‘Jeopardy!’: When Will New Episodes Air?
Filming resumed on Jeopardy! in late July 2020 and fans of the classic answer-and-question show want to know when host Alex Trebek will return with all-new episodes.
Here’s what we know.
The show’s last new episodes were the Teachers Tournament
Filmed in February 2020, before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic stopped filming in its tracks across the board in all studios, the Jeopardy! 2020 Teachers Tournament was shown in late May/early June.
The two-week tournament featured teachers from schools throughout the nation playing to win the $100,000 prize, as well as the opportunity to compete in the Tournament of Champions.
Alex Trebek, in a show clip, expressed the program’s motivation in airing the tournament. “That’s why we have the Teachers Tournament — to honor the men and women who spend so much quality time with us and with our children.”
Once the Teachers Tournament ended, the quiz show had already suspended filming.
‘Jeopardy!’ has been airing older tournaments and episodes
After the Teachers Tournament, the show began airing fan-favorite tournaments of old from its almost 40-year run, including the Greatest of All Time Tournament (GOAT) featuring the greatest himself, Ken Jennings, as well as fellow show luminaries Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer.
It even aired the very first Jeopardy! when the show began in syndication with a mustached Alex Trebek at the helm.
Most recently, the 2002 Million Dollar Masters Tournament was aired, crowning Brad Rutter as the grand prize winner.
“What is incredible about Jeopardy! is that it has historical importance while remaining culturally relevant today,” show executive producer Mike Richards told Deadline in July 2020. “I know our fans will love the nostalgia while still enjoying the game play. A lot has changed over the years – the set, the pace of the game…the mustache! – but the ability to play along is timeless.”
When will new episodes of ‘Jeopardy!’ air?
Dates for when new games will air have not yet been announced by the production team at Jeopardy!
Most likely, the new episodes, since they’re taped for forthcoming seasons, will air for the new September season.
How differently the studio set-up looks will be interesting. The quiz show’s stage was moderately reworked to observe social distancing safely – and realistically – between contestant podiums.
Spacing away from host Alex Trebek, who is under treatment for stage IV pancreatic cancer, is also at the forefront of producers’ minds.
A Sony Pictures Television spokesperson, speaking of the return of both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, said in a July 2020 statement, “Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! are returning to the studio to tape episodes for the shows’ upcoming seasons.”
“The productions have protocols in place in accordance with current government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19. While some things may have changed behind the scenes and on the set to keep everyone safe, fans can expect to see the same Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! they have come to love when the season starts.”
