Jeopardy! is on a hot streak, and ABC is ready to get behind it full-tilt. How? By bringing back the trio at the center of the Tournament of Champions -- aka the “Greatest of All Time” (GOAT) tournament -- for another show. In one of the most anticipated showdowns on television, Jeopardy!’s most celebrated players are facing off in a special primetime competition.
Among those to return are mega-champ James Holzhauer and Ken Jennings. The two of them are squaring off in the “Greatest of All Time” tournament with the record total winnings holder, Brad Rutter. If you think that the success of the primetime tourney has escaped ABC, do not worry. It has not!
Raunchy jokes followed the most recent episode in the special Jeopardy! event, as all eyes wait to see who will win the GOAT tournament. Is this the last viewers will see of James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter together on television? Or is it the start of something? Weighing in on a potential follow-up show starring the trio, ABC’s head of alternative programming, Robert Mills, told Deadline:
Whether it’s something with Jeopardy! or not, certainly I would argue these three guys are the biggest stars in primetime right now. Is there a different game? I don’t know. But you can’t look at this and not acknowledge the impact that they have had over the 20 years and this past week without saying, ‘OK. how do we tap into it’.
What is “this seems hopeful” for $200? It sounds like ABC is turning its gears to come up with something that could incorporate the GOAT trio. The network is clearly aware of the success that James Holzhauer, Ken Jennings, and Brad Rutter’s run on the “Greatest of All Time” tournament has had for the series.
The good news for fans is that ABC seems ready to capitalize on the success of the tournament. Ratings clearly tell the tale, which has led some to wonder if primetime Jeopardy! could become a regular thing. Hence, there is one burning question that may be accompanying hopes regarding Jeopardy!’s terrific trio.
Is a follow-up going to happen? ABC is motivated. While acknowledging that there have not been any formal conversations around a GOAT trio follow-up, ABC's Robert Mills said something has to happen. On what comes next for the Jeopardy! trio, Mills said:
…when you look at (the success of the primetime specials), you say, we have got to do something, something that taps into what these guys are.
What will it end up being? Curious minds will have to stay tuned. A Jeopardy! adjacent show that has them competing for glory long-term does not seem entirely realistic, in my opinion. ABC is undoubtedly brainstorming something around them. There is too much opportunity at stake not to. Look at the success of the currently airing GOAT tournament!
A venture that has led to an exciting time for Jeopardy! fans as Ken Jennings' preparation for facing off with James Holzhauer has gone into action. Viewers have even gotten to see Jennings try Holzhauer’s strategy during the GOAT tournament. It is a great time to be alive as Brad Rutter also gets a chance to enjoy the limelight.
The Jeopardy! "Greatest of All Time" tournament continues on Tuesday, January 14, at 8 p.m. ET on ABC as one of this winter’s premieres. You can relive past matches of the popular quiz show on Netflix, among other new 2020 content.
