Katie Couric makes TV history in her debut as the first female host of Jeopardy! and admits she prepared by intensely studying the late Alex Trebek
She will make television tonight as the first female host of game show Jeopardy!
And Katie Couric says it was a no brainer to accept the gig when offered.
‘It’s just such an American institution and the opportunity to play a small part in the continuation of this show was just something I didn’t want to pass up,’ the 64-year-old said in an interview posted on YouTube Sunday,
Debut: Katie Couric, 64, will make television history Monday night as the first female host of CBS game show Jeopardy!
The veteran TV anchor will host the CBS game show through March 19 as one of a series of guest hosts following the death from cancer of legendary longtime host Alex Trebek.
Couric admitted she felt nervous about taking on the high-profile role.
‘The last thing I wanted to do was come here and mess up and embarrass the show,’ she shared.
‘The thing is, everyone here [at Jeopardy!] takes such good care of you and it was such a relief to know that they weren’t going to let me look stupid and they were going to have my back and help me out,’ she said.
Temp gig: The veteran TV anchor will host the CBS game show through March 19 as one of a series of guest hosts following the death from cancer of legendary longtime host Alex Trebek
Legend: Couric revealed that she studied Trebek and how he transitioned from category to category and how he interacted with contestants in preparation for her stint on the game show
Couric revealed that she studied Trebek and how he transitioned from category to category and how he interacted with contestants in preparation for her stint on the game show.
Her hosting gig will also raise money for the charity she co-founded Stand Up To Cancer with the show donating an amount equal to the contestants’ cumulative winnings.
Trebek passed away in November after a long and high-profile battle with cancer.
Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings initially took over the reins before CBS announced that for the time being, no permanent replacement host will be named.
In addition to Couric, Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, actress Mayim Bialik and journalist Bill Whitaker have all been tapped to host the quiz show.
Popular: Trebek passed away in November and Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings initially took over the reins before CBS announced no permanent replacement host will be named yet
Famous faces: In addition to Couric, other celebrity hosts lined up include Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and actress Mayim Bialik
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