Alex Trebek displayed gameshow host Excellence on a nightly basis. Following his passing in November 2020, a series of guest hosts have filled in, but a final replacement is proving difficutl to determine. — By Brian Hurlburt, Founder and Host, Magnifying Excellence Podcast.
According to Deepak Sarma, a Case Western Reserve University professor and Netflix cultural consultant, Trebek helped build the show’s “display of excellence with his own excellence. And it’s tremendously difficult to find somebody to replace him, not only because of the status that he had in the American imagination,” “Anyone who is going to take his position will be judged in the end against this model of perfection.” Sarma’s comments were in a recent Associated Press article.
In 1984, comedienne Lucille Ball suggested hiring Trebek to show producer Merv Griffin and he made the hire.
Again from the Associated Press:
Audience and critical regard for the Canadian-born Trebek grew over the years, which makes finding a worthy replacement both a gesture of respect for the late host and the means to protect a corporate asset. While ratings have shifted under the guest hosts, “Jeopardy!” remains among the top-ranked syndicated programs in viewership.
A decision is expected before the new season begins taping later this summer.