Alex Trebek has hosted Jeopardy for 36 years, and not even Stage IV pancreatic cancer can stop the 79-year-old from fronting the beloved game show. As he's been battling the disease, he's still been reading questions at the podium and plans to continue as long as he is feeling up to it. However, at some point Trebek will want to retire and when he does, who will take his place?
Some insiders have an idea, and it is very surprising. They suggest it might be Wheel Of Fortune host Pat Sajak. It's actually not too crazy a prospect - Pat's contract at Wheel ends in 2022, which is exactly when Alex's contract with Jeopardy is up. In fact, it wouldn't be the first time Pat hosted - in 1997, as an April Fool's prank, Pat and Alex did switch places on each other's shows.
Pat's not the only name being tossed around to front Jeopardy - Good Morning America host George Stephanopoulos has thrown his hat in the ring. According to Radar, an insider said, "For George, it’s really a dream job. The show is fun but brainy, and so beloved by its viewers. He thinks he could transition to it without a hitch. While he’s loved his time on GMA, those mornings getting up before daylight have really worn on him. So if the caveat to hosting Jeopardy! means leaving GMA, he would agree to that."
Former contestant Ken Jennings might also take the reins. After winning over audiences with his record 74-game streak, insiders think Ken's "funny-but-dry wit" might be fun for Jeopardy viewers.
Meanwhile, Alex has some ideas on who should step in for him. He previously joked, "It's probably going to be a woman, somebody younger, somebody bright, somebody personable, somebody with a great sense of humor, so I nominated Betty White." He later suggested CNN's Laura Coates, TCM's Ben Mankiewicz and L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust.
For now, we get to enjoy more of Alex, at least we do once Jeopardy resumes production following the break they've taken during the coronavirus pandemic.
Photo: Getty Images