Aaron Rodgers scores ratings win for 'Jeopardy!' during first week as guest host
Kendra MeinertAaron Rodgers in a suit and tie on a Wednesday is good for TV ratings not unlike Aaron Rodgers in a Green Bay Packers uniform on a Sunday.
Ratings for “Jeopardy!” during his first week as guest host spiked 14% from the previous week, according to TV broadcasting site TVNewsCheck.
The Packers quarterback led the iconic game show to a No. 1 finish on the syndication chart for the period ending April 11 with a 5.6 live-plus-same-day national Nielsen rating, ahead of “Family Feud” (5.2 share) and “Wheel of Fortune” (5.1 share), TVNewsCheck reported.
A share is the percentage of households who are watching a TV at that time and are tuned into a given program. A live-plus-same-day rating includes both live viewing from the previous night and delayed viewing until 3 a.m. local time.
The jump in ratings with Rodgers at the podium for shows April 5-9 was the best performance by “Jeopardy!” in a month, according to TVNewsCheck. The increase in viewership follows the two weeks hosted by Dr. Mehmet Oz, who was widely panned as guest host. Katie Couric hosted the two weeks prior to Oz.
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As the lineup of guest hosts continues in coming months, ratings are almost certain to be a factor in determining a permanent replacement for legendary host Alex Trebek, who died in November of pancreatic cancer. The bump is a plus for Rodgers, who prepared extensively to host, did a good many interviews and social media posts to encourage people to watch and has said he would like the job full-time.
“Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards and Ken Jennings, the show’s all-time champ, were the first two guest hosts to step in this year. Anderson Cooper began his two-week stint on Monday. Bill Whitaker, Buzzy Cohen (for Tournament of Champions), Mayim Bailik, Savannah Guthrie and Dr. Sanjay Gupta have also been confirmed to host.
The New York Post recently reported sportscaster Joe Buck will also take a turn, but “Jeopardy!” has yet to make that announcement.
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