‘Jeopardy!’ Alum Buzzy Cohen Gets Tapped for ‘The Chase’ and Fans Are Loving It
Buzzy Cohen became a household name as a Jeopardy! champ and recent guest host. Game show fans took a liking to his amiable nature, with some even rallying for him to become the host of Jeopardy! full time. While he didn’t land that prestigious gig, Cohen was just recruited to join ABC’s prime time show The Chase.
‘The Chase’ announces some new hires and departures
ABC shared some news on March 15 about The Chase’s new lineup. Viewers who expected to see Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings and former champs James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter, along with Mark “The Beast” Labbett next season got a big surprise with the show’s new roster of “Chasers”.
“New season. New Chasers. Victoria Groce, Brandon Blackwell, and Buzzy Cohen join Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer on May 3 when #TheChase returns,” the caption read on Twitter.
Though no explanations were given for the shakeup, both Labbett and Jennings posted their own comments on exiting the show.
“Gutted to not be invited back but really excited at the new lineup,” Labbett wrote. “Am expecting Brandon and Victoria to wow America :)”
Naturally, Jennings couldn’t resist a jab at Holzhauer in his tweet. “I’m already missing all the lovely folks at @TheChaseABC, and the great trivia minds,” the Jeopardy! star shared, adding, “and James.”
Fans welcome Buzzy Cohen to ‘The Chase’
Cohen tweeted his own reaction to the announcement with a playful, “I’m coming for you!!” comment on Twitter. Viewers who watched Cohen’s rise to fame on Jeopardy! are thrilled to hear of his new gig.
“Congratulations Buzzy. Buzzing for you,” a fan wrote on Twitter.
“This is too awesome. Can’t wait!” another raved.
“I think The Chase heard me say get Buzzy Cohen on there as a chaser a lot! You are the best!” a viewer posted.
“That’s the best news today!!!! Woo Hoo! We love the show and will love it exponentially more now that you’re on it. Congrats,” one follower shared.
Some fans noted Cohen’s infectious personality and a void felt at the Jeopardy! podium.
“The problem I’d have with Buzzy chasing me is that I wouldn’t mind if he caught me,” a fan joked. “Even as a slip of paper, I can’t escape his unfathomable charisma.”
“Nice! Congrats! I’m excited to watch, but admittedly still disappointed you aren’t the Jeopardy! host,” a follower commented.
‘Jeopardy!’ run was empowering for Buzzy Cohen
Cohen’s revealed this his initial nine-game winning streak on Jeopardy! in 2016 brought him more than just prize money. He shared his personal journey in a November 2020 essay on how the game show helped his self-image and gave him a newfound confidence.
“My stint on the show would transform the way I saw myself,” he wrote in the Washington Post. “I won nine games over two tape days — something that, to me, was extraordinary. I had reached an elite tier of contestants on the show I’d grown up watching religiously, one the general public saw as the high bar of quiz shows.”
Fans resonate with Cohen’s authenticity, making him a favored choice on the game show airwaves.
“That moment gave me one of my most useful tools in subsequent moments of doubt,” he remarked. “Now, whenever I want to tell myself I’m worthless, there’s that little voice in my head that reminds me of my time on Jeopardy! It says, ‘Hey, you did this, and it was pretty amazing.’”
