Katie Couric, longtime star of the news network, was hired to take over the hosting reins for “Jeopardy!” for a week, according to several people familiar with the plan.
Couric will be one of the first hosts invited to direct the iconic game show after the final episodes with longtime host Alex Trebek to air this week. Trebek, who died on November 8 after battling pancreatic cancer, recorded the programs in October.
Couric declined to comment when asked about the reservation or if she is interested in being Trebek’s full-time successor. A representative of Sony Pictures Television, which produces “Jeopardy!”, Also declined to comment.
The producers of “Jeopardy!” have already stated their plans to have guest hosts after the final Trebek episodes, until a permanent replacement is chosen. “Danger!” champion Ken Jennings, who has a general contract with Sony, was also hired to run the program. Episodes with Jennings as a presenter are scheduled to air on Jan. 11.
Passes by the invited host are likely to play an important role in determining who succeeds Trebek, who has led the syndicated version of the program since its launch in 1984.
Couric, 63, is one of television’s best-known personalities, thanks to his huge success as a co-anchor in NBC’s morning news franchise, “Today”. The program was No. 1 in the ratings for most of its screening, from 1991 to 2006.
She spent five years as an anchor for “CBS Evening News”. She hosted a syndicated talk show for Walt Disney Co. and worked as a correspondent for ABC News.
In recent years, Couric has run his own media company that produces documentaries, podcasts and a daily newsletter.