How ‘Jeopardy!’ is filling time during its dramatic search for a host (2024)

“Jeopardy!” still doesn’t have a host, but the show will return for a new season on Sept. 13.

In the meantime, fans tuning in for their nightly dose of trivia will find reruns.

‘Jeopardy!’ is re-airing the ‘Tournament of Champions’

Starting Monday and extending through Sept. 10, “Jeopardy!” is re-airing the recent “Tournament of Champions” that featured Buzzy Cohen —a 2017 “Tournament of Champions” winner — as host.

“I started working out to get my stamina up,” Cohen told “Jeopardy!” producers of his preparation. “I know how long these tape days are and how focused and attentive the host really needs to be. ... You’ve got to be really focused and have your stamina up.”

The 10-day tournament initially aired in May, and Cohen’s stint as host drew a lot of praise from fans on social media. One tweet of support from 2015 “Tournament of Champions” winnerAlex Jacobhas 2,000 likes and more than 1,000 retweets.

“I think Buzzy Cohen would be a great choice for permanent #Jeopardy host,” Jacob wrote.

A highlight of the tournament was when the show honored 24-year-oldBrayden Smith, a five-day “Jeopardy!” champion who died unexpectedly earlier this year. Smith had been looking forward to competing in the “Tournament of Champions,” the Deseret News reported.

“You’ve now met all 15 of the players who qualified for the ‘Tournament of Champions’ — well, almost all,” Cohensaid during one of the episodes. “Brayden Smith, the incredible young man who won five shows and $115,000 in January, passed away earlier this year. Brayden’s family has established a fund in his name and ‘Jeopardy!’ will be donating to that fund. We want to express our best wishes and condolences to his family.”

Who is the new ‘Jeopardy!’ host?

Earlier this month, just days after being declared the new host of “Jeopardy!,” Mike Richards stepped down from the position afterpast controversies — including his “offensive language” and disparaging remarks about women’s bodies on a podcast — resurfaced in a report fromThe Ringer.

“Over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show,” Richards said in astatement, the Deseret News reported.

“It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on ‘Jeopardy!‘ as we look to start a new chapter,” Richards continued. “I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention that has come to ‘Jeopardy!’ over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing. I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.”

“Jeopardy!” has since announced that Mayim Bialik, a neuroscientist and actress known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler on “The Big Bang Theory,” will host 15 episodes of the quiz show’s upcoming season, the Deseret News reported.

Bialik is reportedly being considered for the role of permanent host, CNN reported. Other fan favorites, like Cohen, Ken Jennings and LeVar Burton, have also expressed interest in hosting full-time, according to the Deseret News.

In an interview with USA Today earlier this year, Cohen said he’d take the permanent job as host “in a heartbeat.”

“Alex (Trebek) and I had a funny exchange about my interest in potentially hosting somedaywhen he retired, so the folks over at ‘Jeopardy!’ knew that it’s a dream of mine,” he said. “I’d love to be the host of this show that I’ve loved since I was like, 9years old and issuch a part of who I am.”

In the meantime, as “Jeopardy!” moves forward in its search for a host, the show will announce additional guest hosts for the new season.