Alex Trebek’s ‘Jeopardy!’ Replacement May Have Finally Been Revealed

New reports are coming in alleging that the replacement for Alex Trebek on the game show “Jeopardy!” is in advanced negotiations with show runners.

Trebek’s Potential Replacement

Entertainment Tonight reported that Mike Richards, the executive producer of “Jeopardy!,” is said to be in final talks to take over as host of the show.

A source close to the situation said that while Richards is the current frontrunner for the position, others are still being considered as well.

Related: Ken Jennings Admits Hosting “Jeopardy!” Is Hard After Getting Trolled By Contestant

Unfortunately for Richards, however, many fans were not happy to hear this news that he may become the permanent host. 

https://twitter.com/SeanFennessey/status/1423062792009969664?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1423062792009969664%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etonline.com%2Fjeopardy-executive-producer-mike-richards-is-reportedly-in-negotiations-to-be-official-host-fans

https://twitter.com/clockoutwars/status/1423064490199891973?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1423064490199891973%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.etonline.com%2Fjeopardy-executive-producer-mike-richards-is-reportedly-in-negotiations-to-be-official-host-fans

Trebek passed away in November 2020 at the age of 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer. Since then, Richards and other guest hosts have taken over hosting “Jeopardy!” until a permanent replacement for Trebek could be named. 

Related: Fans Campaign Hard With Petition For LeVar Burton To Be Permanent ‘Jeopardy!’ Host

Richards Speaks Out

Just after Trebek passed away, Richards said that the late host had not mentioned any names when it came to who would replace him. 

“Typical Alex,” Richards recalled. “He was self-deprecating [and] said, ‘It’s not that hard.’ Let me tell you that it is maybe the hardest show on TV to host; 61 clues in 22 minutes, accents, pronunciations, scoring, calling on people, ruling on the answers.”

“He talked a lot about how it needs to be someone that the audience will respect, that’s believable in the role [and] has credibility,” he added. “He was so smart that you bought it, because you knew he knew the answer, too.”

The legendary “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings, who was the first guest host of the show earlier this year, has claimed that he and Trebek talked about him potentially replacing him. 

“I spoke to him shortly before he passed actually and he was very confident that I could do it,” he said. “He just kind of took it for granted and I was like, ‘Alex, that is very sweet but you know you are the best at that job,’ but I appreciated his trust.”

Related: ‘Jeopardy’ Has Banned Certain Wagers Because They Are Deemed Racist, Satanic, And Sexual

Richards Reveals What Producers Are Looking For In Host

Richards has previously been open about what producers are looking for in a “Jeopardy!” host.

“We aren’t looking for a three-year host, we’re looking for a 10-year or a 20-year host,” Richards said in an interview in May. “Stability is one of the show’s strengths, so we need to consider who’s got a 20-year horizon and who can focus on the show and make it great over that time.”

While nobody can ever replace Trebek, it will certainly be nice to fans to find out who the new host of “Jeopardy!” will be.