Ken Jennings will be Jeopardy's next host
Iconic Jeopardy! host Alex Trebec sadly passed away earlier this month after a battle with stage IV pancreatic cancer. The show will air “10 of his best episodes” the weeks of December 21 and 28, followed by the final episodes he taped the week of January 4. After that, they’ll debut a new host: record-setting Jeopardy winner Ken Jennings. He’ll be the first of a series of “interim guest hosts,” and production will begin on the new episodes he features in on November 30.
“Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy! and always said that we wanted to show to go on after him,” executive producer Mike Richards says. “We will honor his legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved.”
“There will only ever be one Alex Trebek,” Ken tweeted, “but I’m honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January.”
Meanwhile, a Change.org petition started earlier this month is calling for Reading Rainbow host and Star Trek: The Next Generation actor LeVar Burton to take over Jeopardy!‘s hosting gig.
Musicians including Gene Simmons, John Legend, Questlove, Chance The Rapper, Silversun Pickups, Vernon Reid, Marissa Nadler, Devon Welsh, Geoff Rickly, Vinnie Caruana, Chris Farren and more paid tribute to Trebek following his passing.
As we remember and celebrate the life of Alex Trebek, we will air 10 of his best episodes the weeks of 12/21 and 12/28, and air his final week of episodes starting 1/4. https://t.co/HQaNewWa9U pic.twitter.com/aYPUOEuEwF
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 23, 2020
We will resume production on 11/30 with a series of interim guest hosts from the Jeopardy! family – starting with Ken Jennings. Additional guest hosts to be announced. pic.twitter.com/0MdGqnzp3R
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 23, 2020
There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I'm honored to be helping Jeopardy! out with this in January. https://t.co/2m2b5IQnkw
— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) November 23, 2020