last year. Last year, I was nominated. I had just had major surgery to remove two life-threatening blood clots on my brain. You would think that would have elicited a certain amount of sympathy, but I didn’t win!”
He then referred to Sally Field’s acceptance speech at the 1985 Oscars, during which she won the Academy Award for Best Actress and told the audience: “I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me.”
“Maybe I’ve been worrying about the wrong thing,” Trebek added, “and I said: ‘Just do what Sally Field in a different venue many, many years ago and look at this as a sign that you guys like me and that you value my work.
“And I’ll tell you, if that’s the case, I can live with that. Thank you.”
Trebek has hosted Jeopardy! since 1984. He has won six Daytime Emmys, including Sunday night’s, for his performance on the game show.
