What is ‘second career’?
‘Jeopardy!’ producer touts Rodgers’ poise
As the second and final week of Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ run as a guest host of the TV quiz show “Jeopardy!” is set to start, the show’s executive producer had high praise about the passer’s poise behind the podium.
“What I find fascinating about Aaron is his second career could be better than his first,” executive producer Mike Richards told NBC Sports in an interview.
Rodgers is one of several guests who are hosting the show as it transitions to find a long-term replacement for Alex Trebek, who died in November at 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
Rodgers hasn’t shied away from his desire to become the show’s permanent host and said unequivocally that he would pursue the role.
“Hell yeah, I would,” Rodgers told USA TODAY in an interview when asked if he would take on the permanent job. “Look, it’s my second-brain job. I love the show and have a deep, deep affection for it. Not only is it a nostalgic connection to my childhood, but it’s a really special show to me and I had a great time with everybody that works there.”
Richards recalled Rodgers’ first episode. Despite having appeared on the show as a celebrity contestant in 2015 and winning that episode and having watched episodes to practice in preparation of his guest host duties, Richards said Rodgers was surprised by the pace once the cameras go live.
“The intensity goes up in the real game, which Aaron found out,” Richards said. “You can see, even with the second show, his voice got better, his command got better, he started to enjoy it and have fun. But the truth is, you never truly relax. You’ve got the open, introducing the categories, 15 questions, the short interviews with the players, 15 more questions, 30 questions in Double Jeopardy, sum up, introduce Final Jeopardy, then do that, and through it all, you’re the arbiter of every question.
“And, there’s no huddle.”
According to NBC Sports, Rodgers taped the 10 episodes over the course of three days, splitting the episodes and rehearsals within a tight window.
The episodes were filmed in mid-February.
“At the end of the three days, Aaron was exhausted,” Richards told NBC Sports. “But he was so complimentary to everyone in the studio and on the team. We were his offensive linemen for those three days. He treated us all so well. He hated to go, and we hated to see him go.”