Sony Reportedly Searching For Alex's Replacement

[hbomb1947]

Why are people saying a comedian wouldn't work for a host?

I will propose that at least some of Trebek's "gravitas" has been earned from how earnest he is, to the point sometimes of being po-faced. A comedian would have to work extra hard not to let quips quell the mo' (to use Maggie Speak's famous expression).

Yes, but we are discussing a potential replacement, not a clone. Like it or not, things will be different with a different host. A little more humor (as long as it comes with plenty of knowledge) shouldn't be dismissed outright.

You don't want someone whose jokes / shtick would overshadow the contestants. J! isn't a show like Family Feud whose very nature makes it well-suited to having a comedian as host.

[MarkBarrett]

Four threads from previous discussions:

viewtopic.php?f=1&t=674
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1237
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=1925
viewtopic.php?f=1&t=2176

One name in all four threads? Aisha Tyler

[georgetrev]

Why are people saying a comedian wouldn't work for a host?

Remember Cedric The Entertainer's short tenure on Millionaire?

[triviawayne]

Why are people saying a comedian wouldn't work for a host?

Remember Cedric The Entertainer's short tenure on Millionaire?

Steve Harvey’s was shorter

[morbeedo]

I think that Lauren Graham or Alexis Bledel would be good choices, since they've already shown that they can be on a show with fast-talking dialog with some academic and pop culture terms thrown in. Or, since Jeopardy! needs more STEM, maybe someone like Danica McKellar or Mayim Bialik.

The Gilmore Girls? That’s bold

I'm not sure what's bold about it. I was recently on a Gilmore Girls re-watching binge and thought that Lauren would make a good host for J! given how clearly she can talk quickly, which is probably the most important trait for the new host to have. Lauren also has an MA in Theater.

Personally, I don't see a sitcom star replacing Alex Trebek, even someone as likable as Lauren Graham. I imagine someone with more gravitas, but I'll support whoever eventually takes over.

[billiej]

Pat Kiernan gets my vote

He's long been at the top of my list, although I must admit now that you guys have Burton on my radar, I'm liking that idea, too.

[Woof]

Depending on the future of the current incarnation of Millionaire, I could see Chris Harrison taking over Alex's job.

[Volante]

Why are people saying a comedian wouldn't work for a host?

I will propose that at least some of Trebek's "gravitas" has been earned from how earnest he is, to the point sometimes of being po-faced. A comedian would have to work extra hard not to let quips quell the mo' (to use Maggie Speak's famous expression).

Yes, but we are discussing a potential replacement, not a clone. Like it or not, things will be different with a different host. A little more humor (as long as it comes with plenty of knowledge) shouldn't be dismissed outright.

You don't want someone whose jokes / shtick would overshadow the contestants. J! isn't a show like Family Feud whose very nature makes it well-suited to having a comedian as host.

Or hinder the pace of play. Even straightforward games can still leave clues uncovered and more banter would only burn more time. Basically, I wouldn't want the game any slower than it is now on average (which seems to be >54, for the most part).

[heppm01]

Part of the appeal of AT for me is that I can believe he actually knows the responses to all the clues, actually is multi-lingual, actually has traveled the world.

A replacement host should at least be able to give the illusion of the above. Someone urbane and genteel. This rules out most comedians. Someone like John Mulaney might be able to grow into the role but like others have said, I don't want schtick to get in the way of the show.

Any thoughts on a previous champion filling the spot? I could definitely see Ken Jennings behind the podium. He would provide just enough continuity to the Trebeck era without being AT v2.0.

[oduguy22]

Whoever the Jeopardy staff feels is right for the job I would definitely get behind, but Pat Kiernan does has some interesting similarities its hard to ignore. He's hosted the World Series of Pop Culture and Grand Slam, which is Jeopardy-like pacing, and happens to be Canadian as well. LeVar Burton would definitely be a great choice as I grew up watching Reading Rainbow and TNG, and I feel he would definitely handle the Jeopardy pacing as well. I really would love to see Alex keep hosting and at least end on his own terms. For me, it has been a sort of wish fulfillment to meet Alex on stage, as I am currently in the pool, but I just hope that he gets well and can get through this trying time more than anything.

[MarkBarrett]

Pipes matter. Pat Kiernan has that without question and that is not a problem for LeVar either.

If the next host has a Twitter skeleton in the closet it will come out. If the next host has had legal issues they will get revealed.

If J! wants to do months with rotating hosts that is fine by me although I expect such things to happen behind the scenes and not on air. I trust the powers to make a good decision. It's a high profile job in the entertainment industry and the person will get a lot of scrutiny. No matter who is chosen there will be an opening round of gripes. Things will settle down and the show can go on.

[alietr]

Jim Parsons in character.

[Bamaman]

I think Anderson Cooper would be a good choice. He has a news background, so that gives him an appearance of being intellectual. He also doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously, much like Alex. He is 51 (ten days older than me), so he is young enough to put in a good 20 years or so at the helm. He is a Vanderbilt, so he has an aristocratic bloodline to help with the snobbery factor the show likes to portray. And while he is a white male, he is gay so he can check off one PC box.

Never seen Burton on anything other than Roots or Big Bang Theory, but I don’t have any problems with him as host. But he is 62, which would limit his longevity as host.

I don’t want a comedian. Steve Harvey is great on FF, but that show lends itself to that. I also wouldn’t want Ken or Brad as host.

[Lore]

LeVar Burton has said being the host of Jeopardy is his dream job.

[Stanislaus Jacob]

I have seen many threads on this subject over the years, and I don't think I have ever seen anyone suggest a promotion for one of the Clue Crew. All three obviously know how to read clues competently. And all current members happen to be women and/or minorities, if that is a consideration.

I guess it would be hard to figure out which one to pick without possibly causing resentment from the others. None of the three stands out as being a better reader or having more stage presence than the other two. And none has an obvious edge in terms of seniority. Jimmy and Sarah are both original members, and Kelly is not far behind. But I think all three should be under consideration.

[davey]

I think Anderson Cooper would be a good choice. He has a news background, so that gives him an appearance of being intellectual. He also doesn’t seem to take himself too seriously, much like Alex. He is 51 (ten days older than me), so he is young enough to put in a good 20 years or so at the helm. He is a Vanderbilt, so he has an aristocratic bloodline to help with the snobbery factor the show likes to portray. And while he is a white male, he is gay so he can check off one PC box.

Once people remember how poorly he did in the Tennessee Williams category the first time he was on J!, he may have to uncheck that box...

http://www.j-archive.com/showgame.php?game_id=2602

[Spiny Norman]

Though not yet discussed in this thread, the J! execs must also be thinking of a replacement for Johnny Gilbert. I think a member of the Clue Crew is most likely to take over that role. In fact, both Sarah and Kelly do the live intros for the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday games at tapings now. Johnny comes in later in the day for the Thursday and Friday games and to record intros for the 3 he missed.

Jimmy McGuire most commonly hosts the warm up games when he is in town, at least for the tapings that I have attended.

Didn't Todd Alan Crain host the Watson test games? One might expect that he would get consideration for the permanent job. There is definitely a learning curve as Dan Patrick illustrated with Sports Jeopardy. It took him about a season to find his rhythm.

[alietr]

Bring back Todd Alan Crain!

[Robert K S]

Todd's great, and I'm sure he'd do it in a heartbeat. Anyone with Netflix can check him out getting the snot beat out of him on Punisher Season 2.

[Vintsanity]

I have seen many threads on this subject over the years, and I don't think I have ever seen anyone suggest a promotion for one of the Clue Crew. All three obviously know how to read clues competently.

Also, is it unthinkable for the show promote from within, with someone who reads clues during the practice rounds? I preferred Glen Kagan's cadence to Trebek's when I was on stage. Him or one of the Clue Crew wouldn't have the learning curve of an inexperienced host.