What is “Nielsen bloodbath”?
Five notable celebrities have stepped in to guest host “Jeopardy!” after the death of the show’s iconic host Alex Trebek last year.
So far, the rotating cast of stand-ins have held their own, especially considering the big shoes they’ve had to fill.
But while they’ve all brought their own special touch, the ratings don’t lie.
You know that LeVar Burton is finally officially on board. Now revisit the stars who have guest hosted so far, and how they’ve fared on the Nielsen ratings (the standard measure for TV viewership in the US). (These numbers were compiled by TheWrap.com and reported on by Audacy’s Y98.)
Dr. Oz — Nielsen rating: 5.1
Dr. Mehmet OzGetty ImagesThere was controversy surrounding the show's decision to put celebrity medical expert Dr. Mehmet Oz on the podium, and this reflected in the numbers. Dr. Oz received an average rating of 5.1.
Katie Couric — Nielsen rating: 5.5
Katie CouricGetty ImagesWhile the famed news anchor found guest hosting the game show "a really fun thing to do," she also admitted that it's harder than it looks. “It’s pretty exhausting to do five of those in one day — just to make sure you’re pronouncing everything correctly,” she said in a recent interview. Her Nielsen rating was a 5.5.
Aaron Rodgers — Nielsen rating: 5.6
Aaron RodgersGetty ImagesDid Aaron Rodgers just find his new gig post-football? When asked if he would host full time, the Green Bay Packers legend's response was simple: "Hell yeah, I would." He added: "Look, it’s my second-brain job. I love the show and have a deep, deep affection for it. Not only is it a nostalgic connection to my childhood, but it’s a really special show to me, and I had a great time with everybody that works there." His love for the classic show must have emanated for viewers. He comes in third with a Nielsen rating of 5.6.
Mike Richards — Nielsen rating: 5.9
Mike RichardsGetty ImagesIt's not surprising that fans responded positively to the award-winning executive producer of "Jeopardy!" stepping up to host the show. Who better than someone who knows the series' inner workings? Richards pulled off the second highest Nielsen rating of all the guest hosts so far with a 5.9.
Ken Jennings — Nielsen rating: 6
Ken JenningsGetty ImagesIt's not secret that "Jeopardy!" fans love Ken Jennings, the show's biggest winner ever. Jennings was the first to guest host after Trebek's passing, and it's clear that viewers loved it. He tops off the list with a Nielsen rating of 6.
Discover more game show content on Audacy
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—The 7 top 'Jeopardy!' winners who made the most money
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—Vanna White: 'Wheel of Fortune' fans helped me cope with past tragedies
—The 9 funniest 'Wheel of Fortune' wrong answers
—Come on down for 7 facts you never knew about legendary 'Price Is Right' host Bob Barker
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