Matt Lauer on Jeopardy? "Today Show" Host and Anderson Cooper 'Favorites' to Replace Alex Trebek after 2016 Game Show Retirement

Rumors have it that "beleaguered" host of NBC's "The Today Show" Matt Lauer is amongst one of the "favorites" to replace Alex Trebek on the hit trivia game show "Jeopardy." Trebek is expected to retire from his longstanding position in 2016... Lauer's contract with the popular morning news show only goes through 2015, which potentially makes him available for the hosting gig. According to inside sources for the New York Post, Sony Pictures Television is also strongly considering CNN's Anderson Cooper for the replacement.

The Post insists that Lauer's days with "The Today Show" are most likely coming to an end soon... the network allegedly "blames" him for lower ratings.  Lauer is not expected to re-sign with "Today" when his $25-million-a-year deal expires in 2015. Which is just around the time Trebek plans on ending his three-decade long career with "Jeopardy." What a coincidence!

Trebek (who suffered his second heart attack last summer) once told reporters that he planned on retiring this season. But producers at Sony needed time to find a new face for the next generation of "Jeopardy," so Trebek signed on for another three-year contract (he'll be 76 when - and if - he decides to officially retire).

Several inside sources claim that Lauer and popular anchorman Cooper are both being strongly considered for the hosting position. It remains unknown if Sony has yet to approach Lauer or his long-time agent, Ken Lindner. Spokespersons for both Lauer and "Jeopardy" declined to comment on the rumors.

But according to the Post, Cooper is aware "Jeopardy" might want to talk and "he likes the idea."

Still, 2016 is still a few years away, and a lot and change by then. Allegedly, final decisions won't be made until at least another year-and-a-half.

"In this business, that's a lifetime," one insider familiar with the production muses.