It is never easy to take the place of something or someone that has been a permanent fixture in people’s lives…or TV-viewing habits at least. The November 2020 death of Alex Trebek, longtime host of syndicated game show “Jeopardy!” left quite a significant void in the program for which he had been the face of for over three decades. As a stopgap, the production began inviting notable personalities, from other TV show hosts, to actors, athletes, and even a “Jeopardy!” champion to appear as temporary hosts while a permanent replacement is decided. And that decision might be happening quite soon.

Deadline tells us that Jeopardy Productions might just be about ready to declare who they want to replace the late great Alex Trebek as host of the iconic knowledge game show “Jeopardy!” As to be expected, the candidates were definitely from the roster of guest hosts that have been stewarding for the show since late last year. While some of those personalities either has their own programs or are active elsewhere (like Dr. Oz or Aaron Rodgers of the NFL), there are some celebrity hosts who could be roped into doing the thing for longer.

Sadly for fans of favorite “Jeopardy!” guest host, actor LeVar Burton (“Star Trek TNG”), he does not seem to be the one production has in mind. In fact, Jeopardy Productions might be eyeing one of their own. Also having served as guest host was the show’s own executive producer, Michael Richards. And now the studio and Sony Picture Television are apparently in advance negotiations with Richards to move from behind the camera to in front. Richards became executive producer for “Jeopardy!” only last year, with past work in other TV game shows like “The Price is Right” and “Who Wants to be a Millionaire,” but he also has hosting experience.

Right now however, SPE seems to be quite taken with Mike Richards. In his short stint as guest host for “Jeopardy!” he apparently showed both command of the game and its contestants plus an on-air manner that put them at ease, all qualities Sony PE believes are just right for a proper successor to Alex Trebek. At present there are only negotiations, so the decision could still change. But the show has never been closer to receiving a new long-term shepherd since Trebek. Maybe Richards is the best possible choice.

Image courtesy of The Comeback