“Jeopardy!” is currently on its sixth guest host since Alex Trebek’s death in November 2020.
Anderson Cooper — who admitted to being nervous to host the beloved quiz show — is just a couple of games into his two-week stint as “Jeopardy!” host. In terms of show ratings, it’s too early to tell how Cooper is doing. But the ratings of the other guest hosts reveal who “Jeopardy!” fans have watched the most and, in turn, who may have the biggest shot at becoming the permanent host.
What do the ‘Jeopardy!’ ratings say?
Ken Jennings has the strongest ‘Jeopardy!’ ratings
According to The Wrap, “Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time” champ Ken Jennings — who was the first guest host back in January — has had the strongest ratings. During the first week of his six-week hosting run, Jennings drew in an average of 10.3 million viewers — second this season only to Alex Trebek’s final week, the Deseret News reported.
Jennings has said that he hopes for “another chance” to host “Jeopardy!”
“I did feel like at the end, I was almost starting to get comfortable, I was starting to enjoy it a little bit,” Jennings recently said, according to My Edmond News. “I think with time I am starting to figure this out. So I do hope I get another chance.”
Mike Richards comes in second
Close behind Jennings is Mike Richards, the executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune.” Richards had to step in as host fairly last-minute, filling in after Jennings had to step down because of his obligations with the game show “The Chase” and the other assigned guest hosts could not get to Los Angeles in time, the Deseret News reported.
Aaron Rodgers is No. 3
NFL star Aaron Rodgers is the most recent guest host to finish a run on “Jeopardy!” so not all of his ratings are available. But according to The Wrap, the first week of Rodgers’ two-week run puts him just below Richards, but ahead of Katie Couric and Dr. Oz.
Rodgers’ first week as host led “Jeopardy!” ratings to spike 14% after they had dropped during Couric and Dr. Oz’s time behind the hosting lectern, CBS Sports reported.
Rodgers had some viral moments during his stint as host, including two instances where his role as the Green Bay Packers quarterback led to him being roasted by contestants. He has also been vocal about wanting to permanently replace Trebek.
Katie Couric finishes fourth
In terms of ratings, Katie Couric falls just a little below Rodgers, The Wrap reported. Although Couric has long been a fan of “Jeopardy!” the journalist has said she doesn’t want to be the permanent host.
“It was a really fun thing to do, (but) I love what I’m doing now,” Couric told Poynter. “I have tremendous flexibility. ... I’m really happy doing what I’m doing now.”
Dr. Oz is last
In terms of ratings, Dr. Oz finished last out of all the guest hosts, The Wrap reported.
Many “Jeopardy!” fans decried the show’s decision to have Dr. Oz host for two weeks — a petition for the show to remove the TV personality began circulating, the Deseret News reported. But Dr. Oz said he was taking on the role to honor Trebek, who was his friend.
“I was fortunate to become friends with Alex, and visited him and this show as often as I could,” Dr. Oz said at the start of his first episode. “One of my favorite memories was of Alex showing me, with immense pride, a room full of letters and support and love for him from you, from his fans. And of all of his achievements, he was most proud of his connection with all of you at home. I miss you, Alex, and I treasure your desire to always pay it forward.”
Who else is hosting ‘Jeopardy!’?
Cooper will host “Jeopardy!” from April 19-30. From there, “60 Minutes” correspondent Bill Whitaker will host May 3-14, followed by “Big Bang Theory” actress Mayim Bialik from May 31-June 11 and “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie from June 14-25, according to the “Jeopardy!” website.
Additionally, “Jeopardy!” announced on Wednesday that George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, LeVar Burton, David Faber and Joe Buck would all have turns behind the hosting lectern to finish out the 37th season.
“Our goal has been to present a wide variety of guest hosts with different skill sets and backgrounds on our path to finding a permanent host,” Richards said in a statement. “Our passionate fans are telling us what they like, and we are listening. All of the guest hosts have brought individualism, energy and an authentic love of our show to each of their episodes. We look forward to sharing the rest of the season with our viewers.”