Alex Trebek proved his enduring appeal with viewers across the nation as Jeopardy! came in first place in the ratings during its final week with the late host.
Trebek’s final episode, broadcast on Friday, January 8, garnered a stunning 14 million viewers, according to Deadline.
The early January string of episodes marks the final batch that the beloved host filmed shortly before his death from pancreatic cancer on November 8, 2020, at age 80.
Going out on top: Jeopardy! was the highest rating syndicated show the week of January 4 as it aired Alex Trebek’s final episodes filmed before his November 8 death at age 80 from pancreatic cancer; Trebek seen on his final episode from January 8
Jeopardy! beat out all other syndicated television shows for the week of January 4 as viewers bid farewell to the long-running host.
It was the most-watched week of this season, attracting 11.1 million total viewers, which factors in both people who watched the episodes live and other who rewatched them within the same day.
The show also earned a 6.6 household rating, which was a 29 percent increase from the previous week.
The last time Jeopardy! beat its most recent ratings was in the week of April 27, 2020.
Stunning viewership: Trebek’s final episode from Friday, November 8, garnered 14 million viewers, making it the second-highest rated individual show that week
Big draw: The week of January 4 had the best Jeopardy! viewership since the week of April 27, 2020, and the final episode with Trebek was the highest rated since June 3, 2019
Trebek’s final show from January 8 had 14 million viewers and an 8.1 household rating, making it his most popular episode since June 3, 2019.
That earlier show marked the end of James Holzhauer’s length run as a champion.
The host’s final Friday telecast and three other Jeopardy! episodes from that week rounded out the top five television events, only running behind 60 Minutes 14.6 million viewership, which was boosted by its football lead-in.
The episode from Wednesday, January 6 fell to seventh place among the top episodes, as 25 percent of stations cut away from the broadcast to run coverage of the deadly storming of the Capitol Building that day by a mob of pro-Trump insurrectionists.
Honoring him: Earlier this month, fans started a petition to rename Jeopardy’s stage at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, after Trebek
Earlier this month, Jeopardy! fans started a petition to rename Stage 10 at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, where the show is filmed, after Trebek.
Following the prolific game-show host’s death, Jeopardy! has been hosted by a revolving cast of guests.
Following Trebek’s death, former Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings began filming episodes on November 30.
Jennings has been among the top figures being considered to replace Trebek, though he avoided any public lobbying for the job.
New faces: Former Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings began filming episodes in late November. He’s the first person to guest host since the host’s death
The show’s executive producer Mike Richards said Trebek had ‘mentioned a couple of names but he wanted to stay out of that,’ as ‘no one is going to replace him, and he knew that.’
Richards will be helming the series for a few weeks after Jennings’ run to give the upcoming hosts time to ‘prepare for their appearances.’
Among those filling in for the late Trebek will be The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik, 60 Minutes’ Bill Whitaker and Katie Couric.
Last week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed he would also be guest hosting Jeopardy!
Has history: Last week, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers revealed he would also be guest hosting Jeopardy! He previously competed on a 2015 episode