# How did you feel when Alex Trebek shaved off his mustache? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** reality-or-game-show\ **Created:** [June 17, 2021, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456 "2021-06-17T12:44:24Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/1 "2021-06-17T12:44:24Z")
This trivial little reminiscence is just for fun, but what kind of reaction did you have when the late, great Alex Trebek shaved off his iconic mustache back in 2001? Did it propel you into an existential crisis? Or did you prefer him without it? Or did you hardly notice or care one way or the other? I for one was sorry. The mustache was quite distinctive; with it he looked like an alpha male (think Magnum P.I.); without it, it really seemed like something was missing and like he had a prominent dimple under his nose. The _Jeopardy_ experience just wasn’t the same without it. Then in 2014, he re-grew the mustache, and polled viewers as to whether or not he should keep it. The result was roughly 50-50 for/against - _and_ Alex’ wife voted against. He shaved it off again. (He did the same thing in 2018 with a full beard. This time, a majority of fans voted in favor, but then his wife voted against the beard, so off it went). After this, I figured, sure. He _should_ please his wife (an attractive brunette significantly younger than him, for the record) over some geeky fans. [Here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rH4c-J3kU88&t=191s), by the way, is a funny clip from the Howard Stern show where Alex talks about this very subject. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/2 "2021-06-17T12:47:30Z")
It was the beginning of the end for Western Civilization. ---
**Author:** ![Turek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/turek/32/18782_2.png) [@Turek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Turek)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 1:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/3 "2021-06-17T13:04:36Z")
It was, is, and forever will be, impossible for me to care any less. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/4 "2021-06-17T13:59:59Z")
I felt that he had sold out. That 'stache was sexy. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/5 "2021-06-17T14:39:53Z")
I just want to say that I am honored, and humbled, to be allowed to wear a beard and mustache, like St. Trebek, and I only hope that I can live up to his ideals and standards. Thank you. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/6 "2021-06-17T14:52:35Z")
Wear a 'stache when you’re young, a full beard when you’re old. I wore a 'stache in my 20s. Made me feel like I’d just walked off the set of a porn flick! 😏 ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/7 "2021-06-17T17:13:58Z")
> [@themapleleaf](#): > > The mustache was quite distinctive; with it he looked like an alpha male (think Magnum P.I.); without it, it really seemed like something was missing Just like Weird Al Yankovic! ---
**Author:** ![themapleleaf](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/themapleleaf/32/14349_2.png) [@themapleleaf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/themapleleaf)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/8 "2021-06-17T17:53:25Z")
> [@terentii](#): > > Wear a 'stache when you’re young, a full beard when you’re old. -Basically like the famous person in your avatar did. ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [June 17, 2021, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/9 "2021-06-17T17:54:52Z")
Bingo! I got the fisherman’s sweater too. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![john\_b\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/a9a28c/32.png) [@john\_b\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/john_b_2)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 6:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/10 "2021-06-18T06:12:39Z")
I felt bad for Alex. He looked so urbane and distinguished with the mustache, while without it, just a pleasant looking older gentleman. Good looking guy, Alex Trebek shoulda kept the 'stash. ---
**Author:** ![Ashtura](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ashtura/32/2963_2.png) [@Ashtura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ashtura)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/11 "2021-06-18T13:30:59Z")
I’m not sure whether he objectively looked better with or without, but at some point his mustachioed look became so damn iconic that shaving it off was like demolishing a historic landmark. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 1:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/12 "2021-06-18T13:38:19Z")
Back in '09 when I was on the show (one time and I lost), in the short bit after where the contestants are standing up front during the credits, I asked him if he ever felt “phantom mustache” pains. He gave me a slightly dirty look and walked back to his dressing room as the taping wrapped up. Never got an answer. ---
**Author:** ![Dung\_Beetle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dung_beetle/32/7945_2.png) [@Dung\_Beetle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dung_Beetle)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/13 "2021-06-18T14:19:02Z")
“How do you think I feel? Betrayed, bewildered…wrong response?” [/Nathan Lane] ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 18, 2021, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/14 "2021-06-18T15:15:00Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > He gave me a slightly dirty look and walked back to his dressing room as the taping wrapped up. And THAT is why I don’t miss Trebek one bit. You could sense that attitude even during the meet and greet section of the show. ---
**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/15 "2021-06-19T00:23:05Z")
Agreed. > [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > And THAT is why I don’t miss Trebek one bit. You could sense that attitude even during the meet and greet section of the show ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2021, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-did-you-feel-when-alex-trebek-shaved-off-his-mustache/944456/16 "2021-06-19T05:21:02Z")
I felt like I feel about most things during waking hours. Nothing and or apathy.