Longtime host Alex Trebek died Sunday following a battle with pancreatic cancer; others are actively pursuing the vacant position
After Alex Trebek died on Sunday at age 80, reps for George Stephanopoulos are already pushing for the ABC News anchor to become the next host of the hit game show “Jeopardy!”, A fine person told TheWrap made aware of the situation.
Stephanopoulos’ agent did not respond to TheWrap’s request for comment, but a knowledgeable person close to the “Good Morning America” co-host denied he was “actively” pursuing the role. However, the highly placed person told TheWrap that Stephanopoulos has his eye on the lucrative position and that his team is lobbying ABC, where he was chief anchor and political correspondent for ABC News.
ABC-owned TV stations have owned the syndication rights to the game show for decades, but there are other stakeholders who will have a say in choosing Trebek’s replacement: distributor CBS Television and producer Sony. Television. An ABC News spokesperson declined to comment. Neither Sony nor CBS Television responded to requests for comment.
Also read: “Jeopardy!”: How were the ratings in Alex Trebek’s final season?
ABC NEWS – Dan Harris, co-host of NIGHTLINE and GOOD MORNING AMERICA: WEEKEND EDITION of ABC News. (ABC / Ida Mae Astute)
Other members of the ABC News division, including Dan Harris, the presenter of the “GMA” weekend, also pose as the next “Jeopardy!” host, according to the insider. A spokesperson for Harris did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
Even before Trebek’s death, it had been suggested that former champion Ken Jennings might be a candidate to take over as the show’s host. This season, Jennings was appointed Consulting Producer, a job that includes a presentation on camera. Many in the industry saw the hiring as a signal that Jennings, a legend among the show’s fans and popular Twitter personality, was prepared to replace Trebek upon retirement or death.
“The show does not announce any plans for a new host at this time,” “Jeopardy!” said Sunday in a media announcement.
Trebek, who has hosted the show since its relaunch in 1984, had recorded enough batch episodes for his final appearance to air on Christmas Day 2020. He recorded his last episode in the studio on October 29, according to the program.
Also read: Alex Trebek planned his “jeopardy!” Exit speech: “ Give me 30 seconds at the end ” (video)
ABC’s syndication agreement for the program was renewed at the end of 2018.
Stephanopoulos will be 60 in February. Prior to his days as a television reporter, he was a Democratic political agent and White House communications director for President Bill Clinton.
Although Stephanopoulos carries a noble title and a lot of respect at ABC News, David Muir, presenter of “World News Tonight,” is positioning himself as the future of the Disney-owned media brand’s news operation, said the initiate. In recent years, ABC News has made strides in television ratings with Muir, 47, as the host of his nightly news show.
In addition to co-anchoring “Good Morning America” alongside Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan, Stephanopoulos also hosts the Sunday morning political recap “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.
Also read: Alex Trebek, “Longtime Jeopardy!” Host, dies at age 80
If he were to land the gig, there would be some logistics involved from the “GMA” bands in New York while the “Jeopardy!” The studio is located in Culver City, California.
“Peril!” is currently the third highest rated syndicated series on television, behind only “Judge Judy” and “Family Feud”. This positioning makes it the second highest rated syndicated game show of the 2020-2021 TV season. With the permanent “Judge Judy” odds champion ending at the end of this season, this vacancy will open the door to game shows to rule syndication.
