Who will replace “Jeopardy!” Host Alex Trebeek?

If the “TV dream job holder” is a “final risk”! The answer, the question would be: “Who will succeed Alex Trebek as host?”

Hordes of fans at the popular gaming show will soon be getting a clearer picture of who will be in the coming months. Sony Pictures Television, which is producing “Jeopardy!” , In an official search for a Trebek replacement, according to several people familiar with the plans but not authorized to discuss it publicly.

A Sony representative declined to comment on the status of the search. Barry Nugent, a consultant and former head of talent development at Game Show Network, leads the process to fill the highly coveted position, whose results will be scrutinized by the loyal audience of the show and the television industry.

Not only does Sony hire a host, it is also the face of a beloved pop culture.

“Host” of danger! Ted Harbert, longtime TV executive director of ABC and NBC, said, “He is one of the leading cast of broadcast television. “The next host will preserve the legacy of a national institution.”

The show, created by Merv Griffin, dates back to 1964 when it first appeared on NBC.

While audience levels for broadcast and cable television networks have steadily diminished in the era of live broadcasting, “risk!” It has maintained its popularity, drawing about 8 million viewers per day on stations that transport it across the country, according to Nielsen data – more than most prime-time programs on the network. Younger Viewers Find Past Episodes On Netflix.

Viewers will start seeing guest hosts after Trebek final episodes Registered in October air this week. Trebek, the sole host of “Jeopardy!” Since he was revived for co-TV in 1984, he has passed away on November 8 after battling pancreatic cancer.

The whole time “danger!” Champion Ken Jennings will be the first guest guest starting January 11th. Long-running television news personality Katie Couric also signed on to be a surrogate host for a weekThis makes it a candidate as a permanent alternative.

Couric declined to comment on the booking and whether she would be interested in a permanent role.

Other names that appeared in early discussions about the job include Steve Kornaki, the MSNBC political reporter who developed a rabid sect tracking his scientist-like analysis of the number of votes on election nights. Actress Mim Bialik. And Mike Richards, Executive Producer of “Jeopardy!” Who also has experience as a game show host.

Richards delivered a message on air to “Jeopardy!” Viewers after Trebek’s death He appeared in TV interviews about the legacy of the host But it is not a household name.

The search took the talent agency activity a bit as many of the actors believed Jennings was being groomed to be Trebek’s successor. Jennings has a blanket deal with Sony and is likely still in operation, although some insensitive comments he made on social media about people with disabilities sparked criticism and led him to make a public apology.

“Danger!” Executive Producer Mike Richards, who was spotted attending the 41st Emmy Awards Gala at CBS in 2014, is said to be in the running for the next show’s host.

(Angela Weiss / Getty Images)

Jennings was also attracted to drama on social media John Roderick, a musician now known as #BeanDad. Roderick, who co-hosted a podcast with Jennings, has become an online pariah after he posted a thread on Twitter Saturday about his refusal to help his hungry little daughter open a can of cooked beans, forcing her to learn to use a manual can opener if she wanted to. Eat. The 9-year-old struggled with the mission for six hours.

Roderick issued a prolific apology but not before discovering other inappropriate tweets on his now deleted account. Jennings defended his friend. Sony has not commented on any social media issues related to Jennings.

Jennings is part of the Geopardi family, but he doesn’t quite fit the search criteria, according to people briefed. Sony is said to be looking for “A-list” names – popular TV or movie stars – who would be consistent with “Jeopardy!” Brand, and it’s basically a TV contest show for smart people.

There is no shortage of interested applicants.

“It’s a dream job for a lot of people because it’s a lot of money and not a lot of days of work,” said one TV executive who participated in the program in the past on condition of anonymity.

The primary message of agencies is that whoever takes on this role must make it their primary function. That could filter some other names that have sprung up over the years like CNN broadcaster Anderson Cooper, who made no secret of his desire for the job and was long listed on Trebek’s list of potential successors.

George Stephanopoulos, president of ABC News, also considered hosting if the job became available as CNN’s John Berman, a celebrity “Jeopardy!” Champ in 2015, former “Today” co-host Meredith Vieira.

Television news personalities may have the best set of skills for the program, which is executed in nearly real time, as they often work without script and have to be able to think on their feet.

That theory will be put to the test when Couric – who has provided thousands of hours of live TV broadcasts and interacted with the audience every day when greeting fans of “The Day” every morning in Rockefeller Plaza outside the show’s studio at street level – gets her chance later this year.

Expect fans to praise.

Claire McNair, author of Answers in Questions: An End History and An Insider’s Guide to Danger! “If you ask 10 fans who they want to be the next host, you will get 15 different answers.” “But there are some lines. He has to be someone who provides intelligence, whether it is because he is a famous ex-hero or because he brings the appeal of broadcasters like Katie Couric or any another thing “.

McNair added, “You want someone who can make the show fun but at the same time,” Jeopardy! “It’s a deliberate offering that doesn’t leave much room for editing: if you have to reach 61 clues in half an hour, there’s not much room for the host to start decoding jokes.”