Mayim Bialik And Ken Jennings Will Stay On As Co-Hosts Of “Jeopardy!”

July 26, 2022 / Posted by:

Since the sad passing of former long-time Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek in 2020, it was obvious that the show would never quite be the same. His distinguished silver hair and propensity to deliver lite sick burns to contestants remained unmatched by any of the sometimes tough-to-watch revolving door of guest hosts that tried their hand at the gig–like NFL player/master virologist Aaron Rodgers and especially Dr. Mehmet Oz. Being an unimpressive game show host and an unimpressive senate hopeful all within such a short period of time? Impressive. LeVar Burton was a fan pick, but decided that the Jeopardy! life wasn’t for him. The show finally gained some temporary stability once Mayim Bialik was given the job of permanent co-host, and Ken Jennings the job of substitute co-host after show executive producer Mike Richards was hired then quickly backed away from his hosting duties on his first day on the job for it being exposed that he’s a certified asshole. Show fans that have been waiting on an announcement of who the permanent hosts will be can most likely get off the edge of their seats now since Mayim and Ken are rumored to have been chosen as the permanent readers of clues. 

Deadline reports that although Sony Pictures TV has so far declined to comment, Mayim and Ken are super close to securing those hefty syndicated show bags:

Jeopardy! would be sticking with its two-host formula. According to sources, Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings are finalizing deals to continue to share hosting duties on the venerable syndicated game show’s upcoming Season 39. A source for Sony Pictures TV, which produces Jeopardy! would not comment on speculation.

Bialik, who previously was announced as host of the Jeopardy! primetime and spinoff series, and former Jeopardy! champion Jennings had been filling in as guest hosts of the mothership syndicated program following the abrupt exit of Mike Richards as host in August after one day of tapings. The two were subsequently named full-time hosts for the remainder of Season 38. The pairing seemed to work well, and was well received by fans.

Jeopardy! recently landed its third consecutive Outstanding Game Show Daytime Emmy Award. The eligibility period spanned the final episodes hosted by the late Alex Trebek as well as Bialik and Jennings’ tenures.

A permanent two-host format was landed on since Mayim is so hot right now. It was rumored that the showrunners just wanted her to be THEE host, but she’s too busy with starring in and producing her Fox show Call Me Kat, her mental health podcast, Mayim Bialik’s Breakdown, hosting the Celebrity Jeopardy! shows, hawking questionable brain supplements, and writing and directing her first film, As They Made Us; so she couldn’t commit to the full Trebek schedule. Since she can’t be in five places at once, Ken will be there to pick up the slack. He’s no slouch himself–he’s an author, is on a podcast with that evil Bean Dad, dabbles in other hosting gigs, and as a Jeopardy! contestant, won 74 consecutive shows and collected a boatload of money. 

I’m sure Mayim backing away from her prior anti-vaxx stance and Ken apologizing for and deleting past tweets, including one about hot people in wheelchairs, also helped their case. Finding fully unproblematic people who don’t say dumb shit these days must be a task. Let’s hope that Mayim and Ken remain scandal-free for at least a while, because my heart can’t handle another stint of unsavory guest hosts. I still haven’t gotten over The Price is Right not being hosted by Bob Barker anymore–staying at home “sick” has never felt quite right since Drew Carey took over (although that could be because my fake coughing skills peaked at 11 years old), and Jeopardy! won’t feel right as I’m snacking on my night cheese either if I have to look at Oz’s smug grin again. You know that trick didn’t know a single one of those damn answers on the cards.

Pic: Sara De Boer/startraksphoto.com/Famous/ACE PICTURES/INSTARimages.com

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