In Monday’s episode of “Tamron Hall,” CNN legal analyst Laura Coates said that when “Jeopardy!” was running through guest hosts and looking for a permanent replacement, she asked for her name to be included, per USA Today.
“I certainly raised my hand and knocked on doors and found them closed. I asked for the opportunity, I was told ‘no,’” Coates told Hall. “Which is one of those moments, Tamron, when you have to remember to wear your own jersey. You have to remember to continue to be your own champion in other respects.”
Coates was, in fact, Trebek’s first pick for host.
Who were Alex Trebek’s picks?
In an interview in 2018, Alex Trebek, host of “Jeopardy!” who died in 2020, mentioned candidates who would be great replacements should Trebek decide to retire
Talking to TMZ founder Harvey Levin on the show “OBJECTified,” Trebek named two candidates who would make a “good, solid host of the show”: CNN legal analyst Laura Coates and L.A. Kings hockey announcer Alex Faust, per TV Insider.
Trebek noted that Coastes was “very bright” and “very personable. She took to Twitter to respond, saying she was “Incredibly honored & humbled @Jeopardy Alex Trebek 1) knows who I am 2) thinks I’d be a great host of my fave game show ever that I grew up watching w/ my family & still watch w/ my own kids.”
Incredibly honored & humbled @Jeopardy Alex Trebek 1) knows who I am 2) thinks I'd be a great host of my fave game show ever that I grew up watching w/ my family & still watch w/ my own kids (who saw him say this & now think I'm a genius) #Dying https://t.co/qdMxWc9g5e via @TMZ
— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) July 30, 2018
For his second choice, Trebek said, “I mentioned to our producer not so long ago that the fellow that does play-by-play for the Los Angeles Kings — they should consider him. He’s young. He’s attractive. His first name is Alex.”
Who is the current host?
Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik have been sharing hosting duties and will continue to do so into 2022 though a permanent host has not been announced yet.