jeopardy!-show-announces-new-round-of-celebrity-guest-hosts

‘Jeopardy!’: Show Announces New Round of Celebrity Guest Hosts

A whole new host of celebrities will soon be hosting the “Jeopardy!” The popular trivia show has been hosted by a celebrity since the passing of longtime host Alex Trebek in November 2020.

According to an article by Deadline.com, stepping in as guest hosts in the near future will be Savannah Guthrie, Anderson Cooper, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, and Dr. Mehmet Oz. The new group of celebrity hosts was made public by Mike Richards, an executive producer on the show.

Cooper has previously appeared on the show as a contestant. He competed in the “Jeopardy!” Power Players Tournament in both 2012 and 2016.

“We look forward to each guest host bringing their unique abilities to the show and to our contestants winning a lot of money that we can match for charity,” Richards said, according to the article.

Each guest host will select a charity to support. “Jeopardy!” plans to add together the winnings of each contestant that appears on the show while each celebrity hosts. The show will then donate that amount to the charity of the celebrity’s choice, the article reported.

These celebrities join a growing list of others who are stepping in to lead the show. Earlier this month, it was announced that Aaron Rodgers, Katie Couric, Mayim Bialik, and Bill Whitaker would also serve as guest hosts.

Rodgers previously said that he was a big fan of “Jeopardy!” and Alex Trebek. He even referred to the late game show host as his “idol.”

“One of my idols growing up was Alex Trebek,” Rodgers recently said on the Pat McAfee Show. “They’re doing some guest hosting spots. … I have the opportunity to do one of those.”

“Jeopardy!” Legend Hosts Show after Passing of Alex Trebek

One of the individuals who has stepped in to stand behind the podium since Alex Trebek passed is “Jeopardy!” champion and legend Ken Jennings. Jennings had a wildly successful run as a contestant on the show, including a 74-game winning streak.

During that run, he won $3,370,700. He also bagged another $1 million when he won the “Jeopardy!” Greatest of All-Time Tournament held during January 2020. He defeated Brad Ruter and James Holzhauer – two other of the show’s most successful contestants – to win the title.

During his tenure as guest host Jennings has used a very endearing sign-off message at the end of “Jeopardy!” episodes. “Thank you, Alex,” he says as a tribute to the host who became his friend.

“Thanks, Alex was suggested as a sign-off by executive producer Mike Richards, and I’m glad he did,” Jennings recently posted on Twitter. “There wouldn’t be a show without Alex.”

However, the ratings for “Jeopardy!” have reportedly been in decline with Jennings as its host. The Wrap recently reported that ratings fell by 5 percent in the Nielsen ratings. The show’s retention rate did remain steady.