In a Huge Shakeup, Mayim Bialik Out as ‘Jeopardy’ Host

It’s been more than three years since legendary Jeopardy host Alex Trebek died of pancreatic cancer at age 80. Trebek hosted the syndicated game show for over 35 years. Trebek became a cultural icon, appearing in dozens of television shows, including Saturday Night Live, How I Met Your Mother, Hot in Cleveland, and Blossom, starring a young Mayim Bialik. But what Jeopardy producers are learning is that it’s hard to replace a cultural icon.

Related: Come On Jeopardy, That’s Your Walt Disney Trivia? 

After the death of Alex Trebek, the show continued with a rotating cast of guest hosts, including LeVar Burton, Aaron Rodgers, Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, and Joe Buck. Executive producer Mike Richards even tried his hand at hosting the show. But Jeopardy settled on two co-hosts for the season that just ended: former champion Ken Jennings and Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik.

During season 39, Jenning hosted the first half, while Bialik took over hosting duties during the second half. However, Bialik stepped away from her hosting duties during the SAG-AFTRA strike, and Jenning resumed hosting duties. But now it appears that Jennings will be taking over hosting duties full-time.

Bialik took to Instagram to inform her fans that Sony, who produces Jeopardy, told her she would no longer be hosting the syndicated game show. She wrote:

Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of ‘Jeopardy! 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.

Jeopardy! announcement. pic.twitter.com/F0RgIWpg0G

— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) December 16, 2023

Sony did not give a reason for firing Bialik but did say in a statement that they were “grateful for her contributions to Jeopardy.”  Bialik was still under contract for season 40, which led some to speculate that her social media activity had to do with her firing. But someone with knowledge of the situation told The Wrap that what she said on social media had nothing to do with her firing.

Two months ago, we witnessed horrific acts of gruesome violence against innocent women by Hamas on October 7th. The world has been largely silent. Today, the #UnitedAgainstRape campaign seeks to speak for all the victims who can’t. Join us in calling on world leaders and women’s… pic.twitter.com/LLO6VmAEo4

— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) December 7, 2023

Bialik stirred controversy when she was hired as the co-host of Jeopardy. In a 2012 book, she wrote that she did not have her children vaccinated. She would later clarify that both she and her children were vaccinated. Bialik, who is Jewish, has been outspoken in her support for Israel since the Hamas Terrorist Attack on October 7.

So, for its 40th season, syndicated Jeopardy will continue with Ken Jennings as the sole host. For Mayim Bialik, she will be leaving America’s favorite quiz show, but there’s always a Big Bang Theory spinoff.

We will continue to update this story at Disney Fanatic.