Alex Trebek Was Simply the Best: TRAINA THOUGHTS

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek gave us the stability and entertainment we crave.

1. Stability and comfort. We all seek it. We all want it. We all love it.

That's what Alex Trebek gave us, hosting Jeopardy! every single week night at 7 p.m since 1984.

(I know Jeopardy! airs at other times across the nation, so save your tweets and just go with me here.)

As sports fans, we especially love stability. We loved knowing every single Dodgers game was going to be called by Vin Scully. We loved knowing Marv Albert would be behind the mic for a big NBA game. We love knowing every Saturday morning, Lee Corso is going to put on a mascot head.

And this country as a whole loved knowing that no matter what was going on in the world or in a person's life, they could turn on their television at 7 p.m. and Alex would be there running the iconic game show.

That's why Trebek's death on Sunday stung a little more. It truly was like losing a friend. We knew it was coming, but that didn't soften the blow. 

Trebek put up a public fight against pancreatic cancer and always appeared upbeat. There was one notable time when he let his guard down slightly, and it instantly became a powerful television moment.

“We love you, Alex.” RIP to the 🐐 pic.twitter.com/bZUvzVt0Et

— Jimmy Traina (@JimmyTraina) November 8, 2020

Trebek gave us other memorable moments throughout his illustrious career.

Who can forget his cameo in White Men Can't Jump? According to Rosie Perez, Trebek didn't get flustered when she flubbed a line and kept the scene going as only he could.

Very sad. #AlexTrebek fought with dignity to the very end. Will never forget filming with him #WhiteMenCantJump. He was kind and funny. When I mispronounced Mt. Vesuvius, he went right along & ad-libbed "checking with the judges" and the rest is history. You will be missed! xoxo https://t.co/SzGfJIyJX3

— Rosie Perez (@rosieperezbklyn) November 8, 2020

Never forget that the legendary Alex Trebek appeared in the smash hit film White Men Can't Jump. (1992)@rosieperezbklyn's mispronouncing of Vesuvius was not in the script. Trebek rolled with it and it ultimately made the final cut. pic.twitter.com/T2BeIHwRTe

— Hoops Nostalgia (@HoopsNostalgia) November 8, 2020

Trebek also wasn't shy about showing his disappointment in contestants when their performance was shaky at best, which famously happened once when "Talkin' Football" was a category.

But what we all need to remember today is Trebek was also an excellent rapper.

Thank you and rest in peace, Alex.

2. Twitter does not miss an opportunity to gloat when someone loses. No, I'm not referring to Donald Trump here. I'm referring to Tom Brady throwing three picks in a 38–3 loss to the Saints on Sunday night.

I understand why you might not want to watch a 31-0 NFL game, but I have no idea why you would not want to watch a 31-0 NFL game where Tom Brady has the zero

— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) November 9, 2020

How many quarterbacks does New Orleans have that were more effective than Tom Brady? pic.twitter.com/UYAlTl17a9

— Jody Smith (@JodySmithNFL) November 9, 2020

Tom Brady will be holding his post-game press conference in the Four Seasons Landscaping parking lot.

— jimmy dunn (@jimmydunncomedy) November 9, 2020

Saints defense to Tom Brady pic.twitter.com/otHjv9OVe4

— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 9, 2020

Trump called Tom Brady to tell him that the buccaneers are winning BIG....

— “The Bad Boy” Joey Janela (@JANELABABY) November 9, 2020

3. This was the single best play that took place Sunday.

a quick breakdown of Philip Rivers getting tackled by a ghost pic.twitter.com/2byrneG3fu

— Mike Camerlengo (@MCamerlengo) November 9, 2020

4. Just want to help out Tony Romo here. Obviously, Romo is great and we appreciate any broadcaster dropping Seinfeld lines during a game. However, you must get the quote correct. During Sunday's Steelers-Cowboys game, Romo said, “It’s only a lie, Jerry, if you believe it.”

The exact quote from George Costanza, though, is "It's not a lie, if you believe it."

5. The latest SI Media Podcast features an interview with the legendary Paul Heyman. The podcast started with Heyman's questioning me when I asked how he was doing. He then ripped me for writing that Bobby Heenan is the greatest wrestling manager of all time. Then we got into Heyman's role as Roman Reigns's special counsel and how that partnership came to be. The podcast ended with Heyman sharing behind-the-scenes details and insight into his famous "pipe bomb" on Vince McMahon.

You can listen to the podcast below or download it on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher and Google Play.

6. RANDOM VIDEO OF THE DAY: Every now and then, you just gotta tip your cap to the internet.

OH MY GAWD!! BUSINESS HAS JUST PICKED UP!!! pic.twitter.com/EI3a6mFXZY

— 90s WWE (@90sWWE) November 8, 2020

7. SPORTS VIDEO OF THE DAY: NFL Films interviewed Alex Trebek about that "Talkin' Football" category that turned out to be a disaster, and he pulled no punches.

We are saddened by the passing of Alex Trebek, one of the absolute greats.
A true icon who will be missed beyond measure.pic.twitter.com/SZaUq9oxEc

— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) November 8, 2020

Be sure to catch up on past editions of Traina Thoughts and check out the Sports Illustrated Media Podcast hosted by Jimmy Traina on Apple, Spotify or Stitcher. You can also follow Jimmy on Twitter and Instagram.