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Katie Couric makes history in debut as first-ever female 'Jeopardy!' host

Katie Couric began her two-week run guest-hosting Jeopardy!, at the same time making history as she became the first woman ever to host the show, and it happened to be on International Women’s Day. The Today show’s Savannah Guthrie and The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik are also slated to fill the shoes of the late, great Alex Trebek, though the exact dates are yet to be determined. Couric kicked off her first show with a shout out to Trebek and a special announcement.

“It is such a thrill to be here guest hosting a show I've watched and loved for years. And of course a real honor to help out as all of us recover from the loss of the truly irreplaceable Alex Trebek,” Couric said. “Jeopardy! will be matching the winnings from each show I guest host and donating that amount to the pancreatic cancer dream team from Stand Up To Cancer. So thank you, Jeopardy!. Now let's have some fun.”

Video transcript

KATIE COURIC: Welcome to "Jeopardy," everyone. It is such a thrill to be here guest hosting a show I've watched and loved for years. And of course, a real honor to help out as all of us recover from the loss of the truly irreplaceable Alex Trebek.

KYLIE MAR: Katie Couric began her two-week run guest hosting "Jeopardy" on Monday, at the same time making history as she became the first woman ever to host the show. "The Today Show's" Savannah Guthrie and "The Big Bang Theory's" Mayim Bialik are also slated to fill the shoes of the late great Alex Trebek, though the exact dates are yet to be determined. Couric kicked off her first show with a special announcement.

KATIE COURIC: "Jeopardy" will be matching the winnings from each show I guest host and donating that amount to the Pancreatic Cancer Dream Team from Stand Up to Cancer. So thank you "Jeopardy."

[APPLAUSE]

Now let's have some fun. Are you ready, contestants? Let's do this thing. Here we go.

KYLIE MAR: Viewers were elated to find Couric began her run on International Women's Day. One viewer tweeted, Katie Couric hosting "Jeopardy" is satisfying, because finally, a woman is paid to "well, actually" a group of men. While another wrote, it feels "correct" that the first ever woman guest host of Jeopardy Katie Couric's first episode premieres on International Women's Day. And the only woman playing came away with another "Jeopardy" victory.

KATIE COURIC: Congratulations. Thank you all so much. And because of your great playing, we are able to donate $26,201 to Stand Up to Cancer. So thank you "Jeopardy." We'll see you tomorrow, everyone.