Alex Trebek is taking a break from filming Jeopardy! after undergoing surgery last month to remove a hematoma.
Trebek made the announcement himself in a video posted to Jeopardy!’s YouTube channel, where he told viewers that he had “a slight medical problem” during the holiday break. He was hospitalized Dec. 15 and diagnosed with a subdural hematoma (blood clots on the brain), which was caused from a fall back in October. Fortunately, the surgery went off without a hitch and Trebek has spent the past few weeks recovering from it.
“After two days in the hospital I came home to start recovery,” Trebek said. “The prognosis is excellent and I expect to be back in the studio taping more Jeopardy! programs very, very soon.”
Jeopardy! iterated that Trebek is in the midst of recovering from surgery and will return to the show around mid-January, which will only affect an upcoming tournament due to how far in advance Jeopardy! tapes.
“Alex spent Christmas at home with his family, and he will return to the Jeopardy! studio for taping in mid-January,” the show said in a statement. “Because Jeopardy! tapes months in advance, the only change made to the show’s schedule concerns the upcoming College Championship, which will now air in April. Otherwise, Jeopardy’s broadcast schedule is unaffected.”
H/T Daily Mail