Anderson Cooper Draws Lowest Ratings as 'Jeopardy!' Guest Host

Out CNN news anchor Anderson Cooper is a stalwart presence on the airwaves when it comes to his own new show, but he's no Alex Trebeck.

That's according to the ratings data, now available for Cooper's April 19 debut on the popular quiz show, which reveal Cooper to have been the lowest ratings draw so far.

"He's a CNN host and silver fox who shouldn't quit his day job," cracked Entertainment Weekly. "Who is Anderson Cooper?"

Entertainment site The Wrap noted that Cooper's debut episode garnered only a 5.1 rating, which "was just below Dr. Oz's 5.2 rating for his debut week, which had been the previous low for a 'Jeopardy!' guest host."

The Wrap attributed the slump in part to timing, noting that Cooper directly followed the April 5 - 16 guest hosting stint of Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rogers, who "began his run with a 5.6; his second week drew a 5.5 rating." Another factor might have been audience attention being diverted to the Derek Chauvin trial, which was televised the same week.

At least Cooper has one diehard fan who will follow him anywhere: Son Wyatt tuned in, as EDGE reported at the time.

Cooper's run on the show ended April 30.

Cooper is not the only television journalist lined up for a guest host gig on the show. The upcoming slate is sprinkled with news personalities, The Wrap noted, listing scheduled stints by " '60 Minutes' veteran Bill Whitaker, former contestant Buzzy Cohen, Mayim Bialik, "Today" co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, CNN's Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Fox sportscaster Joe Buck, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, David Faber and LeVar Burton."

Katie Couric hosted, also, her run lasting from March 9 - 19.

Longtime "Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebeck died last November 8 at the age of 80. His final "Jeopardy!" episode aired Jan. 8 and commanded a huge audience of 14 million viewers, The Wrap recalled.