Bidding a final, poignant adieu to "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek amidst our nation's chaos

In normal times and in those falling into the category of the new normal, these would be the dualistic terms by which we'd define this week. As for which show and when that would happen, Trebek genuinely couldn't say, explaining that he decided a long time ago that he'd make that call "on a whim, on that particular day." Because of this, Richard says the words marking Trebek's last moments on the show that he made an institution are the same that close every episode: "See you next time." and watch Trebek deftly guide contestants through the responses he was looking for... and appreciate the physical effort it took for him to be in their presence, to fulfill the awkward banter segment, to congratulate each small victory along the way to final "Jeopardy!" I cannot recreate the experience better that my colleague and Trebek super-fan Mary Elizabeth Williams does in the tribute she wrote to him: There's that little pause of Canadian restraint, as if to say, "I thought it was obvious," before his devastating, "I'm sorry but of course we were looking for James Monroe/Liechtenstein/igneous rock."