Back in 2020, the popular game show “Jeopardy!” would never be the same again after host Alex Trebek lost his battle with cancer. After he died, the show’s producers took their time finding a replacement host, and in the end, they chose two hosts – Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings and actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik.
Bialik may be best known for her roles on shows like “Blossom” and “The Big Bang Theory,” but she felt that hosting “Jeopardy!” made her even more popular among fans. In 2022, she told ET that hosting Jeopardy! “changed my life in enormous ways. My recognizability and kind of familiarity that people feel with me is a lot more, especially with, like, a nightly show like that, when you’re on a show that’s always in people’s living rooms or wherever they choose to watch.”
Unfortunately for Bialik, Sony has changed their minds about having her host the show. She announced the sad news on Instagram on December 15, 2023, writing, “As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news. Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”
She added, “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 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.”
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Since her post, PEOPLE got Sony’s side of the story. A spokesperson for the game show told PEOPLE, “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!.” The spokesperson added, “We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials.”
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