WASHINGTON — Tonight in a rare moment for the TV game show, "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek became emotional when a contestant on the "Tournament of Champions Semi-Finals" decided to offer a heartwarming gesture, instead of giving a question.
During the "Final Jeopardy!" segment, contestant Dhruv Gaur wrote a message to Trebek rather than responding, effectively giving an incorrect reply to the game's trivia answer needing a question.
The move was a symbolic gesture, as Guar had been guaranteed to walk away with at least $10,000 for his participation.
It could be viewed technically as the wrong response, but the right move to show love and support for Trebek, who has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments.
Gaur's move had it so that his written message was read aloud by the host:"What is, We ♥ you, Alex!"
Trebek read out the answer and didn't seem to register what it said until after he finished, saying, "that's very kind of you thank you."
The "Jeopardy!" host gestured to the contestant podium and his voice quivered emotionally as he said, "that cost you, $1,995, you're left with 5 bucks, OK."
Gaur looked on, seemingly trying to keep his composure as well. The audience reacted with surprise.
It was a sincere heart-felt human moment, that obviously touched the longtime game show host who we have grown up with in our homes.
As Gaur later wrote on Twitter, "I'm just very grateful I got the opportunity to say what I know everyone was thinking. Sending all the love. #weloveyoualex."
Gaur is asking viewers to donate $1 for every question the contestants get right on the show to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.
Trebek has been hosting game shows for over half a century, and has hosted nearly 8,000 episodes of "Jeopardy!" according to the game show's official website. That's 35 years of hosting the wildly popular American program that has become a part of history and culture.
Show fans immediately started posting emotional reactions to social media.
Robbie Fox on Twitter said, "Did anybody predict that Jeopardy would make a nation cry tonight? Holy moly."
