When you think of the game show Jeopardy!, likely Alex Trebek comes to mind. After all, he’s been the sole host of the television program since it first debuted in 1984.
Although it’s hard to imagine another person running “America’s Favorite Quiz Show,” that day will eventually come when Trebek decides to hang up his hat. In March of 2019, the 79-year-old revealed that doctors had diagnosed him with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.
Fans are curious who will be Trebek’s successor on Jeopardy!. Although the host admits he doesn’t really have a say in the matter – he revealed who he’d choose as his replacement if possible. His selection isn’t someone everyone might expect!
There are many game shows who’ve had different hosts over the years. Bob Barker passed the torch to Drew Carey on The Price Is Right, while Family Feud has changed hosts multiple times.
According to Jeopardy’s website, Alex Trebek is not only the original host – but he’s been part of almost 8,000 episodes throughout the years. He currently holds the Guinness World Records title for the “most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.”
Nobody wants the day to come when Trebek says goodbye to viewers on the program. However, when it does arrive – he already has an idea of how it will go.
In an interview with ABC News, the Jeopardy! host shared that he will ask for 30 seconds to speak at the closing of the show.
“I will say my goodbyes. I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s gonna replace me because I have no say in that whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love, and attention, and respect that you’ve shown me … that they will be a success and the show will continue being a success.”
With Trebek hosting Jeopardy! for more than three decades, people have wondered why he wouldn’t be part of selecting the next host.
During the Television Critics Association winter press tour, TVLine was able to get an additional explanation from Trebek himself. He said:
“It’s not a decision that would be up to me. And I would not make myself available to presenting an opinion. I would leave it up to the people in charge.”
The game show’s executive producer, Harry Friedman, told TVLine:
“[Alex] really has no interest in being involved in that process. We would welcome his opinion, obviously, but he feels like it’s really not up to him. And he has said that for a long time.”
But if he had to pick a successor, who would it be? Would it be someone who’s hosted game shows in the past, or perhaps someone known for their brilliance?
Trebek revealed to TVLine:
“When people ask me who I’d like to see replace me, I say, ‘Well, it’s probably going to be a woman, and she’ll have to be bright, she’ll have to have a good sense of humor…’ Uhhhh, let’s see…. Betty White! Betty White is my choice.”
98-year-old Betty White is funny, lovable, and has been in show business for over eighty years. Can you imagine the laughs that would take place on the set of Jeopardy! with her as the host?
It’s still not known when exactly Trebek will retire from the show or who will be his replacement. However, there’s no doubt they’ll have some big shoes to fill!
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