‘Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek:

In the category of TV Hosts, if the answer is, ‘Harder to replace than a Christmas light on a string,’ then the correct question would be, ‘Jeopardy’s Alex Trebek?’

Alex Trebek died of cancer:

In the two years since Alex Trebek tragically passed away from Stage 4 pancreatic cancer, producers of the long-running game show have had trouble filling his sensible black dress shoes.

Trebek’s permanent replacement:

But now, producers say they’re ready to announce not only Trebek’s permanent replacement “very soon” but several additional hosts for other Jeopardy iterations.

Emmy Awards:

The entertainment blog Decider spoke to Jeopardy executive producer Michael Davies backstage at the Daytime Emmys, telling them, “We hope to have a hosting announcement very soon.”

Jeopardy executive producer said:

“But with all of our plans for Jeopardy! which is more Jeopardy! not less, more versions, we’re going to need multiple hosts to represent the entire audience, to represent the entire country, in order to take this franchise forward.”

sports broadcast legend Joe Buck, current Pennsylvania Senatorial candidate, and possible future Pennsylvania resident Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Lengthy on-air audition process:

The search to replace Trebek involved a lengthy on-air audition process, including guest turns from CNN anchor Anderson Cooper,

Perfect candidate:

After careful consideration, then-Jeopardy executive producer Mike Richards landed on the perfect candidate: Jeopardy executive producer Mike Richards.

Richards’ unfortunate comments:

While Mike Richards’ favorite Mike Richards worked well for his target audience, Mike Richards, unfortunate comments he made about Jews and women surfaced, and he was fired.

Present rotating guest:

The current rotating guest hosts have been actress/director/podcaster Mayim Bialik and former Jeopardy champ Ken Jennings.

Potential disappointment:

 But this format has faced criticism from Jeopardy fans, who are guaranteed to be unhappy no matter who is chosen.

Jeopardy!

Jeopardy was first created by talk show host Merv Griffin in 1964 and was hosted by Art Fleming until 1979.

Alex Trebek was the host since its re-launches:

Alex Trebek served as host from the show’s re-launch in syndication in 1984 until his untimely passing in 2022.