…and if Ken Jennings doesn’t replace him, you’ll be able to hear my cries of impotent rage from here to eternity.

According to the New York Post, Alex Trebek’s contract to host Jeopardy! ends in 2016, and he appears to have made the decision to retire when it ends.

The rumored top pick? The Today Show’s Matt Lauer.

From 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.

As someone who has spent either too much or not enough of his life watching TV game shows (there is no in-between), I can say that Lauer doesn’t strike me as someone who would be an interesting host for the show. Sure, he’s a name but can he bring the same amount of smarm, intelligence and deadpan mocking of contestants that Trebek did? I doubt it.

Why, if anyone should be in consideration for the show, it should be noted Jeopardy! conqueror Ken Jennings, famous for both his 74 game win streak and his hilarious sense of humor.

I’ve been there too, buddy. Mmmf.

This article appears in Mar 14-20, 2013.

33 replies on “Alex Trebek to Retire From ‘Jeopardy!’ in 2016”

  2. I would not like either one! Ken is not likeable enough & Matt…well I don’t care for Matt! What about a woman?

  5. Rita, this may be the only time my name has been (or ever will be) uttered in the same breath as Justin Timberlake’s.

    I will forever cherish this moment.

  6. To me Alec Trebel has set the bar so high it is hard for me to think of anyone else. The next host will have a difficult time replacing Trebek because Trebek has been the best of the best where it comes to talk shows. Please don’t give Lauer that job. He ruined the Today Show.

  9. Why are there only male Caucasians listed as replacement options? How about Gwen Ifill? Or even better they can avoid issues of race and gender entirely if they would just hire Watson (He was funnier than Trebek). Even better, they can just hire Will Ferrell to play Trebek for a few years……

  12. I would think that Dennis Miller would make a good replacement.

    Granted, he lost me when he made that hard right political turn after 9/11, but from what I hear, Trebek is a pretty staunch conservative as well, and I never noticed that bleed into the show. If Miller could keep his opinions off-air, his sardonic wit and use of obscure references could potentially work quite well in the “Jeopardy” format.

    In my opinion, Miller just hasn’t been as funny since his seismic political shift, but I’m thinking – or hoping, anyway – that this is due to a conscious shift in priorities, rather than a drop-off in talent. Perhaps a new non-political gig would be just the thing for him.

    Lord knows, the guy’s smart enough…

  15. For all you “OLD PEOPLE” who remember who Alex replaced on jeopardy,( ART FLEMING)I am sure you can draw a parrell on the type of personality each one had and how that personality “FITS” in the jeorpady format. What we (FANS) do not want is a short term replacement who has ruined previous shows and is now looking for a new job. Jeopardy is a special show with a great following of die hard fans and while we will miss ALEX greatly please fill his slot with avery competent replacement.

  17. We certainly wouldn’t want a comedian to host the show – that would spoil it completely! It’s the best game show on TV and has always been taken seriously, so… the host needs to be taken seriously also. Alex Trebek will be a difficult person to follow. What was the name of the host on Nightline? He would be a good choice. Scott Pelley would be another choice.

  19. Levar Burton would like the job. He’s smart, well versed in a variety of subjects and very well read. I think he’d make a fine host for jeopardy. Not a comedian. They wouldn’t take the role seriously and what’s more; no one would be able to take them or the show seriously.

  21. Not Sagat – not Lauer! Love Stewart & Colbert – but NOT for Jeopardy! How about brains, charm, wit & easy-on-the-eye – Hugh Jackman!!
    Helen Mirren would be my choice for a female – not that either Jackman or Mirren would do it. Just wishful thinking.

  22. I heard that Trebek retired to permit Conan O’Brien to take the spot. I can’t wait to see Alex’s prime time A&Q show!

  23. I object to the term “replace”. Alex is irreplaceable. They are looking for Alex’s successor, which is not the same thing.

  24. Just watching last night and remarked that the 2nd & 3rd place contestants should get more than a lousy 1 or 2 thousand…
    Trebek gets 10 mill for reading questions and corny humor – let’s share some of that wealth!

  28. Steve:
    First of all, many of the names that have been submitted thus far doesn’t appeal to me nor most others, such as a name like Matt Lauer. He needs to retire and take time off and figure where he can be a better fit. His downfall on TODAY was his quest to ask too many questions to too many people about too many items, many personal. This type of entertainment, if you can call it that is about as dumb as one who thinks entertainment is Saturday Night Live and now even the Tonight show with Fallon. This isn’t humor, it’s off the wall far-from-funny stuff.

    Alex will be hard to replace when he does retire, which if you read other articles, he’s not retiring. This was overblown, like what the media does often. His replacement needs to be a person (male or female) who is educated, has a nice personality, and a bit of humor if you really need a light word or two such as Alex comes across with.

    Television if they’re smart, will find someone with Alex’s credentials. So for now, leave him alone. Enjoy his show and the months, years he has left there. THANK YOU

  31. I think 2016 is too far down the road for him to retire. He has been making mistakes and horrible comments for the last three years. Examples: “Our champion has not lost a game yet.” Duh, I do believe that is the definition of a Jeopardy champion. Had he lost, he wouldn’t be there. And recently, after the commercial before the Final Jeopardy question he stated, “The contestants are going to need to know something about the Bible for Final Jeopardy.” The category? The Bible!! But the worse to me is how he takes the limelight away from the contestants as he interviews them. His comments either undermine what they’ve said or worse, he tells a story about himself. His questions to them need to be more concise. I love Jeopardy, but I have grown to dislike ALex, which is a shame because up until the last three years I could at least tolerate him.

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