Jeopardy!will officially have two hosts moving forward inMayim BialikandKen Jennings, the show has confirmed.
After a report inVarietyon Tuesday that the actress and the formerJeopardy!champ will continue to split hosting duties for the popular quiz show, the show confirmed the news Wednesday via their officialTwitteraccount.
“Please join us in welcoming the official co-hosts of Jeopardy!,@kenjenningsand@missmayim! We couldn’t be more thrilled,” the post read.
Executive Producer Michael Davies expanded on the news with in a more comprehensivestatement: “The fact is, we have so muchJeopardy!to make, and so many plans for the future, that we always knew we would need multiple hosts for the franchise and we are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed. And succeed it has.”
Citing the show’s increased viewership despite industry declines, Davies noted thatJeopardy!is “the most-watched entertainment show on all of television. Yes, all of television.”
He aded, “In Mayim and Ken, we have two outstanding hosts at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers …. Mayim and Ken are both extraordinarily talented and simply lovely humans. They support the staff and each other. They love and respect this institution of a television program. In return, the staff and I are honored to work alongside them.”
Davies' announcement also confirmed that Bialik, 46, and Jennings, 48, have signed long-term contracts withJeopardy!and that Jennings' next hosting stint will run September through December, while Bialik will hostCelebrity Jeopardy!and theJeopardy!National College Championship, as well as “as many weeks as she can manage with her other primetime commitment toCall Me Kat.”
He acknowledged to fans: “We know you value consistency, so we will not flip flop the hosts constantly and will keep you informed about the hosting schedule.”
Mike Pont/WireImage; Dia Dipasupil/Getty
Jeopardy!‘ssearch to find a lasting host comes afterthe November 2020 deathof longtime leadAlex Trebek. Afterauditioning several big namesto fill his former role, series executive producerMike Richardswas tapped asTrebek’s permanent replacement. Bialik, meanwhile, was named as host forJeopardy!primetime and its spinoff series,Jeopardy! National College Championship.
Both Bialik and Jennings hve been splitting hosting duties ever since.
Casey Durkin/Getty
Bialik is a neuroscientist and an actress, with previous credits includingThe Big Bang TheoryandBlossom. Jennings isJeopardy!royalty,holding the recordsfor most consecutive games won and highest winnings in a regular season.
Despite her credentials, Bialik’s role as a host has been subject to criticism. Many long-term fans expressed issues with seeing a woman — or someone withoutJeopardy!history — in the game show role after Trebek. She’s also been compared to Jennings on more than one occasion.
Speaking toJustin Longon her podcastBialik Breakdown, Bialik recalled some of themost backhanded remarksshe’s received in the hosting position. “We don’t prefer you to Ken,” she said, as one line she’s heard often.
Recalling additional feedback she’s received, Bialik said: “‘I saw you in a magazine. I was very confused. You looked pretty.’ I get that a lot.”
Last month, aJeopardy!producer teased a future with at least two hosts when they commented on the show’s casting plans.
“But with all of our plans forJeopardy!— which is moreJeopardy!, not less, more versions — we’re going to need multiple hosts to represent the entire audience, to represent the entire country, in order to take this franchise forward,” executive producer Michael Davies recently toldVariety.
Jeopardy!airs weeknights (check local listings).
source: people.com
