Mayim Bialik‘s run on “Jeopardy!” has come to an end.
The “Big Bang Theory” actor, who was announced as the permanent co-host of the quiz show alongside former champion Ken Jennings last summer, shared the news Friday in an Instagram post.
“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!” Bialik wrote in her statement.
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 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.”
Jennings has been hosting Season 40 of the syndicated show solo since it premiered in September.
‘Jeopardy!’ says decision was made to ‘have one host’
“Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!” a spokesperson for the show shared in a statement to USA TODAY on Friday. “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,” the statement concludes.
Bialik hosted the first season of “Celebrity Jeopardy!” which premiered last year. In August, it was announced that Jennings would be stepping in for her amid the Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strikes; Bialik is a member of SAG-AFTRA, whose strike ended in November.
USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Bialik.
Why Mayim Bialik hasn’t been hosting ‘Jeopardy!’
Bialik stepped away from the game show podium this summer in solidarity with striking Hollywood writers, according to a report from industry outlet Deadline.
At the time, “Jeopardy!” had one week of taping left in Season 39 that was meant to be hosted by Bialik, but Jennings crossed the picket line to finish the series’ production before the summer hiatus, according to a person familiar with the plans who was not authorized to speak publicly.
WGA writers walked off the job May 2 after their contract with the major studios expired. Bialik is a member of the Screen Actors Guild of America, another entertainment union that expressed support for the WGA and underwent its own strike. Both unions have since come to agreements with studios and ended their strikes.
Bialik and Jennings were among Season 37’s guest hosts after the show’s beloved longtime host, Alex Trebek, died in 2020. Bialik and Jennings also shared hosting duties for Season 38 before they were announced as permanent hosts ahead of Season 39’s premiere last year.
Contributing: Kelly Lawler
The best and worst ‘Jeopardy! hosts,from Mike Richards to Joe Buck
https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2023/12/15/mayim-bialik-no-longer-jeopardy-host/71938407007/
