J! Guest Host news...

[Mr. Armadillo]

Ken's greenness sometimes showed through, but that's to be expected. The episode still felt very much like an episode of Jeopardy!, which in my opinion, means he succeeded.

This is the part where I remember that Jeopardy!'s announcer is 96 years old and begin to worry again.  Johnny's voice is another one of those irreplaceable effects that makes an episode of Jeopardy! feel like an episode of Jeopardy!, and he won't be there forever.

[JasonA1]

Peyton Manning has been attached to a College Bowl reboot (that's being co-produced by Eli and Cooper Manning on top of that)

No disrespect intended - and I'm not speaking of this specific situation necessarily either - but it's a good time to remind ourselves many (most?) star-related producer credits are ceremonial. It's come up in a thread or two lately, and I thought it bore mentioning.

-Jason

[snowpeck]

Per a news release that just landed in my inbox, we can add Bill Whitaker and Mayim Bialik to the list of guest hosts as well. Mike Richards will also host two weeks of shows immediately after Ken's are done.

[weaklink75]

And in a nice touch-for the celeb hosts, the show will donate whatever the total amount won by the winners is that week to a charity of the celebs choice...

I personally doubt Mike Richards really wants the full-time gig- the reason he's doing two weeks is that it probably took a few taping days to decide they'd go the celeb guest host route.

My thinking is-if Ken does this week and next, then Mike does the next two weeks, the 4 celeb hosts announced take them through February. They'll probably do more guest hosts for the rest of the season (some for one week, perhaps some for two); then make the final decision in May and have that person start up full-time in September (perhaps they delay the TOC and start next season with it).

[JMFabiano]

This does remind me...

Was there a reason why the TPIR tryouts were not televised? 

(Probably different companies, different practices)

[snowpeck]

This does remind me...

Was there a reason why the TPIR tryouts were not televised? 

(Probably different companies, different practices)

Bob didn't retire in the middle of a production season.

[Bryce L.]

This does remind me...

Was there a reason why the TPIR tryouts were not televised? 

(Probably different companies, different practices)

Bob didn't retire in the middle of a production season.

And that's another thing, Bob actually retired. Alex didn't have that luxury.

[Chuck Sutton]

If you know you are going to be a contestant during on Mayim Balek's,  you should probably study famous Beaches and Flowers.

[Jimmy Owen]

Have they considered Eugene Levy? 

[vtown7]

Just to clarify - is Mike Richards "booked" to host?  I hadn't seen that anywhere else.
Thanks,
Ryan.

[Scrabbleship]

Just to clarify - is Mike Richards "booked" to host?  I hadn't seen that anywhere else.
Thanks,
Ryan.

J!'s own press release said that he would do two weeks after Ken's six so that the other guest hosts have ample time to prepare.

[Jimmy Owen]

Mike Richards is heir-apparent.  I'd be very surprised if he is not selected as permanent host.

[SamPrainito]

Mike Richards is heir-apparent.  I'd be very surprised if he is not selected as permanent host.

I’m inclined to agree.  He was the face of the show right after Alex died, appearing on the “Today” show. 

It’s either going to be Ken or Mike.

Ken is better known, but Mike has the experience.

But if Mike gets the job, wouldn’t that take him away from all the other responsibilities that Sony brought him in to take care of in the first place?

[cmjb13]

Mike Richards is heir-apparent.  I'd be very surprised if he is not selected as permanent host.

I don’t see it, but stranger things have happened.

I thought he would have gotten hosting out of his system by now.

[Casey]

Mike Richards is heir-apparent.  I'd be very surprised if he is not selected as permanent host.

I’m inclined to agree.  He was the face of the show right after Alex died, appearing on the “Today” show. 

He's also the Executive Producer.  Who else should be speaking for the show during this time?