“Jeopardy!” revealed a new lineup of guest hosts to fill the void left by longtime host Alex Trebek, who died in November.
In addition to the Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who announced his plans to host on Tuesday, actress Mayim Bialik, journalist Katie Couric and “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker also have been tapped, the syndicated quiz show announced Wednesday, without disclosing the length of their stints.
Couric, whose role was first reported by the Los Angeles Times, will be the first female to host the series. Other guest hosts will be named at a later date.
The show will make a financial contribution to the designated charity of each host’s choosing, according to the announcement. ”The amount donated will equal the cumulative winnings of the contestants that compete during the weeks they serve as guest host.”
Ken Jennings, who clenched the title of “Jeopardy!” GOAT last January, has taped 30 episodes, and is serving the first, six-week role as guest host, which started Monday.
But it’s a gig he carries out with a heavy heart.
”I don’t want to have it because it means we don’t get Alex,” Jennings said in a recent interview with USA TODAY. “It’s just sad for me to go out there, in a way, because I know that, like the audience, I wish it was Alex walking out at the top of the show.”
Trebek’s final episode aired Friday, but was taped on Oct. 29, just 10 days before his death Nov. 8 at 80, of pancreatic cancer.
Read more at usatoday.com
