Tag Archives: Jeopardy

An executive producer is sharing behind-the-scenes info about the recent “Jeopardy!” hosting shake-up.

During the “Unscripted Storytellers” panel at the 2024 Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, Michael Davies, a showrunner with “Jeopardy!” spoke about the decision to let Mayim Bialik go and make Ken Jennings the sole host.

“When I took over the show, we were really forced into that situation from everything that happened before, the guest hosting period,” Davies said, per a report from People. “Mayim was left hosting the primetime versions; I brought in Ken to guest-host once Mayim had her schedule on her FOX sitcom [‘Call Me Kat’].”

He further explained that the decision was part of an overall desire for “consistency” for the game show.

‘JEOPARDY!’ HOST KEN JENNINGS…

Executive producer Michael Davies called Bialik a “superb host” — but said more “consistency” was needed on the show

The executive producer of Jeopardy! is opening up about the show’s recent host drama.

During the “Unscripted Storytellers” panel at the 2024 Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, showrunner Michael Davies reflected on the decision to make Ken Jennings the sole host — and oust Jennings’ former co-host Mayim Bialik.

“When I took over the show, we were really forced into that situation from everything that happened before, the guest hosting period,” Davies said. “Mayim was left hosting the primetime versions; I brought in Ken to guest-host once Mayim had her…

The end of 2023 marked the end of an era for Jeopardy! when it was confirmed in December that Mayim Bialik would not return to host the show after sharing hosting duties with Ken Jennings since mid 2021. Even so, The Big Bang Theory star and game show host now can say she ended her run on the series on a high note considering her season of the show just won an Emmy. 

Over the weekend, at the Television Academy’s 75th Creative Arts Emmy Awards, Jeopardy! took home the prize for “Outstanding Game Show.” The series won over Family Feud, That’s My Jam, The Price Is Right, and Wheel of Fortune. Here’s what Bialik said in response to the big win on her Instagram: 

Jeopardy! fans were shocked when Mayim Bialik announced that she had been “informed by Sony” that she would no longer be performing hosting duties on the iconic game show last month. However, her sudden departure from the show did not prevent her from showing her love and support of the series as she celebrated its recent Emmy win for Outstanding Game Show.

Taking to her Instagram account, Bialik wrote:

I’m so…

Sadly, for those who have aligned themselves with Mayim Bialik’s question-asking skills on Jeopardy!, it was announced at the tail end of 2023 that she wouldn’t be returning to the show at all, with Ken Jennings becoming the permanently single host of the program. Sharing her side of the story with her Instagram goodbye, Bialik’s mid-December post stated that Sony, the studio behind the fan-favorite game show, had essentially cut her contract, firing her from the syndicated series.