As the NFL continues to expand, so do the profiles of those who call the games. Instead of being the backdrop and background noise, these voices continue to carve a niche for themselves. People will voice their opinions regarding them and their careers. As a result, when one undertakes a bold move, social media will check in with their feelings.
Joe Buck Gearing Up To Become Host of ESPN Jeopardy Game Show
Since 1994, Buck has found himself around the NFL. While he was the longtime play-by-play voice of national baseball broadcasts, Monday Night Football is what he is best known for today.
According to reports, Buck is “closing in on a deal” to become the host of ESPN Jeopardy, which is based on the classic, still-running quiz show of the same name. The reaction to the announcement appears somewhat mixed.
“This project just screams “Unbearable,” wrote Joe Bucs Fan on X, who covers the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. “As is far worse than most of BSPN’s non-football content. It really is an “Onion” story or a “Saturday Night Live” skit come to real life.”
This project just *screams* “Unbearable.” As is far worse than most of BSPN’s non-football content. It really is an “Onion” story or a “Saturday Night Live” skit come to real life. https://t.co/bbocfJ8gUU
— JoeBucsFan (@JoeBucsFan) April 21, 2026
From the outset, this comment manages to chide ESPN and Buck simultaneously, likening it to a sketch from either a comedy show or a satirical website. Under those circumstances, Buck may have a tough time winning fans over with the show. On the other hand, not everything is negative, as praise was given to the play-by-play commentator.
“Joe Buck was legitimately one of the best guest hosts on Jeopardy when they tried out a ton of people after Alex Trebek died. Maybe even the best one,” Mitch Goldich wrote. “This is a take I have been holding onto for a long time.”
For 36 years, Trebek hosted Jeopardy until his death on November 8, 2020. Buck served as a guest host as the producers attempted to find a permanent host. At the same time, a contingent hopes that the taping, which could occur in Los Angeles, prevents Buck from traveling during the NFL season.
If this is true…I’ll be happy to call Monday Night Football in his place. Btw…I’m still waiting to be a fill in emcee on The Price Is Right. https://t.co/clYMI0V4to
— Matt Thomas (@SportsMT) April 21, 2026
This is not Buck’s first foray outside of calling games. In 2009, he hosted “Joe Buck Live,” an HBO talk show that centered on sports. The show lasted three episodes and drew criticism for Buck’s attempts at banter with guests.
“Oh boy, another vehicle for Buck to have bad one-liners fall flat but still stare at the camera with a gee-I’m-so-smart smirk on his face,” Joe Bucs Fan wrote in another post about Buck. “Another way to prove he’s not Steven Wright. When he drops the schtick he’s an excellent broadcaster but he wants to be Letterman so bad.”
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Buck’s version of a sports-related “Jeopardy” show will not be the first. From 2014 to 2016, over 116 episodes, former ESPN anchor Dan Patrick hosted “Sports Jeopardy” on the Crackle Network, and people did not forget.
Praying for you @dpshow https://t.co/glO4ZNxjgX
— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) April 21, 2026
A few remembered Patrick’s efforts.
Are we as a society just pretending that Sports Jeopardy hosted by Dan Patrick didn’t exist https://t.co/J7OZAF8ksS
— Rob Usry (@RobUsry) April 21, 2026
While many offered wordy explanations, others kept it brief, which may not bode well for the show’s longevity. “No thanks,” wrote CFB Home in response to Buck potentially getting to host ESPN Jeopardy.
While the details are being released, Buck finds himself caught between two groups: those who like his style and those who decidedly don’t.
