How The ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Scandal Turned Viral (And Why We Care)

Featured Image Source

Jeopardy! is a prime-time quiz-style TV show that has a long history, beginning back in 1964. Despite its long TV history, it’s become the strange center of a viral frenzy. After the death of Alex Trebek from pancreatic cancer last year, they’ve launched an intensive nationwide search to replace him. It’s not an easy task after so many decades of iconic leadership and showmanship, but they thought they had it figured out.

After trotting out a cadre of famous, high-profile, would-be hosts to test them out on LIVE TV, they did a complete about face, selecting the show’s long-time executive producer Mike Richards, who has a long history as a television personality and game show host. He apparently forgot to mention that he also had a sordid history of inflammatory and discriminatory behavior and language. They aimed to keep him on as an executive producer and were left scrambling to find a new host; however, yesterday morning it was announced that he was fired. We’re left to wonder why there’s such an insane tenacity to this whole story. Why do we even care?  

It’s difficult to explain my own fascination with this viral story, much less the intense scrutiny of everyone else. I watched Jeopardy! in high school and college. For me, it represents a series of nostalgic moments, with vague memories of watching the show in the evening after cramming for Academic Decathlon. It was a geek quiz show, which at the time seemed to reward the accumulation of knowledge. I even had a teacher who dreamed of being on the show. 

Of course, I’ve become more jaded about quiz shows in general, particularly as stories from alums from the show have divulged the secrets of winning. It remains something of a curiosity for me, but Jeopardy! continues to quietly slip into TV oblivion. It’s become anachronistic. We could talk with the kids or even grandkids about how our grandparents watched it (mine did). So, what sparked my interest? 

Everyone In The Universe Respects LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton, long-time host of Reading Rainbow and the infamous Lt. Commander Gordy LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, threw his hat in the ring as a contender for the Jeopardy! His accomplishments are so varied and impressive that, even with my skepticism about network politics and the many pitfalls of such a selection process, I hoped he’d be a contender, particularly with his wide-spread support. 

He was the guest host, and the show even released this oddly stilted interview: 

But, while Sony gave him a guest slot, they apparently never considered Burton to be a viable candidate for the permanent position as the Alex Trebek replacement host. They’ve said he wasn’t the “right fit,” which is so often an ominous and unspecific side-step. It sure seems like they had to at least appear to give him screen time after the Change.org petition gathered more than 270k signatures in support of him as the permanent host.  

Burton told The New York Times: “I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do. I have been watching ‘Jeopardy!’ more or less every night of my life since Art Fleming was host. ‘Jeopardy!’ is a cultural touchstone, and for a Black man to occupy that podium is significant.” 

The recent departure of Mike Richards as the permanent host has revived the idea of Burton becoming the next Jeopardy! Host, while others have turned their attention to creating a show specifically for Burton to host. 

The First Female Host Of Jeopardy!

Of course, the departure of Richards and the dismissal of most other possible contenders from consideration now reignites the possibility that Mayim Bialik will REALLY become the first female host of Jeopardy!. She’s best known for her role as neuroscientist Amy Farrah Fowler on the CBS sitcom The Big Bang Theory.  

While Sony announced that she was a pseudo-co-host for a hot second when Mike Richards was the permanent host, it sure looks like they are still looking for a white guy who will wow their audience and drag the show back from the edge of extinction. 

For the moment, Mayim is still on tap as an interim guest host, as Sony scrambles to find a superstar candidate who fits the Alex Trebek mold. As Sony continues to decline the hosts we want the most, ANY announcement now will spark controversy and intrigue. 

What are your thoughts about the Jeopardy! host scandals? Sound off in the comments below.  

If You Want More Monet News About TV Shows, You Should Check Out:

Jean Smart And Hannah Einbinder Make ‘Hacks’ HBO Max’s Can’t-Miss Series

We Love The Female Power That Lois Lane Brings To CW’s New Superman