’Jeopardy!’ has gotten itself into quite the pickle since Alex Trebek left the show, and this world, back in November of last year. Now Sony Pictures Television has bought itself a few months to sort out their mess, announcing that Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will take turns hosting the beloved quiz show “through the end of the calendar year.”
Neuroscientist and actress, Bialik had been tapped to host Jeopardy! primetime specials like the Tournament of Champions. It was much speculated she will take over the evening, syndicated role after Mike Richards was ousted amid a cloud of scandal, however, the Big Bang Theory Star had previously said she did not have time in her schedule to take on the role full time.
‘Jeopardy!’: Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik to Split Hosting Duties for Remainder of the Year
Enter Ken Jennings, the undisputed Jeopardy! G.O.A.T. and early favorite to take over from the late Trebek, back to share hosting duties with Bialik.
Since November, Jeopardy! has seen a host of hosts stand behind the podium. The news that executive producer, Mike Richards had won the full time gig shocked many and angered those who believed him to be unfit for the position due to past misogynistic comments and treatment of the talent on other shows he executively produced.
After a very loud and public outcry, Richards was quickly removed as host, but not after filming one weeks’ worth of shows, airing now. He was later fired as executive producer also, due to the demands from the public. Well known competitor, James Holzhauer was a fan of this decision, tweeting out a Wizard of Oz GIF of Ding Dong the Witch is Dead. Ouch.
Though Jennings had claimed he was overlooked for the permanent host role due to some unsavory past tweets of his own, he will now share the duties with Bialik and could be back in the running for full time host.
Bialik has filmed three works worth of episodes (and lightning run competitor, Matt Amodio is probably on all of them!) She will reportedly film four more weeks, taking her tenure up to November. From there, Bialik and Jennings will split hosting duties as their schedules allow. Jennings is currently one of four ‘chasers’ on ABC’s primetime quiz show The Chase.
Here’s hoping the Sony executives will get their act together by January and Jeopardy! will, 13 months after Trebek’s death, get a real–and worthy–host!
Watch Jeopardy! weeknights on NBC.
For any other soap opera and entertainment news, please visit again Daily Soap Dish. Don’t forget to visit The Go To Family for all of the latest travel news!.