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‘Jeopardy!’: Aaron Rodgers Announces Final Jaw-Dropping Charity Donation Total After Run

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers finished hosting “Jeopardy!” on Friday and revealed how much was raised for his charity.

Rodgers, who is a former “Celebrity Jeopardy!” champion, said “Jeopardy!” is donating $236,725 to the North Valley Community Foundation. In an Instagram post, Rodgers said the money donated will go toward helping small businesses that have been affected by COVID-19.

With Rodgers wrapping his two-week guest-host stint, he’ll now go get ready for the next National Football League season. “Jeopardy!” has been using guest hosts while looking for a permanent replacement after Alex Trebek died from cancer in 2020.

Anderson Cooper Follows Rodgers As Next Guest Host

Up next to guest host the show is CNN host and “60 Minutes” correspondent Anderson Cooper. After Cooper, “TODAY” show cohost Savannah Guthrie and former “The Big Bang Theory” star and neuroscientist Mayim Bialyk are scheduled to stand behind the lectern.

On Tuesday night, a tweet from “Jeopardy!” and Rodgers perfectly captured his feelings about the game. 

In a clip from a recent show, a contestant named Dennis requests the “Title” category for 400. It said, “In the 1960s, these midwesterners earned five NFL championship trophies.”

A hush fell among contestants. When the bell sounds, Rodgers holds up both hands and looks at them. With a very calm voice and a smile, he states, “Green Bay Packers.” 

‘Jeopardy!’ Ratings, Numbers Tank After Ken Jennings Hosts

It would be nice to believe that “Jeopardy!” would maintain the high numbers the show brought in while Trebek was still alive.

The sad truth, though, is they are going in a downward trend. Now when Ken Jennings hosted the show, numbers were staying solid and strong. But they went spiraling into the tank upon having Dr. Mehmet Oz host for two weeks.

Trebek and Oz were close friends, but the Dr.’s controversial presence took its toll on TV ratings.

His second week alone dragged “Jeopardy!” from its steady 6 million weekly viewers down to 4.9 million, according to Showbiz411.

411 clarifies, however, that Oz isn’t completely to blame – though he is the main culprit. Journalism icon Katie Couric’s tenure as guest host saw a rating dip. Couric’s time followed “Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards hosting the show for two weeks himself.

Jennings’ presence on “Jeopardy!” kept the show at its long-held 6-million-plus viewership. The show will look for a rebound in numbers as more guest hosts get a chance to lead the show.