The other day on the blog, Glen Davis said he had met Alex Trebek, and “He’s everything you might expect. Handsome, suave, smart and amazingly modest.” That’s exactly how he comes across in his memoir, The Answer Is…Reflections on My Life, a humble man who had no intention of writing his memoir. But, his life took a turn when he was diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer. The outpouring of love and support made him reassess his decision not to tell his story.

The book really is a collection of memories. It’s not written in the typical format of a memoir. There are short chapters, just a couple pages, and, quite often, a photo to go with the chapter. They are Trebek’s memories, and he admits they might not be accurate, but it’s how he remembers these stories. His father was a Ukranian immigrant who spent much of his career working as a chef at the Nickel Range Hotel in Sudbury, Canada. He spoke Polish, Ukranian, Russian, and English, and often acted as a translator for other immigrants. His mother was French Canadian. Trebek himself grew up bilingual because most of his classes in school were in French, so he speaks French and English. His parents separated, but never divorced, while he was in high school.

Some chapters are devoted to Trebek’s years in school. Then, he became a temp for the Canadian Broadcasting Company. In his last year of college, he was hired permanently by the CBC in Ottawa, but eventually was transferred to Toronto because he was bilingual. He covers his move to California, his years hosting various game shows, and his years with Jeopardy. He also covers both of his marriages. He remains close to his first wife, and she and his second wife are friends. It’s just what fans would expect of Alex Trebek.

We would also expect comments about the show and the competitors we remember over the years. He talks about the winners, NYC police officer Frank Spangenberg, Ken Jennings, Churck Forrest, James Holzhauser, Brad Ritter. Each of the recent winners is covered in a chapter, “Who is Ken Jennings?”, etc., in the standard Jeopardy format.

Alex Trebek’s book really is for all of us who have watched him and Jeopardy for years and years. He even acknowledges that some have thought he was aloof. That really comes down to two reasons. He corrects the wrong answers on the show. And, he still feels as if he’s a host, there to make the contestants shine, not to put the focus on himself. It’s really been in the last year or so since his cancer diagnosis that the focus has been on Alex Trebek. But, when reading The Answer Is…, it’s obvious he prefers to remain in the background.

I remember the early edition of Jeopardy. Alex Trebek has hosted the show now for more than thirty-five years. Although he reveals some of himself and some about the show in this memoir, it’s obvious he hopes Jeopardy goes on long after he’s gone. Let’s hope he has some time yet to tape the show and host Jeopardy. We would like to see this humble, hard-working man have a little more time.

The Answer Is…by Alex Trebek. Simon & Schuster, 2020. ISBN 9781982157999 (hardcover), 292p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book