Alex Trebek Gives Harvey Levin His Potential Successor Picks

Long-time Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek sat down at his home with TMZ founder Harvey Levin for a whole hour. The episode aired on the FOX News show, “OBJECTified” on July 29, 2018. They talked about many things, including two particular items we have heard about before during Jeopardy! chats:

Trebek’s favorite book: Alex told Harvey that he never throws anything out and then he proved it by producing “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Brontë his very first book purchase as a young boarding student at the University of Canada Prep School. Alex said he looked at it and thought “My gosh, this book is leather bound… and it’s only $2.00. I’ve gotta get that book and that was the beginning of, I guess you’d call it, a thirst for knowledge and a love of books.”

Alex also explained why the muskox is his favorite animal and special in his eyes. “When threatened by wolves,” he said, “they form a circle and all of the calves are inside the circle, fully protected. That’s probably why I love the muskox so much. I see myself as a protector of my family.”

Alex discussed many other aspects of his life and career with Harvey Levin: his childhood, his parents’ divorce, his philanthropy, his stints on other game shows and why, unlike Pat Sajak and Vanna White on “Wheel of Fortune”, he is not “the star” of Jeopardy! Alex firmly believes that the players and the material are the stars of the show. Harvey also wanted to know who would make a good solid host if Alex should decide to hang it up in 2020.

Surprisingly, Alex named names. He said that, not too long ago, he mentioned Alex Faust, “the fellow who does play-by-plays for the Los Angeles Kings,” to his producer as a possible successor. “He’s young, he’s attractive, his first name is Alex. It wouldn’t be a hardship for Johnny Gilbert to say ‘and now here is the host of Jeopardy!, Alex NOT Trebek.'”

I guess there are worse ways to randomly see your name show up on TMZ! 🤷🏻‍♂️

I’m flattered by Mr. Trebek’s kind words, and delighted to hear he’s a big @LAKings fan! 👑

— Alex Faust (@alex_faust) July 30, 2018

When Harvey asked: “What about women?”, Alex suggested CNN legal analyst, Laura Coates: “Very bright, very personable.”

Incredibly honored & humbled @Jeopardy Alex Trebek 1) knows who I am 2) thinks I'd be a great host of my fave game show ever that I grew up watching w/ my family & still watch w/ my own kids (who saw him say this & now think I'm a genius) #Dying https://t.co/qdMxWc9g5e via @TMZ

— Laura Coates (@thelauracoates) July 30, 2018

Alex put the odds of renewing his contract in 2020 at 50/50 or less, saying that it depends on whether he is still enjoying what he’s doing and whether he feels that he’s not making too many mistakes. He pointed out that he will be 80 years old in 2020. Levin didn’t point out the irony of Alex worrying about being 80 when Johnny Gilbert will be 96 in 2020.

If you missed the show, watch clips over here