More ‘Jeopardy!’ Guest Host Dates Released: Exec Producer Mike Richards and Katie Couric Are Next in Line
Fans of Jeopardy! are still mourning the loss of legendary host Alex Trebek, who died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020. Trebek wanted the iconic game show to continue after he passed away, where producers now have a schedule of guest hosts to man the quiz board. Famous names from sports to entertainment will be taking turns to present television’s most famous trivia game.
‘Jeopardy!’ GOAT Ken Jennings will pass the baton to show’s executive producer
Contestant-turned-consulting-producer Ken Jennings began serving as guest host of Jeopardy! on Jan. 11, 2021. The Greatest of All Time champ pays homage to Trebek on every show, concluding each episode with “Thank you, Alex.”
The sign-off was originally suggested by executive producer Mike Richards, who will take over guest hosting duties when Jennings’ stint ends on Feb. 19. The game show exec also heads Wheel of Fortune behind the scenes, and will have his turn at the quiz board from Feb. 22 through March 5, 2021.
“I was very fortunate to have a front row seat to watch and study Alex,” Richards said, according to Jeopardy.com. “Stepping in as a guest host was incredibly humbling, emotional and a lot of fun. It will forever be the honor of my life.”
‘Today Show’ alum Katie Couric to head ‘Jeopardy!’ in March
Former Today Show star Katie Couric will be the first female to guest host Jeopardy! Taking over from March 8 through March 19, Couric acknowledged the void left by Trebek.
“It is such a thrill to be here guest hosting a show I’ve watched for years,” Couric remarked, “and a real honor to help as we recover after Alex.”
Now a media mogul as the founder of Katie Couric Media (KCM), the previous CBS Evening News anchor produces documentaries and podcasts on current events and social issues.
Doctors and more journalists will take the helm at ‘Jeopardy!’
Couric isn’t the only news person tapped to guest host Jeopardy! Anderson Cooper of CNN, Today Show anchor Savannah Guthrie, and 60 Minutes correspondent Bill Whitaker will also serve at the helm in the upcoming months. Dates for each journalist are to be determined.
Summoning notable names from the medical arena, Dr. Mehmet Oz of the Emmy Award-winning Dr. Oz Show and CNN Chief Medical Correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta are scheduled as future Jeopardy! guest hosts.
Star from ‘The Big Bang Theory’ and NFL MVP are on the ‘Jeopardy!’ roster
Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers became a Jeopardy! champ during the celebrity competition in 2015. The Super Bowl MVP is set to lead the game show for several episodes, though dates are still to be decided.
Mayim Bialik of the hit sitcom The Big Bang Theory is also on the impressive list of Jeopardy! guest hosts. Holding the title of neuroscientist and current executive producer of the Fox series Call Me Kat, on which she also stars, Bialik commented on social media regarding her gratitude for the opportunity.
“I’ll take #DreamComeTrue for $500 please,” Bialik wrote on Instagram in Jan. 2021. “From watching my whole life… to being an answer on the show… to guest hosting… this is literally a dream come true for me. I’ve been such a fan of @Jeopardy and Alex Trebek since I can remember. It will be an honor to guest host this iconic show and celebrate his great legacy.”
