‘Jeopardy’ primetime episodes featuring Ken Jennings and James Holzhauer among 2020’s top-ranked programs
January’s “Jeopardy!” primetime run hit the Nielsen ratings Daily Double.
The four-episode “Greatest of All Time” competition, which aired Jan. 7-14 and featured the three most successful contestants in program history — Ken Jennings, James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter — was a boffo 2020 spectator spectacle, reported Variety.
The four episodes all landed in the top 40 most-watched shows of 2020, with the third installment, in which Jennings took a 2-1 lead over Holzhauer, cracking the top 20.
That Jan. 9 episode drew an astounding 17.4 million spectators, besting the highest-rated episode of top-ranked series “NCIS,” according to Nielsen data.
While Jennings pocketed $1 million for his tournament win, “Jeopardy!” broadcaster ABC also came out on top as the competition helped boost its standard programming as a lead-in for “Mixed-ish,” “Black-ish” and “Modern Family,” reported Variety at the time.
Since host Alex Trebek’s Nov. 8 death from pancreatic cancer, “Jeopardy!” ratings have risen sharply.
Nov. 9′s week of episodes drew more than 10 million viewers per night, on average, noted The Hollywood Reporter — a whopping 24% audience uptick.
Jennings will serve as the first of several “Jeopardy!” guest hosts beginning Jan. 11, 2021, until a permanent emcee is announced.
Among those believed to be in contention for the permanent gig are Jennings, Anderson Cooper, actor LeVar Burton and CNN legal analyst Laura Coates.
Alex Trebek's wife puts on a happy face in first Christmas without 'Jeopardy' host
Jennings, 46, has won more than $4.5 million for his numerous “Jeopardy!” appearances. According to online wagering site sportsbettingdime.com, he is an even-money bet to hook the permanent gig.
Among the underdogs on the site are ABC political commentator George Stephanopoulos (13/4), astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson (14/1), “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak (16/1), Ryan Seacrest (18/1) and Fox Sports reporter Erin Andrews (50/1).
Intriguing dark horses are Academy Award-nominated actress Rosie Perez (66/1), whose “White Men Can’t Jump” character appears on “Jeopardy!” and President Trump at 1000/1.
