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Richards explained that since Trebek's death was unexpected, his final show will be a \"normal 'Jeopardy!' episode\" filled with his uncanny wit and humor. Then, the credits will roll and Trebek will close as normal.

\"He didn't know it was going to be his last show, the contestants didn't know, we didn't know,\" Richards shared. \"He signs off and says, we'll see you next time, so you'll see a man at the peak of his powers.\"

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The last time Trebek addressed viewers directly was in his taped opening message that aired Monday evening, when the first of his final five \"Jeopardy!\" episodes kicked off. In it, the game show host urged viewers to show compassion during the coronavirus pandemic.

\"Open up your hands, and open up your heart to those still suffering with COVID-19,\" he told viewers. \"People who are suffering through no fault of their own. We're trying to build a gentler kinder society and if we all pitch in just a little bit -- we'll get there.\"

Richards said the crew didn't know that message was coming. \"I think he was trying to lift us up as bad as he felt he was there with that speech, trying to lift us up,\" he shared.

Starting next week, \"Jeopardy!\" super champ Ken Jennings will be one of several guest hosts who will take over \"for the foreseeable future,\" according to a statement Richards tweeted in late November.

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