‘Jeopardy!’ Producer Reveals When to Expect New Permanent Host Announcement
While Jeopardy! is currently going through a revolving door of guest hosts, fans won’t have to wait much longer to find out who is taking over the quiz show permanently.
Executive producer Mike Richards, who recently guest-hosted himself, shed some light on the matter when he appeared on The Wall Street Journal’s podcast The Journal last week. He stated that a decision will be made before filming begins on the 38th season in late July or early August and explained why the hiring process has taken so long.
“We started talking about it internally that to name someone right away would be very hard for us because we were still reeling from the loss [of Alex Trebek],” said Richards. “If on Friday it’s Alex’s last show and then Monday it’s a new person’s show, that would probably be unfair to the person stepping in to do it.”
Trebek passed away in November 2020 after a nearly two-year battle with pancreatic cancer and his final Jeopardy! episode aired in January. Since then, several guest stars have taken up the mantle, including Ken Jennings, Katie Couric, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Aaron Rodgers, Anderson Cooper, and currently 60 Minutes reporter Bill Whitaker.
Whether any of these guest hosts will be given the full-time role remains to be seen, as even Richards himself isn’t sure who the new host will be.
“It’s going to come down to the heads of Sony to make that decision, ultimately, and it’ll come down to testing,” he told The Journal. “They’ve been a part of it. They know what’s going on in the studio. They’re watching the feed, the tapings. It’s very extensive. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever been a part of, as far as testing in its size and scope.”
There is still a strong lineup of guest hosts to come as Jeopardy! finishes up its 37th season. This includes the likes of Mayim Bialik, Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Robin Roberts, LeVar Burton, and Joe Buck.
“You want to make an informed decision,” Richards continued. “We want to go at this with real analytics and real testing and not just go, ‘Hey, how about this guy?’ which is kind of how a lot of these decisions have been made historically.”
Jeopardy!, Season 37, Weeknights, Check your local listings
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So far, all the guest hosts were actually pretty darn good. But ... I still favor Ken Jennings.
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ME TOO !!
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Thus far, Ken Jennings, Mike Richards and Anderson Cooper have far and away been the best!
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Ken Jennings is the personification of JEOPARDY. He is the one and only choice.
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I really like Aaron Rodgers!!
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My prediction is that the people who will make the decision have to be "woke" so likely it won't be a white, male. Believe me, they will not choose the most popular guest host. Think Tom Bergeron being replaced with the no-talent, trainwreck that is Tyra Banks.
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Bill Whitaker has my vote.
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Anyone EXCEPT Anyone except Guthrie for Jeopardy!
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Mayim Bialek, once she got comfortable, sorta knocked it out of the park too.
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I agree here too. Mayim has been outstanding.
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I really like Mayim, I felt she was funny enough & she is very well educated. Why not a woman? But keep up the great work.
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The best host so far…Mayim Bialik.
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Anyone but Ken Jennings.. He is just to cocky.. And he doesn't have any real personality..
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She's Dr. Mayim Bialik. Everyone keeps giving the men the Dr. title and leaves out hers. Grrrr.
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She has been the best so far. And, I was never a Big Bang full time watcher. Anderson as #2. Jennings is a no.
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Buzzy and Mike Richards hands down!
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I've watched all the guest host. By far Buzzy has done the best job. I was actually presently surprised.
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Ken Jennings by far...all others were plastic...
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Aaron Rodgers and Mike Richards are my favorites so far.
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Too much of one thing is not a good thing.
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Matin Bialik was by far the best most natural guest host and would make me keep watching!!!! She fit the mold exactly and her voice was pleasant to hear !!!,
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I think Ken Jennings has issues! Several of his his defects were exposed on Twitter. I've seen several hosts that were okay, and there are still quite a few more to go. Luckily, the majority won't be deciding this.
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I think Mike Richards did the best.
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Ken Jennings and LaVar Burton would be the worst choices, for different reasons. Jennings is over-exposed (already on two other shows, who needs to see him on a third?) Burton was among the worst hosts who tried out as guest host...actually very boring! The other really good ones, besides Mike Richards who was excellent were: Mayim Bialek, Dave Faber and Aaron Rodgers...all would have been good choices. Then there was Buzzy Cohen, who used to tease Alex about wanting his job. He proved he could easily do it. I am glad I did not have to make a choice, but if it ends up being Mike Richards, the choice is an excellent one.
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I am disappointed, If they wanted Mike Richards then why waste everyone's time. He is an insider and they knew all along.
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Buzzy Cohen !!!!
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I liked Mike Richards best!
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If its a Caucasian Male that would be sexism and or racism. I doubt a Caucasian male will get it, even if more qualified
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buzzy or Richards for sure
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Ken Jennings is it! End of story. This is who Alex Trebek wanted. Respect Mr. Trebeks wishes.
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You're insane! She was condescending and just plain horrible!
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I m confused that no one is picking.Buzzy. He seemed like a natural. I was pleasantly surprised by his hosting ability. And then there is always Ken Jennings
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Totally agree!
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Mike Richards is far the BEST.
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eloswtIt's just getting really old! Pick a host and let him/her build the show ! I loved Alex! But that doesn't mean he was the only person who could be great on Jeopardy. Just get it over with! I am getting sick of watching and I have been a fan for 30 years!
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This process is taking too long. Many of the guest host that have gone through the process or are about to go through the process, like many we are not interested in. I am a Ken Jennings fan since he knows his stuff by being a contestant that has won big unlike the others who have tried out. He is also a very likeable individual like Alex. With all of the fake news going on out there I don't favor any TV Reporter / Anchor. I am not a fan of any comedian or sports figures either
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Most guest hosts are pleasantly capable with a favorable personality.
Almost anyone except Aaron Rodgers or Dr. Oz. Will reserve final decision until all guest hosts have appeared.
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I hope it is Ken Jennings and just forget the others.
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I don't agree with Anderson's politics, but he is a great host!
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Either ken Jennings or buzzy… definitely not LaVar … he loves himself too much 🤢
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I like ken Jennings, Mike Richards best. Will quit watching al together if they choose Katie couric after her statement about Trump supporters won’t watch Anderson cooper either, any of the rest I will deal with
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I say Ken Jennings has been the best so far
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Give me Buzzy! He has actual Jeopordy creds. Not to mention he was dubbed "Mister Personality" by Alex Trebek
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Buzzy was by far the BEST so far.
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I only can see Ken Jennings as the new host. Anyone else doesn't feel right.
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I think that the longer Mike Richards holds off announcing a host, the more it is obvious that Alex is not the irreplaceable host he said he was. It appears that there are quite a few candidates that have done just as good a job as Alex did. Mike, get off the pot and chose one. My choice is Aaron Rodgers.
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Jep has already had way too much of Ken Jennings. Mike was good, but unlikely since he has another important job on the show.
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Aaron Rogers
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Isn't George S. from GMA supposed to be a guest host?
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NO! NOT JOE BUCK!!
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Not Jennings! Love Mike Richard's and Buzzy Cohen!
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The guest hosts have all done a pretty good job. I would not like to see Dr. Oz as a permanent host, because Jeopardy stands for facts and integrity, and he is more of a snake oil salesman. Anderson Cooper is a really good host; smooth, quick-witted and kind to the contestants. Ken Jennings did very well. I'd like to see Brad Rutter get a chance. Like Ken, he was a wonderful champion, and he has a great voice for tv.
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?? I like the idea of choosing a master guest host and two fill ins. Aaron Rodgers in his off-season hand Ken Jennings hand producer Mike filling in when appropriate. There really is no replacement for Alex so why not go with this format, at least for the next year or so. these test runs have shown that there are several people capable of caring the show. Anderson Cooper also did an excellent job.
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Guests hosts forever! And have Will Ferrell as one! All the hosts have been very good, it’s fun to see the differences!
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Ken Jennings has been the best so far. Best in audience appeal. A winner! Keep him!!!
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YES!!
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Buzzy has been the only guest host to bring that spark and level of excitement back to the game. It's feeling like Jeapardy! again. He would make a perfect permanent host. With his level of knowledge as a previous contestant he is by far the best choice.
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Buzzy was by far the best as well as Anderson.
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Buzzy Cohen... great personality.... would be a good choice
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I still think, after all the guest hosts so far, that Mike Richards is my first choice, followed by Anderson Cooper and Ken Jennings.
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Anderson Cooper is so good at hosting, you'd almost think Alex Trebek was back. HE'S got years of experience, smiles, knowledge, and the added essence of a new being anew parent. ANDERSON COOPER!!!
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Hope they don't decide before they see LeVar in July!
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Robin Roberts
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Katie did a fantastic job!
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I am very pleased with Bill Whitaker. He is doing a fantastic job & I enjoy his persona, voice inflections, etc. He has my vote.
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