To the dilemma of who gets to host the game show, “Jeopardy!” is providing itself with two answers: Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings.
Since Mike Richards abruptly left the programme amid controversy following a brief stint in the role of the late Alex Trebek’s replacement, Bialik and Jennings have been acting as alternating hosts.
In a statement published online on Wednesday, executive producer Michael Davies stated that agreements had been reached with Bialik and Jennings “to remain the hosts of Jeopardy! moving forward.”
We have two excellent hosts at the start of their Jeopardy! in Mayim and Ken.
The typical Jeopardy! viewer as well as their own distinct fanbases of viewers, new followers, and hosts,” Davies added in the announcement.
Former “Jeopardy!” winner Jennings and actress Bialik (from “The Big Bang Theory,” “Call Me Kat”) were a few of the substitute hosts who took over after Trebek passed away from cancer in 2020.
The stints were viewed as tryouts, but last summer the job unexpectedly went to the then-executive producer Richards.
Simultaneously, Sony’s “Jeopardy!” studio gave Bialik a role as host for the program’s prime-time and spinoff series, which included a new college championship.
It was perceived in part as an effort to appease supporters who griped that the job was Richards’ all along and that the succession of guest hosts appeared to be a publicity hoax.
But after a podcast listener complained about Richards’ earlier careless and insulting statements, he was abruptly fired from the programme.
As their schedules permitted, Jennings and Bialik stepped in to take turns hosting the show.
When the next season of the show premieres in September, Davies outlined the specifics of the job-sharing arrangement.
The season will begin with Jennings, a “Jeopardy!” consulting producer, hosting the Tournament of Champions, which has previously been won by Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach, and Ryan Long.
Bialik will host “Celebrity Jeopardy!” on ABC in prime time during that time.
The current intention is to have her host a few additional tournaments in addition to the Jeopardy! National College Championship and anything else her commitment to “Call Me Kat” will allow for with Jeopardy when she succeeds Ken in January. said Davies.
We won’t switch the hosts frequently since we know you appreciate stability, and we’ll keep you updated on the schedule, he said.
Trebek, who presided over “Jeopardy!” for 37 seasons, brought the game show notable stability.
Bialik and Jennings “enjoy and cherish this institution of a television programme,” according to Davies.