Alex Trebek Reveals the 2 Essential Qualities the Next ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Must Have: Who Best Fits the Bill?
Alex Trebek has been the host of Jeopardy! for the last 36 years; he and the gameshow are intimately connected. Despite the fact that he is not the show’s original host, he has become an emblem of the competition — arguably moreso than his predecessor, Art Fleming.
Trebek brings a sophisticated and educated disposition to the trivia-themed show, without ever seeming pompous or superior. He is warmhearted and genuinely interested in the contestants who come on the show. And, he is prepped with a stockpile of puns and dad jokes. He’s humorous and clever. He’s witty and compassionate.
Trebek is going to be one of, if not the most difficult game show host to replace (if and when the day comes). Some argue that Jeopardy! will end when Trebek is no longer behind the podium, allowing the show’s legacy and the legend to stay forever interwoven. Yet, Alex Trebek has shared thoughts concerning the next host, and he or she (though most likely she) must have two essential qualities.
Trebek on ‘Jeopardy!’s’ next host
First off, Alex Trebek has explained that his replacement will likely be a woman, yet, as for the woman destined to fill his shoes, the host deems two qualities paramount: a sense of humor and intelligence. Trebek explained, as noted in Oprah Magazine:
It’s probably going to be a woman and she’ll have to be bright. She’ll have to have a good sense of humor…
Oprah Magazine
Trebek goes on to joke that Betty White would be the ideal replacement, and though fans would love to see White take the reigns, she (not to be grim) does not necessarily boast the likelihood for longevity that the show would require.
So, who could follow in Trebek’s footsteps? So many women fit this description that narrowing down the list would be impossible, yet certain people have experience hosting and/or leading shows who may be perfect.
Who will be the ‘bright’ woman with a ‘sense of humor’ to replace Alex Trebek as the host of ‘Jeopardy!?’
While any rumors concerning Trebek’s replacement remain just that — rumors — The Sun has suggested two possible contenders who would be a perfect fit: Ann Curry and Gayle King. The Sun reports that the two are at the top of the list.
Curry is a famous American journalist and photojournalist, who has been a reporter for over 30 years. She has focused her career on human suffering in war zones. Curry is comfortable in front of a camera, she is whip-smart, and she could convincingly carry the responsibilities.
As for Gayle King, she is an established television personality, author, and broadcast journalist for CBS News. Need we say more? King attended The University of Mayland, where she graduated with degrees in sociology and psychology. Will King or Curry take the reigns? Or, will a former contestant come in to take on the duty? Whoever is chosen, in the end, will have huge shoes to fill.
