BETTY'S GOLDEN GIG
JEOPARDY! Host has no plans to retire from the game show anytime soon, despite his cancer battle, but he know who would want as his replacement when he does.
The 79-year-old TV personality joked he wants Betty White, 98, to take up the mantle.
While speaking with Good Morning America about his new memoir that released on Tuesday, offered some updates on his health, as well as his career.
Though he’s been fighting stage IV pancreatic cancer since early 2019, the father of two is ready to get back to work on and film new episodes.
If the time comes when he wants to retire and stop hosting, he knows the perfect person to replace him.
Alex shared: "I joke with the audience all the time and I say, 'Betty White,' because they want somebody younger, somebody funnier.”
Although the 79-year-old said the decision ultimately isn’t his to make, he and Betty “have been friends for a long, long time” and likes to choose her when people ask.
Like Alex, Betty’s been in the entertainment industry for a very long time.
The 98-year-old is best known for playing Sue Ann on The Mary Tyler Moore Show, from 1973 to 1977, Rose on The Golden Girls, from 1985 to 1992, and Elka on Hot in Cleveland, from 2010 to 2015.
The comedic actress, who is set to , has held countless other film and TV roles throughout her 70-year career.
She also does have some hosting experience and headlined her own show, a hidden camera show called Betty White’s Off Their Rockers and the daytime program The Betty White Show.
Betty also guest-hosted Live with Kelly and Ryan, The View, Saturday Night Live, Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, The Mike Douglas Show, Password and more.
Jeopardy! fans don’t have to worry about who will replace Alex just yet, though, as he’s , with a few changes.
Due to his health issues and the current coronavirus pandemic, the host told GMA: “We’ve redesigned our set to separate the contestants and myself a little bit more from them.
“So we are taking all kinds of precautions. Our testing procedure now is done online.”
Plus, they will only be taping two days per week, with five shows each day.
Breaking it all down, Alex said: “We’ll do three and take a short break, and then do the last two. And we’ll see how that goes.
“And if it’s too much for me, we can always cut back a little bit, maybe do four a day.”
After 36 years of hosting the game show, the father of two — who shares daughter Emily, 27, and son Matthew, 30, with wife Jean Currivan —still feels so much joy from the experience and loves the program.
Alex explained: “It’s the best kind of reality television I feel. People watch it, and if they come up with one or two correct responses in that half hour, they feel pretty good about themselves.
“And that’s great.”
The author, who release his new memoir The Answer is…: Reflections on My Life on Tuesday, revealed that his wife Jean has been a huge support in helping him stay positive and excited about things.
The host, who has opened up about throughout his cancer battle, said had “nothing to do” with his “love for her or feelings for her.”
Alex said: “It just has to do with the fact that I feel like I’m a terrible burden to her. And that bothers me tremendously.”
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The 79-year-old broke down in tears opening up about how supportive Jean has been, saying: "She’s a saint.
“She has so much goodness in her that she is always giving out, always putting out to help me get over difficult moments.
"And there have been some difficult moments. I’m just in awe of the way she handles it.”
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