Jeopardy! Reveals Why Mayim Bialik Was Dropped as Host — Read Statement
Mayim Bialik was let go as Jeopardy! host because Sony wanted to “maintain continuity for our viewers.”
Hours after Bialik announced her ouster on social media, the studio behind the iconic game show released the following statement: “We made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers, and Ken Jennings will be the sole host for syndicated Jeopardy!. We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials.”
Bialik’s Instagram post also specifically noted that she was relieved of her job on the syndicated iteration of the show, opening the door to the possibility of her returning to helm one of ABC’s myriad primetime iterations.
“As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” Bialik’s Friday evening post began. “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy! I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Jeopardy! family. For all of you who have supported me through this incredible journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff and crew of America’s Favorite Quiz Show, thank you.”
Bialik had been MIA from Jeopardy! since last May, when she abruptly bowed out of Season 39’s final weeks in a public display of solidarity with the show’s striking writers, leading Jennings to step in and close out the season.
As the Big Bang Theory vet’s absence dragged on through the summer, questions began to swirl around her future with the franchise. The speculation intensified on Aug. 18 when Jeopardy! released via its official social handles a new poster celebrating the syndicated show’s 39th season that featured Jennings but not Bialik. At the time, Sony declined to comment on the decision to exclude Bialik from the now-deleted artwork. Days later, ABC announced Jennings as the new primary host of primetime offshoot Celebrity Jeopardy!, replacing Bialik.
It was in Summer 2022 that Bialik was officially installed as co-host of Jeopardy!‘s syndicated version alongside Jennings. The pair’s ascension came after a chaotic year that saw the duo temporarily filling the void left by the late Alex Trebek’s original, short-lived successor, Mike Richards. The duo were expected to continue sharing emcee duties for the current 40th season.
I had a feeling that she was just let go from the Syndicated stuff not the Prime Time part
I like Mayim and hope she will continue to host Celebrity Jeopardy, the National College Championships, and the Professors Tournament.
As of today, it looks like she’s said no to any future involvement.
Glad they made a follow up statement! I hope she continues Celeb Jep, at least.
Well what else do we expect them to say, though? Nice bit of corporate-speak, that is.
They said on Facebook that she’d “made the decision to leave”. I said, “That’s not the story she’s telling!”
Exactly. They weren’t going to say “She wasn’t any better for the ratings and cost way more money.”
I no long watch the show. I do not like Ken Jennings at all.
Never liked her anyway I’m glad that she’s gone did not think she added anything. To show
Why, because she is Jewish?
Nope. We’d be overjoyed if Buzzy Cohen replaced her. It has nothing to do with her ethnicity, it’s her not fitting in that job.
Who?
Buzzy Cohen was one of the parade of potential hosts after Mike Richards’ ouster. He also hosted one of the tournaments, is part of the backstage roster and is currently one of the chasers on The Chase. He’s young, attractive and personable and would attract younger viewers.
Didn’t know she was thanks for the info
Hmm. Never knew she was Jewish but is it okay me being Jewish to say I don’t like her period. Unlike you I don’t like or dislike people bc of their heritage. I’m a Cajun Jew & absolutely ZERO people except my family know. You so stupid
Really? Stop it.
So Maggie, do you like her because she is Jewish? Jump to conclusions much?
I wish the same were true for you in the comment section. You bring zero to the table. You suck
I think the stated official reason that they wanted continuity for viewers makes enormous sense. Other quiz shows – like Wheel of Fortune – have one consistent host, and certainly Jeopardy has always just had one host at a time (originally Art Fleming, and then Alex Trebek when the show was revived). The idea of multiple hosts after Alex’s death was confusing and never made much sense, not to mention that it led inevitably to fans arguing over which host they liked better. I think making it official that Ken is the sole host will definitely enhance the stability of the show.
“Jeopardy has always just had one host at a time (originally Art Fleming, and then Alex Trebek when the show was revived).”
It was thus on The Price Is Right as well– first with Bill Cullen on NBC and ABC in the 50s and 60s (when the show was just about the bidding, with no pricing games), and then, as we’ve known it practically forever, w/the late, great Bob Barker from 1972-2007, and Drew Carey since then.
I only watched it when she was on, so I won’t miss it.
Boo. Sexism at it’s finest.
It could be any number of “isms”. I’m not even smart enough to watch Jeopardy so I’m good either way.
I doubt sexism had anything to do with it. The fact that she stood in solidarity with the writers and actors and would not host while the strikes were going on, was probably the biggest factor leading to her release.
You do know she is a writer so she would’ve been crossing the picket line had she hosted
I don’t think that’s accurate. She wasn’t a part of the Jeopardy writers’ room so she wouldn’t have been working as a writer on the show. The Actor’s strike wasn’t going at the time either so I believe she was in the clear to continue. She didn’t out of “solidarity” with the Jeopardy writers which is noble. I could be wrong though.
Thats what I think too.
I loved having her host and would delete the show when she wasn’t the host. I will now stop recording the show. I will be watching for the next show she is on. I have followed her and greatly admire her.
they replaced her with a scab enough said case closed.
I totally agree. Although continuity is critical for any TV show.
Sexism? She didn’t show up for work. She obviously cared more for the striking writers than for her own job, or else was so egotistical she thought she was important enough to get away with it.
Thank God! She was awful!
Yes! I hated watching when she was on.
I feel the same about reading your comments. You pretty much suck.
Jane, you post lots of hateful comments telling people they “suck.” A piece of advice: less posting on these stories, and more exercise and reading books. You’ll feel much better and will better be able to express yourself when you do post.
I loved her as host and I’m sad I’ll actually have to work to see her if I want now. But also, you can’t let your job know they can function without you. You gotta always give the illusion that everything would fall apart if you left. And that’s for any job.
It needs to be REAL! NO Illusions? But it takes years like 6-9 for that to happen. So.. you have to be around for the LONG HAUL
one was cheaper than the other. that’s it. though now that people know she’s not coming back, will that affect the amount of viewers? who knows.
Ken gives me the heebie Jeevies. I will follow her to her next project. Sorry she’s gone. Keep Ken.
Both Jeopardy and Wheel are on their way out. Seacrest is about as charming as mud fence and Jeopardy needs a host that I has a similar presence like Trebek.
I’m happy that Ryan will be hosting Wheel. I could do without Vanna.
I must admit I don’t regularly watch Jeopardy. But I don’t like Ken Jennings. He looks too scared and his voice is just awful, Alex had a perfect moderator voice, not squeaky at all. I’m not saying Ken isn’t a genius, he’s just not a good tv host voiced person
I was skeptical of Jennings at first, for the same reason you cited: his voice was not sonorous. But on reflection, this is 2023 (about to become 2024), and entertainment paradigms have shifted radically.
Until Trebek, the main qualifications for game show hosts were a deep stereotypical announcer voice (actually, most hosts started in radio as announcers/newsreaders/DJ.), a photogenic face and the ability to fill out an otherwise empty suit. Trebek was anomaly: not just a great announcer voice but extremely intelligent, highly educated and knowledgeable (he personally vetted every clue for accuracy and sometimes corrected the writers before the clues aired). People tend to forget how dumbed-down game shows used to be, based on luck rather than skill, with the hosts outshining the contestantsa. Anyway, when I was a contestant in the ’90s (I lost, get that Weird Al song out of your system), we all got to hang out and converse with Trebek after the tapings. He was equally passionate about his hobbies (especially his winery), literacy and educational opportunities for all: he donated and autographed merch for my son’s school fundraiser auction.
I’ve grown to really like Jennings–he is personable, polite, totally unpretentious, thinks on his feet and has a wickedly sharp sense of humor. I got the sense that he, and not Richards, was Alex’s choice to succeed him. I find him witty and entertaining, not at all smug or condescending.
Bialik didn’t have an “announcer” voice, but she sometimes wore her PhD in neuroscience on her sleeve–too often, she’d boast about knowing the answers to clues that stumped the contestants, even elaborating on how she knew. She grew to remind me of the annoying kid in class who always raised their hand for every question the teacher would ask and was smug as hell about being correct. (I know because I used to be that annoying kid).
Now you got me singing that song in my head…thanks.
She was a great host with such
exceptional intelligence with a pleasant fun personality, i loved her in her blossom days, i grew up watching her, she will do good anywhere she is really close to the heart, sad to see her go, she got my attention, dont know why they let her go, i wont be watching that show no longer😔
The show wil be much better without her.
The comment section would be much better without you. Keep your stupidity to yourself please.
Again Jane – less insults, and more exercise and reading. You’ll come across as much less pathetic.
Why u call everyone stupid. Is that all ur small mind can think of, but I know the real reason why.
they should have just been open about it from the beginning instead of being all weird and cryptic for months. it wasn’t fair to us the viewers or to Mayim and Ken.
I really like Ken and the main host. He’s witty, funny and genuine. I’m glad that Mayim won’t be completely gone, but available for prime time stuff and/or subbing for Ken. Jeopardy finally feels normal and comfortable again. I love the show and hope it will go on for a long time. I’m relieved it wasn’t messed up in a PC rush.
He’s awful!
Sony finally got it right. Her attempts at her hidden aggression towards the contestants had to stop.
Hidden aggression? seems that is in your head…in a way that you have hidden aggression against her…please get help…you are sick.
Now she can do the things that we love her doing, the things in which she excels.
If you are confused by two different hosts, maybe you shouldn’t be watching a quiz show. What an asinine statement. It’s probably because she is Jewish.
I doubt that. If antisemitism were responsible, why would so many of us want Buzzy Cohen to co-host?
I really liked her and she made a nice change to the show. going to miss her I think they made a big error in letting her go
Sorry to see her go. Ken Jennings has the personality of a warthog
I prefer Ken.
Due to her other commitments, there would be times that she could not serve as host. I like the idea of just having one host like Jennings for consistency’s sake.