'Jeopardy!' taps LeVar Burton, Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos to guest host

The search for a new jeopardy” target=”_blank”>”Jeopardy!”< lost its longtime emcee, Alex Trebek, in November after he died following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years old. 

The Emmy winner served as the host for “Jeopardy!” since 1984, presiding over more than 8,000 episodes.

Until a permanent host is announced by Sony Pictures Television, which produces the show, interim hosts have been announced by the “Jeopardy!” producers.

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On Wednesday, the producers announced that George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, LeVar Burton, David Faber, and Joe Buck will take turns guest hosting.

“Our goal has been to present a wide variety of guest hosts with different skill sets and backgrounds on our path to finding a permanent host,” executive producer Mike Richards said in a press release. “Our passionate fans are telling us what they like, and we are listening. All of the guest hosts have brought individualism, energy and an authentic love of our show to each of their episodes. We look forward to sharing the rest of the season with our viewers.”

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As a part of each guest host’s appearance, a donation will be made to a charity of their choice. The amount donated will equal the cumulative winnings of the contestants that compete during the week they serve as guest host.

“Alex was a legend, revered by all of us,” said Richards. “I want to thank our guest hosts, who will not only help all of us celebrate his great legacy, but also bring their own touch to the show.”

Check out the list of guest hosts below:

George Stephanopoulos

George Stephanopoulos worked in the Clinton administration before becoming an ABC anchor.

George Stephanopoulos worked in the Clinton administration before becoming an ABC anchor.
(Associated Press, File)

George Stephanopoulos is the co-anchor of “Good Morning America” and anchor of “This Week with George Stephanopoulos.”

He also leads the network’s coverage of all major live events and breaking news around the world.

Robin Roberts

Television presenter Robin Roberts is the co-anchor of 'Good Morning America.'

Television presenter Robin Roberts is the co-anchor of ‘Good Morning America.’
(Reuters)

Robin Roberts is the co-anchor of “Good Morning America.” Roberts has been honored with a range of accolades throughout her life and career. Some of them include the Walter Cronkite Award for Excellence in Journalism, induction into the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame as well as the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame.

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LeVar Burton

LeVar Burton is a multiple award-winning actor, director, educator &amp; cofounder of the Skybrary App.

LeVar Burton is a multiple award-winning actor, director, educator &amp; cofounder of the Skybrary App.
(Ian Tuttle/Getty Images for Breakthrough Prize)

LeVar Burton is a multiple award-winning actor, director, educator & cofounder of the Skybrary App, former host and executive producer of PBS’s “Reading Rainbow,” and a lifelong children’s literacy advocate.

He also hosts his own podcast, “LeVar Burton Reads” highlighting the best short fiction

David Faber

David Faber, anchor and reporter, CNBC.

David Faber, anchor and reporter, CNBC.
(William B. Plowman/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images)

An award-winning journalist and New York Times best-selling author, David Faber, dubbed “The Brain” by his colleagues, is a former Celebrity JEOPARDY! champion and the current co-anchor of CNBC’s “Squawk on the Street” where he has broken some of the financial world’s biggest stories.

Joe Buck

Joe Buck has been FOX Sports’ lead play-by-play broadcaster for the NFL on FOX since 2002.

Joe Buck has been FOX Sports’ lead play-by-play broadcaster for the NFL on FOX since 2002.
(Fox Sports)

Joe Buck is an Emmy-winning sportscaster and three-time recipient of the National Sportscaster of the Year award who is known for his NFL and MLB coverage on FOX.

Ken Jennings

'Jeopardy!' champion Ken Jennings.

‘Jeopardy!’ champion Ken Jennings.
(VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images)

Contestant Ken Jennings, whose 74-game winning streak and $2.52 million in earnings are show records, was the first to take over for Trebek. 

Jennings made his guest host debut earlier this year. He helmed the show for a few episodes. Executive producer Richards then took over as host for two weeks after Jennings’ run.

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Jennings said of the honor: “There will only ever be one Alex Trebek, but I’m honored to be helping ‘Jeopardy!’ out with this in January.”

He was also announced as a consulting producer on the series in September and has been a regular face on “Jeopardy!” 

Katie Couric

Katie Couric was a guest host on 'Jeopardy!' 

Katie Couric was a guest host on ‘Jeopardy!’ 
(AP, File)

The former morning news anchor briefly stepped in.

The 63-year-old helmed the “Today” show from 1991 to 2006. She also anchored “CBS Evening News” for five years. Couric now runs her own media company that produces documentaries and podcasts.

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Couric was the first woman ever to host the show.

Aaron Rodgers

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers guest-hosted after the football season ended. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers guest-hosted after the football season ended. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images)

aaron-rodgers” target=”_blank”>Aaron Rodgers< after the football season ended.

The Green Bay Packers quarterback said he was a huge fan of Trebek and considers the gig an honor.

“One of my idols growing up was Alex Trebek,” Rodgers said on the “Pat McAfee Show.” “They’re doing some guest hosting spots and it’s going to be released here pretty soon, but I have the opportunity to do one of those.”

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Rodgers was a winning “Celebrity Jeopardy!” contestant in 2015.

“The show has been so special to me over the years,” Rodgers told The Associated Press. “It’s been a staple at my house here in Green Bay for the last 16 years — 6 o’clock, watching Alex and trying to get as many questions as I can. When the opportunity came up in 2015, that was a dream come true. It really was. To be on there, to get to meet Alex was just such a special moment. We’re all obviously sad about his passing.”

Bill Whitaker

Bill Whitaker will guest host.

Bill Whitaker will guest host.
(Nicholas Hunt/Getty Images)

The “60 Minutes” correspondent will also be a guest host.

Mayim Bialik

Actress Mayim Bialik will pick up 'Jeopardy!' hosting duties. 

Actress Mayim Bialik will pick up ‘Jeopardy!’ hosting duties. 
(Photo by Scott Dudelson/Getty Images)

Actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik will be taking over hosting duties briefly.

She previously was one of the stars of CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory” and currently stars in FOX’s “Call Me Kat.”

In February, “Jeopardy!” announced its next batch of guest hosts. The famous names included talk show host Dr. Mehmet Oz, CNN anchor Anderson Cooper, “TODAY” show anchor Savannah Guthrie, and CNN chief medical correspondent Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

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Dr. Mehmet Oz

Dr. Mehmet Oz was a guest host. 

Dr. Mehmet Oz was a guest host. 
(Andrew Toth/Getty Images)

The cardiac surgeon and talk show host stepped in for a few episodes. 

Anderson Cooper

Anderson Cooper is currently the show's guest host. 

Anderson Cooper is currently the show’s guest host. 
(Michael Kovac/Getty Images for CORE, formerly J/P HRO)

The CNN anchor is currently taking his turn as the “Jeopardy!” emcee. 

Savannah Guthrie

Savannah Guthrie will guest host. 

Savannah Guthrie will guest host. 
(Charles Sykes/Bravo/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

The “TODAY” co-anchor is the third woman to be announced as a guest host for the game show. 

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Dr. Sanjay Gupta

Sanjay Gupta will briefly host as well. 

Sanjay Gupta will briefly host as well. 
(Getty Images/Getty Images for Women in Media Foundation)

“I used to watch @Jeopardy with my parents and now with my own kids. The thing is: there is just something so beautiful and reassuring about facts, simple straightforward facts. I cherish that. An honor to be an upcoming guest host, but seriously miss the great Alex Trebek,” the associate professor of Neurosurgery at Emory University Hospital and CNN chief medical correspondent wrote on Twitter. 

A permanent new host will be announced at a later date. 

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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