`Jeopardy!' Begins New Season With Upgraded Set

CULVER CITY, CA — "Jeopardy!" begins its 37th season in syndication Monday with what is being billed as an upgraded set and a role for its greatest contestant Ken Jennings.

The stage at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City now allows for more space between the three contestants, with podiums set at a safe distance from host Alex Trebek at his lectern.

This is the show's first new set since its 30th season.

Production has protocols in place in accordance with government guidelines intended to protect contestants, staff, crew and talent from the spread of COVID-19.

"I feel good and I feel excited because once again `Jeopardy!' has demonstrated that it's at the forefront of television programming," said Trebek, who reported on July 16 he's "doing well" in his battle with pancreatic cancer.

"I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I'm excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis and I was missing that."

The industry-wide shutdown because of the coronavirus pandemic forced "Jeopardy!" to end taping for the 2019-20 season on March 11. It made 190 episodes for the season, 40 less than its usual order.

Jennings will be a consulting producer, presenting his own special video categories, developing projects, assisting with contestant outreach and serving as a general ambassador for the show. His first video category will air on Tuesday's episode.

"Jeopardy!" has a new executive producer, Mike Richards, who will also have the same role on "Wheel of Fortune."

Richards had been executive producer of "The Price Is Right" and "Let's Make a Deal." He succeeds the retired Harry Friedman, who had been "Jeopardy!'s" executive producer since 1997 and "Wheel of Fortune's" executive producer since 1995.

Monday's contestants include Franki Butler, a writer for the Netflix romantic drama "Sweet Magnolias," who lives in Los Angeles.

- City News Service