Editorial

‘Jeopardy!’ Forced To Show Reruns Due To Coronavirus Pandemic Shutdown

(Credit: YouTube Screenshot Jeopardy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7cInGyxCY9k&t=2s)

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“Jeopardy!” has run out of new episodes to air amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The show will now move to airing reruns during the summer, according to a report published Saturday by The Wrap.

Reruns from past championships will begin to air on June 15 and reruns from last year’s “Tournament Of Champions” will air in July. Production for the show originally shut down in March, but there were enough filmed new episodes to share for the past two months.

“Jeopardy!” is struggling to find ways to film amid the pandemic because auditions for the show take place in-person. The show hasn’t had any in-person auditions, therefore there are no current contestants to film with, The Wrap reported.

The show has created an at-home process that begins with potential contestants taking qualifying tests from their home. (RELATED: REPORT: Alex Trebek Has No Plans To Quit ‘Jeopardy!’ Amid Pancreatic Cancer Battle)

“We take the well-being of our staff, crew, contestants, audience guests and host very seriously, and will not resume taping until it is completely safe,” the show said in a statement on May 20. “Similarly, all previously scheduled contestant searches have been postponed. We will not resume contestant tryouts until it is safe to do so.”

It’s good that “Jeopardy!” is being safe about this. Host Alex Trebek needs to be protected because of his health and it’s not that bad watching “Jeopardy!” reruns. There’s so many episodes that it’s so easy to forget if you’ve seen the one you’re watching before.