Late ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Alex Trebek Suggested CNN Analyst Laura Coates Replace Him in 2018

Jeopardy! fans unearthed a clip in which late host Alex Trebek named attorney and legal analyst Laura Coates as a potential successor.

Trebek made his recommendations in 2018 during an interview with TMZ host Harvey Levin. Levin mentioned Trebek’s Jeopardy! contract would end in 2020 and asked about potential replacements.

“Who would be a good solid host of the show if you retired?” Levin asked.

Initially, Trebek named sportscaster Alex Faust. When Levin asked about a potential female host, Coates was named.

“There is an attorney, Laura Coates, she’s African American and she appears on some of the cable news shows from time to time,” Trebek answered.

Trebek died from pancreatic cancer in November 2020, less than two weeks after he hosted his last show, per CNN. He was slated to remain host until 2022 due to a contract extension. Following the death, there were several guest hosts. On August 11 Jeopardy! named longtime executive producer Mike Richards as host of the daily syndicated program. Actress Mayim Bialik will host primetime and spin-offs.

The decision was controversial after many fans spent weeks suggesting Levar Burton take the helm. Additionally, offensive comments Richards made about women and people of color resurfaced

due to an expose from The Ringer.

Richards announced he was stepping down as host on Friday.

“As I mentioned last week, I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role,” Richards said in a statement. “However, 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. As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately.”

In the aftermath of Richards’ departure, fans are hoping Coates might have an actual shot.

“I like LeVar Burton as much as the next person. Alex Trebek is on record saying he thinks Laura Coates should have the job hosting Jeopardy! She should at LEAST get the opportunity to audition by guest-hosting for a week, like everyone else,” suggested one user.

Richards stated the search for a permanent syndicate host will continue. He is expected to remain an executive producer for the show.

Here we go again.