Jordan Karlesson
The team behind Jeopardy! is finally answering fans’ biggest question: Who will be the next host?
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Former Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings and Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik will permanently share co-hosting duties with the show, TVLine reported Monday.
Jennings and Bialik took turns hosting the program prior to Monday’s announcement. But ABC waited two years before making a final decision on who would succeed wildly popular host Alex Trebek.
Trebek died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020. He was 80 years old.
The Difficulties In Finding A New Permanent Host
Following the TV game show host was an arduous tasks for Jeopardy!’s organizers.
First, producers tried a rotating cast of candidates to see if they would be a good fit for the show. One of those candidates, Anderson Cooper, drew the lowest ratings in the history of the show. The team behind the trivia program also considered NFL player Aaron Rodgers.
However, the most troubling development in the saga to replace Trebek came with a third candidate, Mike Richards. An executive producer of the quiz show, he initially seemed like a perfect fit. But in the end, he resigned after only hosting five episodes of the show. Offensive comments, and sexual harassment suits filed against him, torpedoed his chances of keeping the gig.
Late last month, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies said [https://rare.us/people/full-time-jeopardy-host-announcement-coming-very-very-soon/] an announcement on a new permanent host was imminent. He revealed backstage at the Daytime Emmys that an announcement was on the way “very, very soon.”
Controversies continued to ensue after Davies’ announcement.
Earlier this month, Bialik said on her podcast that she was the target of rude comments from fans.
Bialik previously mentioned to Newsweek that online comments can be quite cutthroat. “It’s been unbelievable,” she said. “It’s an unbelievable turn of events in my life and career to have this opportunity… But yes, I did not know the depth of in particular the social media presence of people who are so passionate about Jeopardy!“
After all this time to really make a firm decision, you’re sticking with the same co-op hosts? What a joke! Ken should have been name within 6 months – Mayim is a poor second.
Sorry Judy, I feel the exact opposite! Love watching when Mayim but no longer watch when Ken is on!
She takes too long to respond and loves for people to know how smart she is. OUT!
I disagree Judy….Cannot stand KEN as host. Mayim is a much better host without the dumb jokes.
Yeah she’s like a knot on a log. Like an old maid school teacher! I don’t watch it nearly as much anymore.
Agree
Way to go Judy that’s just how I feel!
Get with it Jeopardy Big Shots!
Disagree! Each to their own opinion. I think Mayim is very relaxed in her handling the contestants and she appears smart and proving to be an excellent host!
They both make good hosts and I like the alternating, it adds a freshness to it… His shoes will never be completely filled. No way… But I like both of the new hosts.
Ken should be the permanent host. Mayam just doesn’t seem a good fit.
I very much agree…
They are both equally disappointing as a host for different reasons. Actually the shows newest format compared to the beginning is also a disappointment. So I rarely watch it anymore. I was an avid watcher with my kids. Too bad.
I much prefer Miam to Ken. Miam keeps the show and game going very nicely whereas Ken talks too much and irritatingly shows that he can add by saying what the contestant’s score will be if the answer is correct.’
Also, since I’m leaving an opinion–do away with dull contestant anecdotes. We watch the show to see how we do with playing the game. Who really cares what humorous thing happened on a honeymoon, vacation etc.
Eliminating these boring stories might enable another question for each category.
Thank you!
Agree totally with Joseph VanDyke. Valuable time wasted talking trivia.
Don’t care for Mayim, she won’t even use her real name.
Back in the day you had ‘game show hosts’ not ex-winners or TV stars. That was their job and that’s what they did very well. Nowadays more focus is on the hosts (usually celebrities) more than the players. I wish they would have picked somebody out of the limelight that nobody was familiar with and give that a try. Just have no interest in the show since Alex is gone.
I’m a Ken Jennings fan. Mayim has made mistakes on pronunciation. I’ve seen her do it more than once and Trebek wouldn’t have ever done that.
I prefer Ken and wish it would just be one host.
I agree…love Ken
Unfortunately I won’t watch her, just something about her that bugs me, Maybe it’s her ‘know it all’ era that bugs me. I will watch other programs unti it’s Ken turn.
Plus the old fuddy duddy way she dresses 90% of the time is distracting. She Definitely needs a makeover especially in the clothing department. Stepping into Alex’s position entails refinement and style Weather the host of the show is a he or she
Learn to spell “weather” before you make a stupid speech on Mayim’s wardrobe. Do you look at Ken’s uninspiring wardrobe. Of course not; you are a sexist idiot
I do think what someone wears should not be reason to dislike someone, I would like both , it think they both will do great, we know no one will be like Alex was, but we have to go with the changes, this is just my thoughts, everyone one has their own thoughts on this
Ken would be a great host if he removed the stick!
I had preferred that guy I think Cohen was his name he is tall , handsome and has lots of personality
Are you referring to former contestant Buzz? He was my favorite.
I love her but on this show she is so fake, she should be herself, not a robot
I much prefer Mayim—I didn’t even like Jennings when he was a contestant. I don’t watch Jeopardy when he is hosting. Didn’t he make enough money as a contestant? He should be able to retire and leave the door open for someone else. Mayim is a much more personable human being.
I agree 100%!
I don’t think there is any comparison— Mayim is outstanding– so upbeat, genuine smile, love the time watching the show with her on it. I’m sure Ken is a nice man but his personality doesn’t compare to Mayims outgoing, bubbly personality– she’s the real thing and you can feel it– she loves her job and it shows— totally not as much as Ken does. A great BIG vote for Mayim
Mayim is too slow to indicate right or wrong response. And has the most hideous wardrobe ever for such a high profile program. She should be rated A for awful!
I agree with Paul Fred Leitgeb 100%.
I feel the right decision was made in all fairness to both.
I’m enjoying the two of them and glad they will continue sharing duties.
Mayim definitely, Ken’s nasal sound turns me off! So I in turn, turn it off when he is on. They are both great in their own way.
I am sorry that the decision was made to have a shared position. Ken is far superior! Mayim has an awkward way of responding to the contestants personal comments segment, and she has an uncomfortable pause before giving telling the respondents “Yes, that is correct”, or “No.”
Too bad.
I like both of them as host. Ken and Mayim are both very smart individuals and it shows!! I think the show will never be the same without Alex but they are doing a great job!!
I won’t watch this program when Ken is hosting. Glad you finally chose the two of them. At least I can watch the show half of the time.
Ken Jenning Please
Ken Jennings’s gets my vote
I like both of them and glad they’ve made it permanent. I watch the show for the answers and questions and I loved Alex but I watched the show because I enjoy the format.
The nice thing about finally making a decision is there is no more speculation. They have both been very gracious since the beginning. No talking about one another. They handled it much better than the bigwigs who I thought handled it like a kindergarten class.
I like the Jennings guy, but I really believe that Ms Bialek is an excellent host..it is really hard to choose between them both because both add their own special way in hosting the show, which both are unique and very fun to watch. 😀
If you stop watching the show because you don’t like the host, you are not a true Jeopardy fan. The host does not the show make‼️ Mayim dresses conservatively. It demonstrates she takes her job seriously, as she should. I liked the 5 day wonder,, Richards. But I like Mayim, too. Ken has been on 2 other quiz shows previously, he should have stuck with them! But I won’t stop watching, no matter who’s the host‼️
Really? “The host does not the show make!!” LMAO
Just tell us already!!
Mayim Bialik: 50s schoolmarm! Boooring!
Ken Jennings should have been a “shoe/in”. I thought of him as the obvious host before Alex even left this world. Please – Ken!!!
I only watch it when Ken Jennings is hosting. When the other one is on, I ignore the entire week/s.
LIKE EM BOTH…
I prefer Ken by far. Miyam is just ok. Her pauses after contestants buzz in and respond are too long. I watch the show for the contestants and the game itself. The host is not the deciding factor. But I would have been fine if Ken was named permanent host. Nobody would surpass Alex as the best host ever.