Mayim Bialik Returns To 'Jeopardy!', Fans Miss Ken Jennings

Fans of Mayim Bialik are welcoming her return to the "Jeopardy!" podium.

As The Blast previously reported, the former "The Big Bang Theory" star was selected to host the show's first-ever Professor's Tournament, which will take place from Monday, December 6, through Friday, December 17.

This means that regular gameplay, currently being hosted by "Jeopardy!" G.O.A.T. Ken Jennings, has been paused for two weeks while the tournament airs.

It also puts a pause on the 11-game win streak by current champion Amy Schneider, who has made history as the first openly trans contestant to make it to the Tournament of Champions.

"Jeopardy!" fans are familiar with the Teacher's Tournament, which features teachers from across the country competing against each other for the grand prize.

The Professor's Tournament follows a similar format, this time featuring fifteen college and university professors.

The first three professors that will start off the tournament are Hester Blum, Gautam Hans, and Gary Hollis. Blum is an English Professor at Penn State University in University Park, Pennsylvania. Hans is an Associate Clinical Professor of Law at Vanderbilt Law School in Nashville, Tennessee. Hollis is a Chemistry Professor at Roanoke College in Salem, Virginia.

The first episode starts on Monday, December 6, and the first round ends on Friday, December 10. The highest-scoring contestants from week one will return for the semi-finals, which take place from Monday, December 13 to Wednesday, December 15.

The winners of those three games will go on to compete in the finales which are held on Thursday, December 16, and Friday, December 17. The winner is determined by the cumulative final scores over those two days.

Regular gameplay will return on Monday, December 20.

It remains to be seen who will continue to host the show after the tournament ends. Sony previously announced that both Jennings and Bialik would split hosting duties for the rest of 2021.

Ken Jennings has recently filled in to host, since Bialik is busy filming season 2 of her sitcom "Call Me Kat" but fans seem to support Jennings becoming the new permanent host, given his friendship with the late Alex Trebek.

In an Instagram post announcing the beginning of the Professor’s Tournament, most fans showered the post with comments asking for Jennings to return.

“I really hope Ken is back as host when Amy comes back in two weeks!!!” one fan wrote.

“Our family [is] looking forward to Ken Jennings being back and permanent,” another fan commented.

“Ugh. Have to deal with Mayim being back,” another lamented.

“Go Amy!!!!” one fan cheered. “Also Ken is doing a great job!”

Another asked, “Is Ken going to be the host when regular Jeopardy returns?”

“We are absolutely loving Ken Jennings as the host!!” said another. “Congrats to Amy also! Great job!!”

“I wish Ken was doing the professor’s tournament too,” another fan wrote. “I won’t watch Mayim.”

Bialik, who was originally only signed on to host special tournaments and specials, has also been selected to host the National College Championship that will be held in addition to regular gameplay in February 2022.

No permanent host has been announced for 2022 and beyond, but it looks like fans have their fingers crossed that Jennings will be back at the “Jeopardy!” podium soon!