Production of the hit game show Jeopardy! has been suspended as longtime host Alex Trebek recovers from brain surgery. In a video posted to the TV series’ website on Thursday, the 77-year-old revealed he’d undergone surgery on December 16th to remove blood clots from his brain.
According to Trebek, his medical condition — known as subdural hematoma — was the result of a bad fall he’d suffered in October. He was optimistic about his return, however, saying that he’d be back to his normal taping schedule “very, very soon.”
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Jeopardy! producers, Sony Pictures Entertainment, echoed Trebek’s positive outlook and offered a clearer timeline for his return. “He is expected to make a full and complete recovery,” the company shared in a statement. “Alex spent Christmas at home with his family, and he will return to the Jeopardy! studio for taping in mid-January.”
As the TV show is filmed in advance, Sony says it has many unaired episodes on the shelf and doesn’t anticipate a delay in its airing schedule.
Check out Trebek’s full announcement video below.