PolyWogg has a question about replacing announcers… and a game show host.
Did you hear Trebek suggested some "unusual" names to replace him on Jeopardy when he retires? An announcer for, I think, baseball games and I've already forgotten who the woman was.
As an announcer, do you have people to suggest to replace Nantz for football / all of MNF people / Trebek?
First of all, how tragic that Alex has Stage 4 Pancreatic cancer. I wish, as originally intended, this was just speculation for three years from now. Sadly, I think a decision will have to be made sooner. I sure hope I'm wrong.
The woman baseball announcer is Jessica Mendoza. Not sure why she’d be a good candidate to host JEOPARDY (or evaluate players for the New York Mets --that's insane).
Replacing Alex Trebek is like replacing Vin Scully. He’s truly masterful at hosting that show. I’ve watched tapings of JEOPARDY and it’s amazing how smooth he is and how easy he makes it look when in fact there are a lot of moving parts, tricky complicated answers, following the scoring, and handling unforeseen events. So who could replace him?
If I had to choose a woman I might think Rachel Maddow. You’ve got to be smart, able to read those hard-to-pronounce names and places in the answers, and have a personality. Another possibility: NBC Chief White House Correspondent Hallie Jackson (pictured above). Whip smart, takes no shit from Sarah Sanders, and very charming when filling in on THE TODAY SHOW.
For guys, Bob Costas is a New York minute. And I know the haters will be outraged, but Joe Buck would be awesome. He’s got a sense of humor and can handle all the mechanics. I think even some of the haters might be swayed.
Replacing Jim Nantz? First off, where is he going? I see Jim Nantz in that role as number one sportscaster for CBS for many years to come. That said, I would pick Ian Eagle. Calls a great game, is fun to listen to, works well with partners, and is very versatile.
Future stars in my opinion: Kevin Burkhardt of Fox and Jason Benetti of ESPN.
Who could replace the MNF crew? Anybody. Three guys off the street. Siri.
43 comments :
Seem to remember that when Bob Costas appeared on celebrity Jeopardy he crushed his opponents, then humbly said it was all about being able to click in first. He would be great, but I’m guessing they might want someone a bit younger. I’m also scratching my head about Jim Nantz, but since his name was mentioned, he would be great as a Jeopardy host. He is smoothness personified, and very smart and likable..
Kevin Burkhardt is truly awesome. When he was the Mets' sideline guy he was incredible at going back and forth between interviews and the action on the field without missing a beat - I have never seen anyone else handle that kind of thing so seamlessly.
I've wondered who would eventually replace Trebek since before this sad news broke. My top pick is J. Keith Van Straaten who has hosted various game shows over the years. He's a very serious trivia game nerd with the smarts and experience to handle the gig. He's currently doing a fun podcast game show "Go Fact Yourself" with co-host Helen Hong. Game show fans should check it out.
I think there was talk of Dan Patrick succeeding Alex Trebek because of "Sports Jeopardy," and I have no doubt he has the brains, but one of the risks for a show like "Jeopardy" is too much personality--Trebek (like The Vin) gets that the game is the thing, and his job is to make it more entertaining, not be the entertainment.
I hope Alex does get to fulfill his contract. But I'd also like to say a word for Johnny Gilbert, who is 94 and has never missed a show, either!
Off topic, but found this great interview with Ken by accident. http://thomloverro.radio.washingtontimes.com/tv-screenwriter-and-mlb-play-by-play-man-ken-levine-with-thom-loverro
It's ALMA Time! (As in "you have to be At Least My Age …")
Does anyone (besides me) remember that Alex Trebek was himself a replacement on Jeopardy?
I guess not.
When Jeopardy came back in syndication after some years layoff, there was a major kerfuffle over Merv Griffin not bringing back Art Fleming.
It came out later that Fleming had been offered the spot, but turned it down because the newer bells & whistles didn't work for him.
But try telling that to the trolls (they were around long before there was an Internet - I remember that too).
As to Baseball announcers who seem to be on the way out:
All I can say is I'm glad I stopped following the game when I did (that was at the Turn Of The Century (this one, of course)).
Each year, I test myself by looking up the latest editions of Baseball America's Directory, to see how many of the names of announcing teams I don't recognize.
Another year or two, and I'll likely hit 100%.
So There Too.
Anyone who isn't Steve Harvey.
And Ken--I know you're a comedy writer but Rachel Maddow? We're trying to be serious here.
And Hallie Jackson. Hallie hasn't been the same since Charlie Rose was fired and Hallie lost her posture coach.
Mine will be the most unlikely nominee on the blog today but here goes. I suggest San Diego (and former KNXT) news anchor Michael Tuck. I know I'm going against current trends and promoting a white, straight (probably), male who looks like a handsome Mormon. But think about the Trebek role. It's not to make us laugh, not to scold us or to make us see the wisdom of the host's politics. It's to read the answers clearly so everyone can understand what is being said, quickly and to move the game along. Tuck won an award from some San Diego deaf group who said he had the best enunciation and was the easiest anchor to lip-read. Tuck would be a perfect replacement.
Oh. I just checked the internet. Tuck may be dead. Never mind
Friday Question
David Mamet has tried to defend the indefensible by saying college admissions procedures are a joke and his friends Felicity Huffman and William H Macy should be forgiven. What do you think about Mamet basically trying to excuse exam fraud just because his friends are involved?
"If I had to choose a woman..." Why not a woman?! Can't imagine Rachel Maddow would be interested though!
I'm hoping ESPN replaces entire MNF announcing team now that Jason Witten is going back to playing for the Cowboys, rather than just keeping the other two and add a new third person.
MNF is still on?
You damn well know that sleazebag Ryan Seacrest will somehow end up becoming host of Jeopardy. Wouldn't be surprised if they caught him in Trebek's hospital room replacing the chemotherapy stuff with Skittle juice.
Please do a blog post on the college cheating scandal. Tell us about your personal experiences with getting your kids into colleges too! Felicity Huffman, Lori Loughlin! Scumbag, rich white celebs! Hahahahahahaha!
Steven Weber
Savannah Guthrie
I wish Harry Kalas were still with us. Like Vin Scully, he had game-show experience, though it was a University of Oregon-related show in the '70s titled "Name That Duck."
Jeanne Moos. That silken voice...
Joe Buck to host "Jeopardy?" Nah. And I'm not a Joe Buck hater, he's fine as a sports announcer and never understood the shit he gets. But as the host of a somewhat highbrow game show, he's too smug, too vain and frankly doesn't come off as smart enough. I don't know how smart Alex Trebek actually is, but he certainly sells it. Buck would seem like he only knows the answers because they appear in front of him.
Maybe Jeff Probst. He hosted a version of "Jeopardy" on VH1 a long time ago. And he was fine.
Rachel Maddow is an interesting choice, but I'm with Costas all the way.
Last year Alex Trebek did an interview with Harvey Levin in which he stated that he had floated the name of L.A. Kings announcer Alex Faust to his producers as a possible replacement. He also mentioned CNN legal analyst Laura Coates. Faust has a great voice and delivery. If he doesn't end up with the Jeopardy job I hope he'll somehow find his way over to the L.A. Dodgers...
Here is who Trebec would choose and the woman was not Jessica Mendoza. serious recommendations, including CNN analyst Laura Coates, LA Kings announcer Alex Faust and TCM host Ben Mankiewicz. “There are so many talented people out there that could do the job,” he said.
Wow, a whole column from my question! Thank you, thank you.
I'll try not to let the reward go to my head...
Paul
Hallie is from the Philly area, as are fellow TV political correspondents Margaret Brennan, Kristin Welker, and Kasie Hunt. I like Eagle and Burkhardt.
I would second Mackiewicz going to a game show if it meant he'd be off TCM. Talk about irreplaceable, Robert Osborne was TCM to me. Classy and humble.
Let me toss out some different names. It wouldn't surprise me if either Brad Rutter or Ken Jennings auditioned, or if the show considered other prominent past contestants (and no, not the ones you're probably thinking of, at least if they have any sense. Trebek has said, and I agree, that he thinks the key is realizing he's "hosting" the show rather than "starring" in it; the game's the thing. While you do want the host to have a bit of personality, they shouldn't stand out overmuch).
John Hodgman could work. He's both smart, and I've seen him speak and have to handle some unexpected events well. Mayim Bialik both is smart and has the public image of being smart from her work on Big Bang Theory. I know Wil Wheaton auditioned for the 500 Questions game show host a few years back, and his style could work with J!.
The other thing potential hosts will have to consider is that this likely will be their last job. There's no reason to think J!'s going off the air any time soon, and Drew Carey hasn't seemed to do much outside The Price is Right since he started. There's certainly time to do some other things (J! tapes 2 days a week, with a summer hiatus). Unless you pulled out after a few years, there's no reason to think that if you do a decent job you couldn't keep doing this for a few decades. Is this job what you want to go out on?
Madow? Gag me with a fork.
Alex is bilingual and I hope they'll get someone with the same ability. I fear, however, that the empty suits in charge are tossing around words like diversity and inclusion and youth culture and they'll end up with a young, clueless, incompetent ninny.
Yes, I remember Art Fleming and was disappointed when he didn't return, but Trebek grew on me and now I can't see anyone else in the role.
I would suggest one change in the show. They can dispense with those mini interviews after the first commercial break. My god, are they painful.
Blogger Michael said...
I hope Alex does get to fulfill his contract. But I'd also like to say a word for Johnny Gilbert, who is 94 and has never missed a show, either!
3/13/2019 7:55 AM
Since just about everything's on YouTube, here's a link to Johnny Gilbert, game show host, on an episode of "The Price is Right" from 1965 -- or one-year after Art Fleming began hosting the original NBC version of "Jeopardy!"
(Whoever they do pick, I'm hoping the main thing that person becomes known for, or wants to be known for, is hosting "Jeopardy!". Drew Carey's done a good job of deemphasizing his previous career and putting it on the back burner to do "TPIR"; I really don't want a host who thinks of "Jeopardy!" as just a side gig to some other media activity they don't want to give up.)
I saw the great Cheers episode featuring Dick Cavett a couple of nights back. He could do Jeopardy, but would he be considered too old?
Neil deGrasse Tyson would be great, but he already has a job, maybe more than one. I nominate Peter Sagal ("Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me" on NPR). Fast, articulate, very bright, ready for prime time. I like Keith Olbermann, but he probably has too much baggage.
When I used to travel to New York frequently, i would fall asleep to Ian Eagle doing overnights on WFAN and thought back then that he would be a star. Go figure.
Costas is a good choice to replace Trebek, but, wow, Hallie Jackson is a great call on your part. If I’m writing the checks for the next host, I ask Anderson Cooper to name his price to commit for 10 years.
Dan Patrick definitely has the training having hosted Sports Jeopardy for a number of years. I don't think, however, that he has the name recognition. Remember that when Trebek was given the job as host he had hosted more than a half dozen game shows. In the past decade most game show hosts have been former stand up comedians mainly because they have name recognition. So if you're looking for either a former game show host or a comedian who will not overpower the program, I would suggest Chris Harrison, Cedric, Craig Ferguson or Conan O'Brien.
For a person who would continue to have a job other than Jeopardy!, there have to be some logistical considerations. The show only tapes about 6 days a month for 9 months, but those are full days. It's not realistic to expect an East Coast-based broadcaster like Dan Patrick or Rachel Maddow to be absent from their own shows for at least 3 days (when you factor in a cross-country travel day) two or three weeks out of the month. It's likewise not realistic to use a baseball announcer who, once Spring Training starts, is obligated to his team nearly every day of the week until October.
The current Wheel of Fortune announcer, Jim Thornton, was previously a KNX news anchor, and tried to do both jobs for a while. But even though he was already based in Los Angeles, and Wheel has fewer taping days than Jeopardy!, Jim eventually had to give up his drive-time radio shift.
Maddow? You will alienate half of your audience. Jeopardy is a rare show that everyone enjoys. Why bring in a host that will anger and alienate a portion of the audience? The host needs to be vanilla and neutral. We tune in to watch the contestants and to see if we’re nearly as smart as they are.
I like Tom Galloway's idea about Brad Rutter or Ken Jennings...
"Joe Buck to host "Jeopardy?" Nah. And I'm not a Joe Buck hater, he's fine as a sports announcer and never understood the shit he gets. But as the host of a somewhat highbrow game show, he's too smug, too vain and frankly doesn't come off as smart enough. I don't know how smart Alex Trebek actually is, but he certainly sells it. Buck would seem like he only knows the answers because they appear in front of him."
KB, Joe Buck did an autobiography, which he called Lucky Bastard for reasons you can discern by reading the book. But the one thing he makes clear in there is that he doesn't consider himself smart enough for something like this. His comment about his dad--and I give him credit for the fact that he absolutely worships his dad--was that he read the whole newspaper and Joe only reads the sports pages.
Any excuse to recount the time I met Art Fleming. Two memories: 1) The guy was about 7 feet tall, and 2) was the nicest human being on God's earth. I met him when he was filling in as host of Chicago's local ABC morning talk show circa 1983 when it was between full-time hosts. I'm sure he had better things to do after the show, but he chatted with me (a.k.a., some guy off the street) for several minutes like I was actually important. Great guy.
Soon, the station hired a full-time host for the show ... Oprah somebody. Heard she did OK for herself.
And on the condition that he keep doing play by play for White Sox games for the next 100 years, I think Jason Benetti would be a great Jeopardy host, too.
Even if Dick Cavett were the perfect candidate to replace Alex, he's already past 80 - and when Cavett was moderator of the Disney Channel's College Bowl '87, he turned out to be not so ideal a choice as he might have seemed beforehand, and he was only 50 then. (This was a single-elimination national championship tournament, one of several attempts to revive College Bowl on TV in the 1980s, long after GE College Bowl went off the air. I was an alternate on one of the 16 teams and saw every match, all taped in an auditorium at Epcot over several days in June and broadcast weekly in the fall.)
How about Scott Baio? His calendar is pretty empty, as he just spends his days tweeting in support of Trump.
Scott Baio gotta eat!
If one is a Maddow hater that is just stupid. I am trying to think of some one on the other side. Would I turn it off just because I don't agree with them. Would all liberals turn off their sets if say Limbaugh got the job. Do people think that either Maddow or Limbaugh are going to spout their views on a quiz show. As for Buck. I think he would be fine. The show is not about showing how smart the host is but how smart the contestants are. Ferguson would be fun but I don't think he would want to do it. If I were to choose a sports personality it would be Doc Emrick. Way too old of course but he would be great.
I remember in the 80s one of the networks broadcasted a game with no announcers. It was awful, but probably still better than Jason Witten.
Shepherd Smith, although he may be a little too arrogant.
On a television interview a few weeks ago, Mr Trebek said he wanted the young LA Kings play by play announcer to replace him.
The HQ guy, Scott Rogowsky.
Maddow's speaking style is like nails on a chalkboard. That and I hate the "paper rustling" sfx on her show. Aside from that, I'd stay away from any polarizing political talking head. Jeff Probst would be good, but not sure how much of his "Survivor" schedule takes up his year.
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