An government producer is sharing behind-the-scenes information concerning the current “Jeopardy!” internet hosting shake-up.
During the “Unscripted Storytellers” panel on the 2024 Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, Michael Davies, a showrunner with “Jeopardy!” spoke concerning the resolution to let Mayim Bialik go and make Ken Jennings the only real host.
“When I took over the show, we were really forced into that situation from everything that happened before, the guest hosting period,” Davies mentioned, 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 additional defined that the choice was a part of an general want for “consistency” for the sport present.
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![Michale Davis side by side photo of TCA Unscripted panel](https://a57.foxnews.com/static.foxnews.com/foxnews.com/content/uploads/2024/02/1200/675/3886a00d-MichaelDavisJeopardy.jpg?ve=1&tl=1)
Michael Davis, “Jeopardy!” showrunner, mentioned there was a want for “consistency” within the resolution to let Mayim Bialik go from her internet hosting duties on the present. (Disney/PictureGroup)
“Over the past two-and-a-half seasons, what we’ve heard from a lot of television stations and other interested parties is that they wanted more consistency,” Davies mentioned through the panel. “They wanted a single host.”
Davies didn’t rule out Bialik coming again sooner or later.
“Mayim is a superb host,” he mentioned. “We hope to keep working with her on primetime versions and other spinoffs.”
He added, “Those conversations are ongoing – but Ken really won the job.”
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Bialik introduced in December she was let go from internet hosting “Jeopardy!” and wrote on social media that she had been “honored” to have held the job. (Casey Durkin/ABC by way of Getty Images)
Fox News Digital reached out for remark from “Jeopardy!” however didn’t instantly hear again.
Bialik introduced that she was let go from the internet hosting gig at “Jeopardy!” in December on social media.
“As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she wrote. “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”
She continued, she was “honored” to have been a part of the present, together with incomes an Emmy nomination for internet hosting, and wrote, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Jeopardy! family.”
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Bialik and Ken Jennings shared internet hosting duties since 2022, after each auditioned throughout 2021. (FOX by way of Getty Images)
In a press release shared to the official “Jeopardy!” Instagram web page, the present shared, “Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of ‘Jeopardy!’ 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 assertion concluded.
Jennings later informed The Hollywood Reporter he had been caught “off guard” by Bialik’s exit.
“It took me off guard, because I loved working with my Mayim, and I’m gonna miss her,” he informed the outlet in December. “I can’t speak to her decision-making process or her opinions about it.”
Jennings informed The Hollywood Reporter the change “took me off guard.” (Christopher Willard/ABC by way of Getty Images)
As for being sole host of the present, Jennings mentioned, “I’m just a fan of ‘Jeopardy!’ and I’m always delighted to host when they call upon me. I just feel extremely lucky to have even been considered for this job as a non-broadcaster.”
Jennings and Bialik started internet hosting “Jeopardy!” in 2021 as a part of the present’s audition course of following the loss of life of Alex Trebek. In 2022, they had been introduced as new everlasting hosts, and took turns internet hosting common episodes and tournaments, whereas Bialik solely dealt with “Celebrity Jeopardy!”
Fox News Digital’s Emily Trainham, Brie Stimson, and Ashley Hume contributed to this report.
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