Of course, no one can really replace Canadian Alex Trebek as host of “Jeopardy!” but the show’s producers have tapped its most famous contestant, Ken Jennings, to try on an interim basis.
The iconic “Jeopardy!” player and record-holder, Jennings, has been named the show’s interim host and is set to replace Alex Trebek when the show resumes production next Monday.
According to the popular game show’s producers, Jennings will be the first in a series of interim hosts that will get a chance to fill the position left vacant by the passing of Trebek.
Producers revealed the news on Monday, saying that Jennings, who won 74 games in a row and claimed the show’s “Greatest of All Time” title in a competition last year, will host episodes that are slated to air in January.
There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January. https://t.co/2m2b5IQnkw
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) November 23, 2020
“There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I’m honoured to be helping “Jeopardy!” out with this in January,” Jennings tweeted out on Monday.
”Jeopardy!” plans on running a few repeat episodes during the holidays and says Trebek’s final week of shows will air starting January 4 in order to give more fans the chance to see them.
Jennings’ first episodes will begin airing the week of January 11.
“Alex believed in the importance of ‘Jeopardy!’ and always said that he wanted the show to go on after him,” said “Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards.
“We will honour Alex’s legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved with smart contestants and challenging clues. By bringing in familiar guest hosts for the foreseeable future, our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers.”
“Jeopardy!” hasn’t revealed any of the other names that will slot in as interim hosts.
A long-term host for Trebek, who died of cancer on November 8 at the age of 80, is also expected to be named at a later date.
Graham Cox
