Alex Trebek Remembered by ‘Jeopardy’ Announcer Johnny Gilbert: “Nobody Can Do It Like He Did It”

If you recognize the booming phrase “This is Jeopardy!” — you have Johnny Gilbert to thank. Gilbert voices every episode Jeopardy, and in a recent interview with AP News, he opened up about late host Alex Trebek‘s legacy and incoming replacement. The 92-year-old has stuck with the series after Trebek’s death, watching the succession of celebrities roll in and out of the host position.

“It’s not easy for me because I worked with Alex for 37 years, and I never thought of anybody replacing him,” he said. “Nobody can do it like he did it, you know.”

The Big Bang Theory‘s Mayim Bialik is the latest guest host to helm the show, with celebs like Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers, Bill Whitaker, and former competitors Ken Jennings and Buzzy Cohen preceding her. After Bialik’s gig ends, she’ll be followed by Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Sanjay Hupta, and George Stephanopoulos. After all of the hosts roll through the Jeopardy doors, the program is expected to announce a permanent host for next season at some point this summer.

Gilbert himself has no plans to retire, even though he’s been working in the show business since he was a teenager. Last year, he was hesitant to continue voicing the show after the loss of his longtime colleague. But others on the show told Gilbert his role was a “comforting touchstone” for all audiences who were still mourning the loss of Trebek.

“If you just listen to the way Johnny articulates each name, each word, he has a voice and even more importantly, delivery, unlike anyone else,” said the show’s executive producer Mike Richards. “The fact we can still rely on Johnny is obviously very important to us as well.”

During the pandemic, Gilbert has been taping his vocal contributions to the show remotely from Los Angeles. The syndicated version of former network series Jeopardy employed him with Trebek and co-creator Merv Griffin in 1984. “So 37 years ago, Merv hired me to be the announcer on a show called Jeopardy! for 13 weeks,” Gilbert recalled.

Gilbert is unsure as to whether the series will bring him back when taping resumes in late July or early August for Season 38. Gilbert not only voices the show — he also warms up the studio audience before the main host steps in to take the reigns.

“Johnny will be the announcer of Jeopardy! as long as he would like to be the announcer of Jeopardy!” Richards said. “I have told him that, and it’s just how he is, humble. He’s never taken the job for granted.”

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