BIG BUZZ
Jeopardy! pulls shocking move in WILD shakeup as execs snub Mayim Bialik & hand most desirable role to Ken Jennings
JEOPARDY! EP Michael Davies has CONFIRMED Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik with "be the hosts moving forward."
However, the alum has scored "MORE desirable roles" than the actress as the game show's future is revealed.
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The heated Jeopardy! host battle between Ken, 48, and Mayim, 46 has gotten its conclusion on Wednesday, July 27th.
EP Michael shared a to the show's official website.
The announcement began by declaring they both will indeed be permanent hosts.
"I write today with the exciting news that we have closed and signed deals with Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings to be the hosts of Jeopardy! moving forward."
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WHO IS: HOSTING?
The showrunner then broke down next season's schedule and Ken has emerged with quite a few new gigs.
After Ken's four-month stint to start the season, Mayim will host starting January and then, "as much as she can."
"Ken will kick off the season in September, host the inaugural Second Chance competition and the heavily anticipated Tournament of Champions featuring Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach, Ryan Long, and many, many more."
Alum Buzzy Cohen hosted last year's treasured Tournament of Champions, which sees the biggest winners return - the Second Chance tournament is where players are hand-plucked to play again.
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EP Mike continued, outlining the rest of fall's Season 39 and even implying the actress will be less involved than Ken.
"His initial hosting run will take us through December. In the meantime, Mayim will host Celebrity Jeopardy! on ABC in primetime."
"When she takes over from Ken in January, the current plan is to have her host a couple of new tournaments as well as the Jeopardy! National College Championship."
Mike wrote on the schedule after that, "And as many weeks as she can manage with her other primetime commitment to 'Call Me Kat.'"
The EP concluded, "We know you value consistency, so we will not flip flop the hosts constantly and will keep you informed about the hosting schedule."
"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."
Praising how both hosts have "stepped up" and are "at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers," the show has earned 27M weekly viewers this past year.
The EP added, "we’re the most-watched entertainment show on all of television. Yes, all of television."
FANS ARE BUZZING
Fans were floored to get such categorically positive news about Ken, as both will host the syndicated show - but the alum its bigger specials.
"Well that's half good news (the Ken part)," tweeted one fan.
"I'm glad you kept @kenjennings and made him official. Good choice," wrote another.
A third wrote, "So glad for a decision and a detailed view of what to expect. I was firmly in the Ken camp (actually the Buzzy [Cohen] camp but) hopefully with more coaching Mayim will grow into the role.
"And now maybe we can all just go back to enjoying the game."
MORE JEOPARDY! SHOCKERS
Aside from the tournaments and upcoming season being outlined instead of having the hosts alternate on availability, the news didn't stop there.
The EP also announced a new weekly podcast, Inside Jeopardy!.
"Hosted by the Jeopardy! producers, including me," the EP said, it "will give you all an inside look into everything going on behind the scenes at America’s Favorite Quiz Show,"
"From gameplay analysis and behind-the-scenes stories, to official announcements, and special interviews."
Ken nor Mayim, have spoken on the news they will both be hosts yet.
They began filling in for the late legendary Alex Trebek after his tragic 2020 passing and a fleet of Season 37 celebrity guest hosts, including now-disgraced Mike Richards.
The show's ratings nearly doubled to 9.7 million viewers when Ken made his first appearance.
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When Mayim took over her hosting duties the headcount dropped to 5.9 million viewers during a college championship and sadly, she hadn't bested Ken's ratings during the season.
Season 38 finishes this week, amid the major announcement.
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