“Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards could be the next permanent host of the iconic television game show, Variety reports.

Richards is reportedly in advanced negotiations to take on the role as the show’s leading man, a position formerly filled by the late Alex Trebek.

Trebek, who hosted “Jeopardy!” for almost four decades, died in November, more than a year after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Those who have guest-hosted the quiz show since Trebek’s passing include LeVar Burton, the former host of “Reading Rainbow” and a star of “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” “Good Morning America” anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, CNBC host David Faber and sportscaster Joe Buck.

A Sony Pictures spokesman told Variety that several potential candidates were still in the running to fill the permanent slot, and did not comment on Richards’s chances. An insider told the outlet that Richards is currently the top candidate for the job, however, and that Sony Pictures values his deep understanding of the game and natural on-air ability.

Before taking the “Jeopardy!” executive producing gig last year, Richards hosted the series “Divided” and “The Pyramid” for Sony Pictures’s GSN cabler. In the past, he hosted non-Sony Pictures shows as well, including The CW’s “Beauty and the Geek,” notes Variety.

Sony Pictures did not immediately respond to The Hill’s request for comment.