Fans of Jeopardy! have been patiently awaiting the selection of a new host for the iconic trivia show since the passing of the legendary Alex Trebek. While the show has experimented with a few guest hosts, including Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings and Katie Couric, the latest announcement has left many fans disappointed. Dr. Mehmet Oz, known for his daytime talk show The Dr. Oz Show, will be stepping in as a temporary host for the next few weeks, starting this Monday.
This decision by Jeopardy! producers has sparked a wave of backlash from devoted fans. Upon learning that Dr. Oz would be taking the place of Alex Trebek, numerous Jeopardy! enthusiasts expressed their frustration by declaring a boycott of the show during his episodes. One fan referred to Dr. Oz as a “charlatan champion of pseudoscience,” insisting he has no place on a show dedicated to factual information.
Former Jeopardy! contestants have also voiced their displeasure with the choice of Dr. Oz. Lindsey Shultz, a four-game champion on the show, pointed out that someone with a career in popular media, who promotes unproven remedies and undermines established scientific processes, may not be the best fit for a program centered around facts.
Longtime fans took to a Jeopardy! Subreddit to share their disappointment with the decision to work with Dr. Oz as the guest host. One fan expressed their discontent, stating, “For a show that is such a celebration of knowledge and progress, having a charlatan champion of pseudoscience like Dr. Oz as a guest host is shameful.” Another fan passionately commented, “I can’t believe this. This is an utter disgrace. ‘Dr.’ Oz will grace the same stage that Alex did. I wonder if there’s a way to let the show know that we’re all disgusted at the choice to have the anti-Alex as a host.”
Many fans believe that Ken Jennings would have been a better choice for the guest host position. They feel that, given his Jeopardy! GOAT status, Jennings is the most deserving candidate. Some even suggest that he should be considered for the permanent host position. Another potential candidate gaining support is “Reading Rainbow” star LeVar Burton. A Change.org petition has garnered over 115,000 signatures urging Jeopardy! producers to hire Burton as the replacement host, citing his decades-long experience hosting an educational show for children.
The controversy surrounding the selection of Dr. Oz as a guest host has left Jeopardy! fans disappointed and frustrated. As the show continues its search for a permanent replacement for Alex Trebek, the voices of the viewers remain strong, advocating for hosts like Ken Jennings and LeVar Burton, who they believe would embody the spirit and excellence of the iconic trivia show.
