Television legends for $1000: They were last year’s most “outstanding game show host” and last year’s most “outstanding informative talk show host.”
Who are Alex Trebek and Larry King?
Correct. Trebek and King, who passed away in the last year at ages 80 and 87 respectively, took one final victory lap in spirit at Friday’s 48th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.
Trebek hosted the popular show Jeopardy! for 37 years prior to his death. This marked his 32nd Emmy nomination with eight wins overall, the third straight win in his category. Jeopardy! also won for best game show.
Accepting on their father’s behalf, Trebek’s children, Matthew and Emily Trebek, spoke from behind the show’s famous podium.
“For as long as we can remember, he was always so proud to be a part of Jeopardy!, to work on a show that was based on knowledge, risk, and the challenge,” Matthew said.
“He was so fortunate that he was able to do what he loved,” Emily added. “He not once took it for granted.”
A pre-taped special tribute featured First Lady Jill Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau praising the ubiquitous television presence. (Trebek was born in Ontario and had dual citizenship.)
The pre-taped segment also saluted Larry King and the recently-departed Regis Philbin.
King won his award for “informative talk show host” for Larry King Now, besting Jada Pinket Smith and Rachael Ray, among others. His sons, Chase and Cannon King, spoke on his behalf.
“This last season was a testament to his love for broadcasting,” Chase said of his indefatigable father.
Other big wins went to the mainstay General Hospital, which took home the best drama trophy, and Ina Garten for outstanding culinary host. Kelly Clarkson was also honored with outstanding entertainment talk show host, and Jurassic World Camp Cretaceous prevailed over the Drew Barrymore Show and others in the “outstanding daytime promotional announcement” category. (The full list of prizes can be read here.)
While no one would ever dream of replacing Larry King as host in a show called Larry King Now, audiences still await a final answer … (wait, wrong show!) about a new Jeopardy! star.
A series of guest hosts including Mayim Bialik, Katie Couric, Ken Jennings, and Aaron Rodgers have been filling in, but the fan-favorite (and fierce self-promoter) LeVar Burton will have the conn from July 26 through July 30. Whether he’ll then make that a permanent station is the question (or answer?) everyone wants to know.
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