Jeopardy champion Ken Jennings to be first host after Alex Trebek’s death

Jeopardy’s next host is here: Ken Jennings, one of the biggest contenders in the show’s history. He will be the first in a series of guest guests after the death of beloved host Alex Trebek earlier this month.

“Alex believed in the importance of Jeopardy! And always said he wanted the show to continue after him,” Mike Richards, Jeopardy executive producer told Variety.

“We will honor Alex’s legacy by continuing to produce the game he loved with smart competitors and stimulating cues. By bringing in familiar hosts for the foreseeable future, our goal is to create a sense of community and continuity for our viewers. “

Trebek, who hosted the trivia game for 37 seasons starting in 1984, died on November 8 at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He shared the diagnosis with the fans in March of last year. Jeopardy honored its long heritage in a tribute video.

The favorite for the podium, Jennings is the popular contender-turned-producer consultant, crowned champion of the Jeopardy Greatest of All Time tournament earlier this year. He entered the scene in 2004 with a 74-game winning streak and has since become the highest-paid American game show contender of all time.

Sony says more hosts will be announced in the coming weeks. The final episodes filmed by Trebek will air in early January 2021, and episodes hosted by Jennings and other interim hosts will air from January 11.

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