Is George Stephanopolous the next host of 'Jeopardy!'? This could 'disrespectful' to Alex Trebek’s family: Report
Just a couple of days after Alex Trebek, the host of the game show 'Jeopardy!' died, many are eyeing his role as per reports. Television host and political commentator George Stephanopoulos' reps are reportedly lobbying for him to be the next host for the game show, as per an exclusive report by The Wrap.
A “highly placed” source told that the reps for ABC News Journalist George, are lobbying for him to take over the iconic Alex Trebek role who died of cancer on November 8. As per reports, the website Wrap says George— who co-anchors “Good Morning America” on ABC — has been “actively” chasing the role. Now ABC, who has the syndication rights for the game show has to decide its next host along with the game show’s distributor CBS Television, and producer Sony Television.
George who has been a Rhodes scholar said in May this year that he was interested in the role but was also satisfied with what he was currently pursuing. “I think it would be a lot of fun, but I like what I’m doing too,” he responded in an interview as reported by Page Six. “I am not going to be Shermanesque about it. It’s a great show … It’s very flattering. Big shoes to fill.”George reportedly admitted that he watches and plays along with his two daughters and wife Ali Wentworth at home while mentioning about ‘Jeopardy!’.
Despite the Wrap report that says his reps are lobbying for George to be the host in the show an ABC source denied such claims. “Of course he’s not lobbying … how disrespectful would that be to Alex’s family,” the source said to The New York Post.
Who can reportedly replace Trebek?
As per Daily Mail, The Wrap report’s source also claims that Dan Harris is also 'pitching' himself for the position of late show host Trebek. Dan is a journalist and anchor for ABC News' Nightline and is also the co-anchor for the weekend edition of chat show ‘Good Morning America’.
Before Trebek’s death, Ken Jennings was named a consulting producer on the show, which ran rumors that maybe he could take over the role. However, nothing has been confirmed yet if George Stephanopolous, Dan Harris or Ken Jennings have any such plans to be the host at the show.
Prior to his death, Trebek had said that his chances of exiting 'Jeopardy!' were more than 50/50 in 2020 when his contract would expire. He further revealed that LA Kings hockey announcer Alex Faust could be one of the young hosts who could take his place, as we reported earlier. However, nothing is confirmed yet.
In his career, Trebek continued to host the 37th seasons of ‘Jeopardy!’ amid the Covid-19 pandemic. The late 80-year-old hosted over 8,200 episodes of the show which has won 39 Emmy awards.
Trebek was suffering from stage 4 pancreatic cancer. However, the witty and suave host continued his hosting duties despite having agonizing moments due to ill health. “There were moments of great pain,” the host said in a gut-wrenching and emotional update on Twitter on March 4. “Moments when certain bodily functions no longer functioned and some massive attacks of the great depression that made me wonder if it was really worth fighting on.” He continued, “But I brushed that aside very quickly, because that would have been a massive betrayal.”
Fans want Ken Jennings
Now as such reports land of George Stephanopolous purportedly eyeing 'Jeopardy!', Internet has reacted to it. A user favored Ken Jennings, "Whoever is in charge of picking the next jeopardy! host can you please make sure it’s Ken Jennings and not George Stephanopoulos? sincerely, everybody." Another concurred, "everyone wants Ken Jennings." A user wrote, "I will never watch a second of @Jeopardy with George Stephanopolous as host."
@ whoever is in charge of picking the next jeopardy! host can you please make sure it’s ken jennings and not george stephanopolous? sincerely, everybody
— maddy her-AIR-uh (@maddyrherrera) November 10, 2020
I will never watch a second of @Jeopardy with George Stephanopolous as host.
— The Dude (@JurisDudence) November 10, 2020
These allegations were made by the internet and individual organizations, MEA WorldWide (MEAWW) cannot confirm them independently and nor does it support these claims being made on the Internet.