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Alex Trebek gets some bad reviews as debate moderator

Some people thought he talked too much.

  • Ed Mahon
Moderator Alex Trebek speaks during a gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican Scott Wagner in Hershey , Pa., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. The debate is hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

 Matt Rourke / The Associated Press

Moderator Alex Trebek speaks during a gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican Scott Wagner in Hershey , Pa., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. The debate is hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Alex Trebek, host of the game show “Jeopardy!”, moderated the first and only scheduled debate in the Pennsylvania governor’s race.

Some of the reviews — at least on Twitter — weren’t so great.

“I appreciate that #alextrebek did a lot of homework to prepare for this debate. I don’t appreciate the fact he feels the need to show everyone what he’s learned about PA,” wrote U.S. Rep. Brendan Boyle, a Democrat.

Meanwhile, Drew Crompton, a top lawyer and aide in the Republican-controlled state Senate, wrote: “This was the first time I have watched a debate and was embarrassed by and for the moderator. Sensibility came from those answering the questions not from the person asking them.”

The Monday debate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf and Republican Scott Wagner  took place at the Hershey Lodge as part of an annual dinner for the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

Matt Rourke / Associated Press

Alex Trebek, left, moderates a gubernatorial debate between Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf, center, and Republican Scott Wagner in Hershey, Pa., Monday, Oct. 1, 2018. The debate is hosted by the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry.

At the start of the debate, Trebek told the crowd that he was afraid some people would leave thinking he was biased against a candidate.

“I am very nervous. But I accepted it. And I accepted it on the condition that I could get to do, do it my way,” Trebek told the crowd.

He said he wanted to host a different kind of debate. He said he wanted it to be a conversation, one that would allow him to prod and challenge the candidates. But he said there was only one rule.

“I will not tolerate any booing or hissing, not even if you direct it at the candidates,” Trebek said to laughs.

But near the end of the debate, after Trebek cut off discussion of a severance tax on natural gas drilling, there were some boos.

“I think they were booing you,” Wolf told Trebek.

The moderator reminded the crowd that he started the debate with a no booing or hissing rule.

“And now you’re directing it at me,” Trebek said.

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