NY Post: Matt Lauer is being Eyed to Replace Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!" in 2016 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 03-15-2013, 04:58 PM

"Jeopardy!" Looking at Lauer as Next Host
by MICHAEL SHAIN
March 15, 2013

The answer to the "Jeopardy!" clue “Alex Trebek’s replacement” has a new and surprising question:

“Who is Matt Lauer?”

The beleaguered host of the "Today" show is at the top of the list to take over the brainy game show when Trebek steps down, as expected, in 2016, knowledgeable sources tell The Post.

Lauer is widely reported to be on his way out at the morning show, which has tumbled to No. 2 in the ratings in the last year. He is being blamed for the show’s fall from grace after 16 years on top.

The Post reported this week that Lauer is not expected to re-sign with "Today" when his blockbuster, $25-million-a-year deal expires in 2015.

By coincidence, that’s about the time Trebek is expected to end his three-decade run as the host of the habit-forming game show.

Sony Pictures Television, which owns the hugely profitable show, has quietly been feeling out TV personalities in recent months to see who might be available and willing to take on the role in 2016, sources say.

Trebek — who suffered his second heart attack last summer — said in interviews last year that he was thinking about retiring this season.

But Sony convinced him to sign one final, three-year contract — taking him to age 76 — to give producers enough time to find a next-generation successor.

Trebek is so thoroughly identified with "Jeopardy!" that finding a new face for the show is a decision that will take several years to make.

According to sources with knowledge of the internal discussions, Sony is also strongly considering Anderson Cooper — whose contract with CNN reportedly ends next year — for the job.

Cooper hosted a competitive reality show on ABC called "The Mole" before his CNN days.

But right now, Lauer’s name is at the top of the list, several sources say.

Until this week, Sony thought it might have to convince Lauer to do double duty on a game show and the morning show.

But if Lauer is off "Today", it makes him suddenly available.

It is unclear if Sony has approached Lauer’s long-time agent, Ken Lindner.

Final decisions on all these moves are at least a year-and-a-half away, and much can happen before then.

“In this business,” said one insider with knowledge of the players, “that’s a lifetime.”

Calls to Lauer’s agent yesterday were not returned.

A spokesman for "Jeopardy!" declined to comment.

http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainmen...SSe3I4tM74WMtO

catlover79 · 03-15-2013, 05:10 PM

DEAR GOD, PLEASE, NO!!!!!! ANYONE BUT LAUER!!!!!!!

robyrob · 03-15-2013, 08:32 PM

:

catlover79 · 03-16-2013, 12:18 AM

Get John O'Hurley!!!!

Marvo301 · 03-16-2013, 03:19 PM

Matt Lauer clearly has the intelligence necessary to host Jeopardy but he is almost completely lacking in the areas of charisma and charm. And those are two key ingredients in a good gameshow host. I vote for Meredith Viera as the new host.

robyrob · 03-16-2013, 05:30 PM

i vote for Will Ferrell

let'swatchtv · 03-16-2013, 11:25 PM

I don't know about you guys but I've also heard that CNN star Anderson Cooper is in the running to fill in Trebek's shoes as well: http://movies.yahoo.com/news/anderso...221919443.html

Granted, he did host The Mole for two seasons on ABC even though it's really not considered a "game show"...well, In My Opinion at least!

howierules86 · 03-17-2013, 08:25 AM

How about Lester Holt? He's still doing a great job co-hosting Weekend Today in New York, though.

JamesG · 03-17-2013, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by let'swatchtv

I don't know about you guys but I've also heard that CNN star Anderson Cooper is in the running to fill in Trebek's shoes as well: http://movies.yahoo.com/news/anderso...221919443.html

Granted, he did host The Mole for two seasons on ABC even though it's really not considered a "game show"...well, In My Opinion at least!

Yeah, the NY Post article did mention that Anderson Cooper is being looked at.

An article over at Deadline mentioned that NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and NBC Sports personality Dan Patrick are also on the list - http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/bria...r-also-in-mix/

let'swatchtv · 03-18-2013, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesG

Yeah, the NY Post article did mention that Anderson Cooper is being looked at.

An article over at Deadline mentioned that NBC Nightly News anchor Brian Williams and NBC Sports personality Dan Patrick are also on the list - http://www.deadline.com/2013/03/bria...r-also-in-mix/

Brain Williams I may have heard to be the next candiddate but not Dan Patrick.

but hey, if it isn't John O'Hurley then how about Pat Kiernan (Studio 7/The World Series of Pop Culture/Grand Slam "as a voice over") or Fred Roggin (GSN Live/The Money List) as one of the running Jeopardy! candidates?

also folks check out these 10 future candidates for the jeopardy! gig ( including Matt L. and Anderson C.) courtesy of After Elton.com:http://www.afterelton.com/2013/10-best-jeopardy-replacement-hosts

GameShowFan66 · 11-21-2013, 01:08 PM

Johnny Gilbert is 90, or close to it. If he is still around, and hopefully he will be when Alex steps down in 2016, I wonder if the show is going to replace Gilbert with a new announcer too?

Mario500 · 11-21-2013, 03:01 PM

Johnny Gilbert's current age is 89 years, according to the Internet Movie Database (his birthday is July 13th).

ThomasE · 12-04-2013, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Matt Lauer clearly has the intelligence necessary to host Jeopardy but he is almost completely lacking in the areas of charisma and charm. And those are two key ingredients in a good gameshow host. I vote for Meredith Viera as the new host.

Like it. Good idea. That might be crazy enough to work.

03-15-2013, 04:58 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,095	NY Post: Matt Lauer is being Eyed to Replace Alex Trebek on "Jeopardy!" in 2016 *"Jeopardy!" Looking at Lauer as Next Host* by MICHAEL SHAIN March 15, 2013 The answer to the "Jeopardy!" clue “Alex Trebek’s replacement” has a new and surprising question: “Who is Matt Lauer?” The beleaguered host of the "Today" show is at the top of the list to take over the brainy game show when Trebek steps down, as expected, in 2016, knowledgeable sources tell The Post. Lauer is widely reported to be on his way out at the morning show, which has tumbled to No. 2 in the ratings in the last year. He is being blamed for the show’s fall from grace after 16 years on top. The Post reported this week that Lauer is not expected to re-sign with "Today" when his blockbuster, $25-million-a-year deal expires in 2015. By coincidence, that’s about the time Trebek is expected to end his three-decade run as the host of the habit-forming game show. Sony Pictures Television, which owns the hugely profitable show, has quietly been feeling out TV personalities in recent months to see who might be available and willing to take on the role in 2016, sources say. Trebek — who suffered his second heart attack last summer — said in interviews last year that he was thinking about retiring this season. But Sony convinced him to sign one final, three-year contract — taking him to age 76 — to give producers enough time to find a next-generation successor. Trebek is so thoroughly identified with "Jeopardy!" that finding a new face for the show is a decision that will take several years to make. According to sources with knowledge of the internal discussions, Sony is also strongly considering Anderson Cooper — whose contract with CNN reportedly ends next year — for the job. Cooper hosted a competitive reality show on ABC called "The Mole" before his CNN days. But right now, Lauer’s name is at the top of the list, several sources say. Until this week, Sony thought it might have to convince Lauer to do double duty on a game show and the morning show. But if Lauer is off "Today", it makes him suddenly available. It is unclear if Sony has approached Lauer’s long-time agent, Ken Lindner. Final decisions on all these moves are at least a year-and-a-half away, and much can happen before then. “In this business,” said one insider with knowledge of the players, “that’s a lifetime.” Calls to Lauer’s agent yesterday were not returned. A spokesman for "Jeopardy!" declined to comment. http://www.nypost.com/p/entertainmen...SSe3I4tM74WMtO Attached Images

03-15-2013, 05:10 PM	#2
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	DEAR GOD, PLEASE, NO!!!!!! ANYONE BUT LAUER!!!!!!!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

03-15-2013, 08:32 PM	#3
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,188	:
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03-16-2013, 03:19 PM	#5
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,453	Matt Lauer clearly has the intelligence necessary to host Jeopardy but he is almost completely lacking in the areas of charisma and charm. And those are two key ingredients in a good gameshow host. I vote for Meredith Viera as the new host.
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

03-17-2013, 08:25 AM	#8
howierules86 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Dec 05, 2007 Location: Opelika, AL Posts: 29,624	How about Lester Holt? He's still doing a great job co-hosting Weekend Today in New York, though.
	__________________ I love me some Susanna Hoffs - http://www.susannahoffs.com And many other very talented ladies too.

03-16-2013, 12:18 AM	#4
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	Get John O'Hurley!!!!

03-16-2013, 05:30 PM	#6
robyrob certified wackball#3 Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Aug 03, 2003 Location: hiding under the third booth at Arnold's Posts: 58,188	i vote for Will Ferrell

03-16-2013, 11:25 PM	#7
let'swatchtv Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jun 13, 2012 Location: Winston-Salem N.C. Posts: 725	I don't know about you guys but I've also heard that CNN star Anderson Cooper is in the running to fill in Trebek's shoes as well: http://movies.yahoo.com/news/anderso...221919443.html Granted, he did host The Mole for two seasons on ABC even though it's really not considered a "game show"...well, In My Opinion at least!

11-21-2013, 01:08 PM	#11
GameShowFan66 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: May 20, 2013 Location: Suburban Philadelphia, PA Posts: 78	Johnny Gilbert is 90, or close to it. If he is still around, and hopefully he will be when Alex steps down in 2016, I wonder if the show is going to replace Gilbert with a new announcer too?

11-21-2013, 03:01 PM	#12
Mario500 Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 14, 2011 Posts: 1,076	Johnny Gilbert's current age is 89 years, according to the Internet Movie Database (his birthday is July 13th).