According to former Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards, Aaron Rodgers emerged as the most meticulously prepared among the guest hosts auditioned to potentially succeed Alex Trebek on the iconic game show.
Richards disclosed to People magazine that the show initially planned for guest hosts in the event of Trebek’s absence due to his battle with pancreatic cancer. “We had talked about people coming in and guest hosting if Alex got too sick,” Richards explained. “But we always knew Alex would come back until the day he decided he couldn’t.”
While cycling through guest hosts like Katie Couric, Joe Buck, Anderson Cooper, Mayim Bialik, and Ken Jennings, Rodgers notably stood out to Richards.
“Aaron Rodgers was definitely the most prepared,” Richards asserted, impressed by the quarterback’s diligence and warm interactions with the show’s staff. However, Richards expressed concern about Rodgers’ demanding football schedule, pondering how he would manage both commitments. Rodgers, unfazed, simply replied, “You’ll figure it out!”
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Rodgers’ own account of his preparation shed light on his dedication. “I watched hours and hours and hours of episodes,” he told ESPN in April 2021. “I studied for this like no other. I wanted to absolutely just crush it.”
Richards praised other guest hosts as well, noting Joe Buck’s quick adaptation and Robin Roberts’ exceptional kindness. He even mused about whether not choosing Katie Couric was a missed opportunity for the show’s reboot.
Eventually, Richards himself became a guest host before being selected as Trebek’s permanent successor. However, controversy swiftly engulfed Richards due to past legal issues and disparaging remarks from his podcast. Amid mounting public outcry, he resigned just nine days after his appointment, having hosted for only one day.
Now, three years later, Ken Jennings has assumed the mantle of permanent host as Jeopardy! continues its illustrious run into its 40th season.