CNN's Laura Coates Claims She Was Snubbed as 'Jeopardy!' Host Despite Support from Alex Trebek

Laura Coatesis opening up about her interest in hostingJeopardy!— and why it didn’t work out.

In conversation withTamron Hallon the host’s talk show Monday, the CNN senior legal analyst, 41, claimed she was slighted after pursuing the opportunity to potentially host the game show afterAlex Trebek’s death, even though the beloved presenter hadproposed her as a successor.

Admitting she was “shocked” that she caught Trebek’s attention as a possible pick, as the two had never met, Coates called herself “a lifelong fan ofJeopardy!“and said she was flatteredwhen he named herin a 2018 interview withTMZon possible future replacements. In November 2020, Trebekdiedat age 80 following a battle with pancreatic cancer.

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“And I asked for the opportunity. I was told ‘no,’ which is one of those moments when you have to remember to wear your own jersey,” she continued. “You have to remember to continue to be your own champion in other respects and sometimes the vision that you have for yourself — or those that surprise you, other people — don’t align with what happens, and that happened there.”

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Continuing, the attorney and SiriusXM host joked, “But I tell you, with the work I do now, do you know how much easier my life would be if I had the answers in advance?”

Two years before he died, Trebrek spoke about two people he thought would make goodJeopardy!hosts (neither suggestion ended up being part of therotation of interim hosts) while producers searched for a permanent replacement.

During a2018 interview, TMZ’s Harvey Levin asked Trebek, “Who would be a good solid host of the show if you retired?”

When Levin asked, “What about a woman?” Trebek replied, “There is an attorney, Laura Coates, she’s African American and she appears on some of the cable news shows from time to time.”

Jeopardy!producerMike Richardswas originally named as the permanent host in August butstepped downamid a series of scandals.Mayim BialikandJeopardy!champKen Jenningsare splitting hosting duties for the remainder of season 38.

A spokesperson forJeopardy!did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.

source: people.com