# Who should be the next host of "Jeopardy!"?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Tags:** reality-or-game-show\
**Created:** [November 12, 2020, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460 "2020-11-12T20:49:50Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 20\
**Page:** 25

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 7:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/484 "2021-05-29T07:52:29Z")

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My revised rankings:

1. Anderson Cooper
2. Buzzy Cohen
3. Mike Richards
4. Ken Jennings
5. Aaron Rodgers
6. Katie Couric
7. Bill Whitaker
8. Dr. Oz

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**Author:** ![TreacherousCretin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/treacherouscretin/32/476_2.png) [@TreacherousCretin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TreacherousCretin)\
**Post date:** [May 29, 2021, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/485 "2021-05-29T18:37:56Z")

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Revised as of today, after 10 games with Buzzy:

1- Ken Jennings OR Buzzy Cohen  
2- Aaron Rodgers  
3- Anderson Cooper  
the others are a five-way tie for Last Place.

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**Author:** ![Bayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bayaker/32/3454_2.png) [@Bayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bayaker)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/486 "2021-05-30T12:08:25Z")

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I’m definitely on the Buzzy bandwagon now. My ranking would be:

1. Cohen
2. Jennings
3. Cooper
4. Rodgers
5. Richards
6. Oz
7. Couric
8. Whitaker

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**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 3:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/487 "2021-05-30T15:12:24Z")

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Whew! Finally reached the end of the thread, and I can make my comment about the Travers response without fear of being ninja’d.

It occurred to me that _Jeopardy!_ airs on ABC, a property of Disney. They might not have been enthusiastic about focusing on the fact that one of Disney’s most beloved films was hated by the author of the source material.

Of course, this hypothesis leaves one scratching one’s head as to why they would let the clue happen in the first place, but it could be why they chose to not elaborate.

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**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 3:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/488 "2021-05-30T15:23:46Z")

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The show is syndicated but does air on ABC stations in most of the major markets. It’s produced by Sony Pictures Entertainment. (You’ll notice entire categories that are shameless plugs for movies or TV shows.)

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**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\
**Post date:** [May 30, 2021, 3:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/489 "2021-05-30T15:35:48Z")

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> [@kaylasdad99](#):
>
> They might not have been enthusiastic about focusing on the fact that one of Disney’s most beloved films was hated by the author of the source material.

_Saving Mr Banks_ was produced by Disney, so I don’t think they care.

Of course, the movie is notorious for “Disney-fying” Walt Disney.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2021, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/490 "2021-06-01T05:12:47Z")

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I’m a little disappointed in Mayim; her voice is very wooden, even more than Amy Farrah Fowler. But I’m hoping she’ll learn to relax over the next two weeks.

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**Author:** ![Spoons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spoons/32/3141_2.png) [@Spoons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spoons)\
**Post date:** [June 1, 2021, 5:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/491 "2021-06-01T05:45:06Z")

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I also found her wooden, but her enthusiasm at times gave me hope. “You got it! And it’s your turn to select,” kind of thing. I think we’ll see her develop into the host’s role over the next two weeks, though I doubt she will be shortlisted for the permanent host’s role.

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**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/492 "2021-06-03T12:30:48Z")

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I think she went too far the other way on Wednesday night - she seemed to have a laugh if the clue was even the tiniest bit amusing, or even just referred to something amusing - chicken fingers, Austin Powers, the Ikea clue, etc.

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**Author:** ![Cardigan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardigan/32/187_2.png) [@Cardigan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardigan)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/493 "2021-06-03T12:41:24Z")

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Donald Trump, I understand, is currently unemployed. Plus, he has some experience working in television. Perhaps he’d make a good host? Can you picture it?

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**Author:** ![MrAtoz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MrAtoz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrAtoz)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/494 "2021-06-03T13:32:32Z")

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Bialik has a certain snarkiness that reminds me of Alex. Like how she said “No musicians?” when none of the players got “glissando,” or told the English professor she was disappointed when he missed a Shakespeare clue.

I’ve never found her delivery to be wooden, and am a little surprised to read that descriptor.

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**Author:** ![Arcite](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/67e7ee/32.png) [@Arcite](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arcite)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/495 "2021-06-03T13:40:23Z")

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> [@MrAtoz](#):
>
> I’ve never found her delivery to be wooden, and am a little surprised to read that descriptor.

It sounds to me like she’s trying a little _too_ hard to enunciate clearly as she reads each clue, and this creates the impression in my ears that she’s reading them too slowly. However, they are getting through the entire board for the most part, so maybe it’s just me.

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**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/496 "2021-06-03T13:59:54Z")

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I[quote=“muldoonthief, post:492, topic:925460, full:true”]  
I think she went too far the other way on Wednesday night - she seemed to have a laugh if the clue was even the tiniest bit amusing, or even just referred to something amusing - chicken fingers, Austin Powers, the Ikea clue, etc.  
[/quote]

That was truly annoying, and I hope she stifles that impulse from here on.

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**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/497 "2021-06-03T14:54:41Z")

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I’m just wary of someone with dangerous opinions on a topic as important as vaccinations being host of Jeopardy. I get that she’s not completely anti-vax, but she’s still dangerous enough. It’s the same thing with Dr. Oz. Even if he had been awesome, I’d rather him not get the job.

I had no idea what position Alex held on abortion, vaccinations, gun control, immigration, or anything else even somewhat controversial, and I was okay with that.

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**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/498 "2021-06-03T14:59:44Z")

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She’s literally [starring in her own TV series](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt10985096/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_2), which has been renewed for another season, so I think she’s the least likely (besides possibly Anderson Cooper & Aaron Rodgers) to be in the running for the permanent job.

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**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/499 "2021-06-03T15:00:43Z")

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> [@muldoonthief](#):
>
> I think she went too far the other way on Wednesday night - she seemed to have a laugh if the clue was even the tiniest bit amusing, or even just referred to something amusing - chicken fingers, Austin Powers, the Ikea clue, etc.

I think she was laughing at the “I’d like to buy” category, in which (as it turned out) every response rhymed with “vowel”.

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**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/500 "2021-06-03T15:21:29Z")

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She definitely laughed there, but it continued into other clues that round and the DJ round as well.

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**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/501 "2021-06-03T16:11:29Z")

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> [@MrAtoz](#):
>
> or told the English professor she was disappointed when he missed a Shakespeare clue.

I love it when a host ties in things from a contestant’s personal life. Especially a missed clue.

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**Author:** ![jsc1953](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/5daacb/32.png) [@jsc1953](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jsc1953)\
**Post date:** [June 3, 2021, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/502 "2021-06-03T21:47:09Z")

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> [@Robot\_Arm](#):
>
> I think she was laughing at the “I’d like to buy” category, in which (as it turned out) every response rhymed with “vowel”.

I didn’t even notice that!

She admitted to never having heard of an answer, which obviously disqualifies her. /s

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<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\
**Post date:** [June 4, 2021, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/who-should-be-the-next-host-of-jeopardy/925460/503 "2021-06-04T00:35:35Z")

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> [@jsc1953](#):
>
> I didn’t even notice that!

Neither did I, until Bialik was laughing after the last response in the category. One of the clues was about a Secretary of State, and I almost said “who is Madeleine Albright”?

ETA: I wonder how many times I’ve been whooshed by Jeopardy because Alex Trebek could keep a straight face.

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