David Faber made his debut as the new part-time host of Jeopardy! Monday night and viewers have been rating his performance on social media.
The long-running TV game show has recently featured a range of guest hosts including Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers, Bill Whitaker, Mayim Bialik and Anderson Cooper. They've been filling in for the late, great Alex Trebek after he died in November 2020.
Faber, who is known as a financial journalist and host of the CNBC morning show Squawk on the Street, is the latest guest host and his performance was quickly judged after his appearance in last night's edition of the show.
What the viewers said about Dan Faber on Jeopardy!
Before ranking his skills as a game show host, some viewers expressed their confusion at seeing Faber behind the podium on Jeopardy!.
@Phil_Lemos wished him well ahead of his debut saying "Not too familiar with David Faber, but good luck to him this week."
@RadioFreeTom, a contributor for The Atlantic, said: "I don't know who this guy is hosting Jeopardy, but I kind of like him."
@VeryLinzy appeared impressed with the unfamiliar host too. "Tuned in late. I have no idea who David Faber is but he has a kind face," she said.
Once he got going, Faber seemed to hit the ground running and many Twitter users commented to say he was a natural fit in the role.
@Lillolee said: "He definitely did a great job on night one. It's taken some of the hosts a few nights to find their groove."
One viewer was so delighted by Faber's performance after one episode, she thinks he could be the new permanent host. @Berrysue1 said: "David Faber should be the new host! He perfectly embodies what a host needs to follow Alex Trebek."
American music critic for NPR, Ken Tucker wrote on Twitter: "Well pshaw. On the basis of one night, I'm v surprised to find myself saying that @davidfaber is already a Top 5 @Jeopardy sub host."
The high praise kept on coming for Faber, with dozens of Jeopardy! viewers complimenting his debut appearance.
What did David Faber say about appearing on Jeopardy!?
Hours before his first episode aired, financial journalist Faber shared a behind-the-scenes image online. He revealed how he received a last minute pep talk from the executive producer Mike Richards but assured his followers that he was humbled and excited to host Jeopardy! for the week.
Yes, those are the clues in my hand as EP @MRichTV gives me a last minute pep talk. Humbled and excited to deliver those clues this week on @Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/jFD5zaTLs1
— David Faber (@davidfaber) August 2, 2021
Previewing his performance on the Jeopardy! YouTube channel before he appeared on television, Faber admitted he wanted to establish a rhythm, and to ensure the show and his technique was good for the contestants.
He said: "They show up here, and this is an awfully important day for them, and I didn't want to disappoint them. That in many ways was my paramount concern."
Faber revealed he watched a lot of Alex Trebek as host to help him prepare for his stint as host. Sharing his favorite memory of the former host, he said: "You know I was a contestant on Celebrity Jeopardy! and I thankfully won. He [Alex] did come over and chat with us and sort of help us understand what had just happened and discussed the game with us.
"But really what I have done is studied him in part to try to get ready for this, and so I feel actually closer to him from having done that and watched just what a master he was. You can't fully appreciate it until you actually think about trying to do it, and then try to actually do it. Oh my god, I don't know how he did it," he said.
Faber will appear as the guest host on Jeopardy! each evening this week, with his final performance scheduled to be on Friday, August 6, 2021.
Next week from Monday, August 9, sports presenter Joe Buck is scheduled to take over the role until Friday, August 13.
The next permanent host of Jeopardy! has yet to be announced but is expected to be revealed soon.
