- Legendary 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek passed away in 2020
- Mayim Bialik took over the job, but has recently left the show
- THIS is what the show's greatest competitor thinks about taking the job
Every great show needs a great host, and 'Jeopardy!' is absolutely no exception to this golden television rule that has been tried and tested. Fans didn't take too well to Mayim Bialik's antics and so a change had to be made. Enter Ken Jennings, the man with the answers, who has officially been crowned the full-time host of the syndicated edition of Jeopardy!
After Bialik's recent departure. Get ready to buzz in, because this brainy bonanza is about to get a fresh dose of Jennings' genius!
Things just got very smart!
After the heartbreak of losing Alex Trebek, fans wondered who could possibly fill his shoes. Ken Jennings, the winningest contestant in Jeopardy! history, took up the mantle as co-host last year, and now he's ready to fly solo.
"I'm just a fan of Jeopardy! and I’m always delighted to host when they call upon me," Jennings shared with The Hollywood Reporter, humbly stepping into the spotlight.
"It’s kind of a weird thing to try to bring back an ex-contestant to host, and I’ve obviously been learning as I go. But I loved growing up with 'Jeopardy!' where Alex was the host of that show for almost 38 years, and people just kind of felt like he was part of their family, and it’s impossible to fill those shoes," he said.
"But it’s such an honor and hopefully I look forward to 37 more years of doing it, when I’ll be a very, very old man."
The buzz was all about Bialik when she revealed she'd be stepping down from the syndicated show. Jennings, ever the gentleman, expressed his surprise and admiration for his former co-host. "I loved working with my Mayim and I’m gonna miss her," he confessed. But as one star exits stage left, another takes center stage, and Jennings is up for the challenge!
Bialik, 48, announced earlier this month that Sony informed her she would no longer be hosting the show starting in 2024. "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 wrote via Instagram on December 15.
"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."
'Celebrity Jeopardy!' is also back with a bang, and Jennings is at the helm as the master of ceremonies. With stars like Utkarsh Ambudkar, Mira Sorvino, and Lisa Ann Walter competing for charity, the stakes are high and the entertainment is top-notch. Expect the unexpected, from tiebreakers to tap dancing, because this isn't your everyday Jeopardy!
"This is a version of Jeopardy! where anything can happen," Jennings teased, promising a show where celebrities let loose and the trivia flows.
The Contestant Whisperer
Jennings isn't just a host; he's a contestant whisperer, easing the nerves of those brave enough to face the iconic game board. His experience as a contestant gives him a unique edge, and he's ready to guide the stars through the trivia gauntlet.
"You’re watching three laypeople, three non-performers perform," Jennings said, highlighting the raw, real element that makes Jeopardy! a nail-biter.
As Jennings looks forward to "37 more years" of hosting, fans can rest easy knowing that the future of 'Jeopardy!' is in the hands of a true trivia titan. Whether it's the celebrity edition or the daily grind, Jennings is ready to keep the legacy of Jeopardy! alive, one question at a time.
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Paying tribute to his fellow Canadian!
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Mayim Bialik Set To Return As Temporary Guest Host Of 'Jeopardy!'
"This is not SNL Jeopardy!, these are real questions and answers and some of them are tough and often what impresses me is just how well they perform," Jennings said. The former software engineer said as a host, he has to be ready for just about anything.
"I don’t think the home viewer really understands how terrified the contestants sometimes are on that show," he said.
So, tune in, turn up the volume, and prepare for a wild ride as Ken Jennings takes the reins of America's favorite quiz show. It's sure to be a brain-busting blast!
