Alex Trebek Jokingly Explains Why He Thinks Betty White Should Be His Successor On 'Jeopardy!'

With a history stretching back decades, the game show Jeopardy! has been a major influence on popular culture. It's hard to imagine what things would be like without it.

However, when show host, Alex Trebek announced he had Stage 4 pancreatic cancer last year, the world was shocked at the thought of the show without the beloved host.

However, Trebek has the perfect replacement in mind: Betty White.

Alex Trebek reveals his surprising choice to be the next host of 'Jeopardy!' l GMAwww.youtube.com

In an interview with Good Morning America's T.J. Holmes, the 80-year-old Canadian was promoting his new book, And the Answer is...: Reflections on My Life. It's a memoir on Trebek's life and time in the public eye.

But we couldn't help but wonder, does the book answer the most important question?

Who could replace the inimitable Alex Trebek as host of Jeopardy!?

"I joke with the audience all the time and I say, 'Betty White,' because they want somebody younger, somebody funnier."

Trebek and White have been friends for a long time, with the latter even saying a crush is why she watches the show. In 2018, White told The New York Post that she enjoys Jeopardy! Because,

"First, it's such a good game and, second, I happen to have a huge crush on the host, Alex Trebek."

Many have given their own suggestions for a future host, with one of the most popular being former contestant, Ken Jennings. 

Jennings is one of, if not the most famous champions on the show. He holds the record for the longest winning streak, and regularly charms people through his Twitter page.

That said, you don't need to be a former champion to get suggested as the next host, but it certainly helps.

The GMA interview also touched on the changes the show has had to make, both to accommodate the Trebek's health as well as our current lives in isolation.

Trebek spoke on this, saying:

"We've redesigned our set to separate the contestants and myself a little bit more from them. So we are taking all kinds of precautions. Our testing procedure now is done online."

They've also considered cutting back on the number of episodes to be filmed in the event that it's too much for Trebek.

However it happens, the host is excited to return to the lectern.

"It's the best kind of reality television I feel. And people watch it, and if they come up with one or two correct responses in that half hour, they feel pretty good about themselves."

"And that's great."