Is David Faber Leaving ‘Squawk on the Street’? Jeopardy Gig Explained
David Faber isn't leaving "Squawk on the Street." Learn more about the CNBC anchor’s gig guest-hosting the game show "Jeopardy!" in Alex Trebek’s place.
Aug. 9 2021, Published 12:20 p.m. ET
Relax, CNBC fans. There isn't any indication that David Faber is leaving Squawk on the Street. He was just filling in as guest host for Jeopardy! from Aug. 2–Aug. 6. CNBC still lists him as the co-anchor of Squawk on the Street and the anchor and co-producer of the channel’s original documentaries and long-form programming.
Faber stepped in as one of Jeopardy! Season 37’s guest hosts. They took turns at the lectern after the death of longtime host Alex Trebek.
The other notables who emceed the show this season are Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings, executive producer Mike Richards, journalist Katie Couric, TV doctor Mehmet Oz, NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, CNN host Anderson Cooper, CBS News reporter Bill Whitaker, Jeopardy! champ Buzzy Cohen, actress Mayim Bialik, TODAY co-anchor Savannah Guthrie, CNN medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, Good Morning America co-anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, actor LeVar Burton, and sportscaster Joe Buck.
Faber “didn’t want to disappoint” the contestants.
In a behind-the-scenes video, Faber said he wanted to be “really good” as Jeopardy! guest host. “I wanted to establish a rhythm. I wanted to be good for the contestants … because I feel like, they show up here, this is an awfully important day for them, and I didn’t want to disappoint them.”
The 57-year-old said that he and his friends—including some of his CNBC colleagues—held practice games so he would be prepared. Even with those dry runs though, Faber said that it was “not easy” to host the show. “But that’s fun, right?” he added. “That’s part of life. If you get an opportunity like that, you gotta take it, and I was so happy to be given the chance.”
Faber was initially nervous when he started guest-hosting "Jeopardy!"
Faber made his Jeopardy! hosting debut on the syndicated show on Aug. 2 with his run on the show supporting Robin Hood—New York City’s largest poverty-fighting organization.
“I was [nervous], certainly the first time,” he said in the behind-the-scenes interview. “I don’t get nervous in front of a TV camera anymore. Maybe for a sit-down with the president or something like that. But I definitely was feeling the nerves, initially, because it’s new, and something new always sorta gets you going.”
Faber would take on the "Jeopardy!" job full-time if he received an offer.
In an interview with Newsweek published on Aug. 6, Faber said that he would likely agree to host Jeopardy! full-time if he was asked. (He also referred to his CNBC work as his “day job.”)
He said, “If they were to offer me the job I think I would say yes, but I think it’s highly unlikely at this point. I’m really just thrilled to have had the chance to host five shows. And if that’s all I ever get, that’s certainly more than most.”
As Faber neared the end of his Jeopardy! run, Variety reported that Sony Pictures Television was in advanced negotiations with Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards to become the host of the show.
“My experience with him was as the executive producer and he was great,” Faber told Newsweek. “He was exactly what you’d want from an EP. He was on top of everything. He was encouraging. I felt like he filled me in on everything I needed to know to do the best job I could.”