‘Jeopardy!’ rolls out partial host roster with Katie Couric, Mayim Bialik
Tim Balk
“Jeopardy!” on Wednesday rolled out a partial roster of upcoming guest hosts tapped to serve in the stead of longtime host Alex Trebek, who died in November.
The group includes Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, TV journalist Katie Couric, “60 Minutes” reporter Bill Whitaker and actress Mayim Bialik.
Some big names are stepping into the role of host of "Jeopardy!"
Some big names are stepping into the role of host of "Jeopardy!"
Rodgers had previously revealed he would take the reins of an episode, saying that it would air “pretty soon” and that Trebek was an idol of his growing up. The NFL star emerged victorious from a 2015 episode of “Celebrity Jeopardy!”
Trebek died in November at 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and Ken Jennings, a record-holding contestant on the show, hosted the first episode without the beloved quizmaster.
“Alex was a legend, revered by all of us,” Mike Richards, the show’s executive producer, said in a statement. “I want to thank our guest hosts, who will not only help all of us celebrate his great legacy, but also bring their own touch to the show.”
Alex Trebek on the set of "High Rollers". Trebek hosted the NBC show from 1974 to 1980.
"High Rollers" was Trebek's, seen here with contestants from the show, second on-air hosting gig after moving to the U.S. from Canada. He first hosted "The Wizard of Odds" a year prior.
Trebek enjoys some down time at his Los Angeles home on August 3, 1988.
While Trebek began hosting "Jeopardy!" in 1984, he would also host two other game shows during that time, including "To Tell The Truth" in 1991.
Alex Trebek and Jay Leno sit down for a chat on "The Tonight Show" on Nov. 14, 1994.
Accompanied by "Wheel of Fortune" star Vanna White (l.), Alex Trebek raises the gavel on the podium before ringing the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange on Oct. 1, 1999.
Alex Trebek and Cheryl Hines participate in the "Celebrity Poker Showdown" in 2005.
Emmy award-winning game show host Alex Trebek gestures to the 400 fans on hand to watch him receive his newly-dedicated star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on May 17, 1999.
Alex Trebek poses with the award for outstanding game show host for his work on "Jeopardy!" backstage at the 33rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on April 28, 2006.
Alex Trebek hosts Jeopardy with guests (l-r) Sam Waterston of "Law & Order," actress Kathryn Erbe of "Law & Order: Criminal Intent" and actor Christopher Meloni of "Law & Order: SVU" during a taping of "Celebrity Jeopardy!" to celebrate the 5000th episode at Radio City Music Hall on Oct. 5, 2006 in New York. "Celebrity Jeopardy!" showcased 30 stars competing for $1,000,000 dollars for charity.
Alex Trebek visits with some of the Muppet cast of "Sesame Street" at Kaufman Astoria Studios in New York on Nov. 17, 2005.
Harry Friedman, executive producer of Sony Pictures Television (l.) and host Alex Trebek pose during ribbon cutting at Sony Pictures for the 28th season premiere of "Jeopardy!" on Sept. 20, 2011 in Culver City, Calif.
Alex Trebek attends the SNL 40th Anniversary Special at Rockefeller Plaza on Feb. 15, 2106 in New York.
Alex Trebek is seen on the "Jeopardy" set in 2006.
Alex Trebek (L) and Betty White pose onstage during "Hot in Cleveland" LIVE! at the CBS Studio Center on March 26, 2014, in Studio City, Calif.
Game show hosts Alex Trebek (L) and Pat Sajak (R) pose on the set of the "Jeopardy! Million Dollar Celebrity Invitational Tournament Show" taping on April 17, 2010, in Culver City, Calif.
In this May 17, 1999 file photo, Emmy award-winning game show host Alex Trebek celebrates his newly-dedicated star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
Anders Knospe, 14, of Bozeman, Mont., center, poses with Geography Bee moderator Alex Trebek, left, and National Geographic president and chairman Gilbert Grosvenor after winning the sixth annual National Geography Bee, May 25, 1994, in Washington, D.C.
Now in its 37th season, “Jeopardy!” reaches millions of viewers weekly. The show said that Richards will appear as host for two weeks following Jennings’ run, and that additional hosts will be revealed later in the season.
“Jeopardy!” has not named a full-time replacement for Trebek.
