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‘Jeopardy!’: George Stephanopoulos Wraps Up Guest Hosting Stint, How Does He Compare to Other Guest Hosts?

Journalist and television personality George Stephanopoulos will step behind the “Jeopardy!” host’s podium one final time today (Friday).

Stephanopoulos began his stint as the guest host of “Jeopardy!” on Monday and will conclude with Friday’s episode. Unlike previous guest hosts taking on the challenge, Stephanopoulos was only allotted a tenure of one week. He is the first of several more guest hosts who will only serve in the role for just one week and a total of five episodes.

The former political advisor will return to his day job as co-anchor of ABC’s “Good Morning America.” Interestingly, it is his co-host on the morning show, Robin Roberts, who will step behind the “Jeopardy!” lectern next. Stephanopoulos and Roberts are co-anchors on the ABC program along with former NFL standout Michel Strahan.

Stephanopoulos drew mostly favorable reviews for his performance on “Jeopardy!” with fans noting the smoothness of his operation of the game. In an informal poll conducted by TV Line, nearly 10 percent of voters say they would like to see the longtime newscaster get the permanent hosting position. It isn’t known if Stephanopoulos is a serious candidate for the full-time role or even if he is interested in it.

The “Jeopardy!” host’s podium has become a rotating door since the passing of longtime host Alex Trebek. The television icon passed away on November 8 of last year after a lengthy battle with stage four pancreatic cancer. He was 80-years-old at the time of his death and in true Alex Trebek fashion, he filmed his final episodes just days before his death. The legendary game show host presided over “Jeopardy!” for 37 years.

‘Jeopardy!” Utilizes Celebrites to Fill Vaccant Host Position

Knowing that replacing Trebek would be a tough chore, “Jeopardy!” are utilizing celebrities to act as guest hosts. Some of the more recognizable names to take on hosting duties are: former contestants Ken Jennings and Buzzy Cohen; journalists Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper, Bill Whitaker and Dr. Sanjay Gupta; actress Mayim Bialik and NFL superstar Aaron Rodgers.

According to another poll from TV Line, the top two fan choices are Bialik and Jennings. “Jeopardy!” officials home to name a new permanent host sometime this year, according to executive producer Mike Richards, who also took a turn as guest host.

“Our goal has been to present a wide variety of guest hosts with different skill sets and backgrounds on our path to finding a permanent host,” he says. “Our passionate fans are telling us what they like, and we are listening. All of the guest hosts have brought individualism, energy and an authentic love of our show to each of their episodes.”

It remains to be seen who will end up behind the “Jeopardy!” hosting podium but fans are excited to see who it is.