It is never easy to take the
place of something or someone that has been a permanent fixture in people’s
lives…or TV-viewing habits at least. The November 2020 death of Alex Trebek,
longtime host of syndicated game show “Jeopardy!” left quite a significant void
in the program for which he had been the face of for over three decades. As a
stopgap, the production began inviting notable personalities, from other TV
show hosts, to actors, athletes, and even a “Jeopardy!” champion to appear as
temporary hosts while a permanent replacement is decided. And that decision
might be happening quite soon.
Deadline tells us that Jeopardy Productions might just be about
ready to declare who they want to replace the late great Alex Trebek as host of
the iconic knowledge game show “Jeopardy!” As to be expected, the candidates
were definitely from the roster of guest hosts that have been stewarding for
the show since late last year. While some of those personalities either has
their own programs or are active elsewhere (like Dr. Oz or Aaron Rodgers of the
NFL), there are some celebrity hosts who could be roped into doing the thing
for longer.
Sadly for fans of favorite “Jeopardy!”
guest host, actor LeVar Burton (“Star Trek TNG”), he does not seem to be the
one production has in mind. In fact, Jeopardy Productions might be eyeing one
of their own. Also having served as guest host was the show’s own executive
producer, Michael Richards. And now the studio and Sony Picture Television are apparently
in advance negotiations with Richards to move from behind the camera to in
front. Richards became executive producer for “Jeopardy!” only last year, with
past work in other TV game shows like “The Price is Right” and “Who Wants to be
a Millionaire,” but he also has hosting experience.
Right now however, SPE seems to
be quite taken with Mike Richards. In his short stint as guest host for “Jeopardy!”
he apparently showed both command of the game and its contestants plus an
on-air manner that put them at ease, all qualities Sony PE believes are just
right for a proper successor to Alex Trebek. At present there are only
negotiations, so the decision could still change. But the show has never been
closer to receiving a new long-term shepherd since Trebek. Maybe Richards is
the best possible choice.
Image courtesy of The Comeback
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