'The Chase' News: 'Jeopardy!' Champ Buzzy Cohen To Replace Ken Jennings!

Things are looking up for “Jeopardy!” fans hoping that Ken Jennings will take over as the new permanent host of the decades-running game show.

Although the former “The Big Bang Theory” actress Mayim Bialik has been vocal about her desire to become the new permanent host, fans are against it given her inexperience with the show.

Instead, they are hoping that the “Jeopardy!” Greatest of All Time tournament winner becomes the new host due to his long-standing friendship with late host Alex Trebek. The pair first met with Jennings appeared on the show in 2004 and set a still-unbroken win streak of 74 games won in a row.

Only days after the “Blossom” child star revealed that her future on the show was unknown after Friday, May 6, 2022, “The Chase” announced that Ken Jennings would not be returning for another season.

“The Chase” is an NBC trivia game show that features other “Jeopardy!” greats: Brad Rutter and JamesHolzhauer. Chaser Mark Labbett, who joined the show from the British version of the game show, will also not be returning.

Instead, Ken and Mark will be replaced by the 2021 Tournament of Champions guest host Buzzy Cohen and two other chasers. The first is Brandon Blackwell, a popular University College champion, and Victoria Groce, who took down David Madden. The show will continue to be hosted by SaraHaines.

In typical James fashion, he took to Twitter to announce the news, joking, “By popular demand, The Chase is now 100% @KenJennings-free.”

Ken Jennings clapped back with, “I'm already missing all the lovely folks at @TheChaseABC, and the great trivia minds, and James.”

For his part, Buzzy had nothing to say about taking Ken Jennings spot. Instead, he tweeted, “I’m coming for you!!”

“I am having a hard time envisioning Buzzy acting as a heel (he's just so kind and professional) but the great thing about him is that he can antagonize just by dressing better than you,” one fan commented.

Regardless, the news has plenty of fans excited that Ken has stepped away from “The Chase” in order to become the new host of “Jeopardy!”. “Ken, please let this mean that you’re going to be the permanent host of regular-season game play @Jeopardy!” one fan commented. “As much as I enjoy you on @thechaseabc, you have done an excellent job hosting Jeopardy!, and I would be thrilled to see you hosting it each weekday permanently!”

“Jeopardy!” fans on Reddit were quick to cross their fingers that Ken’s departure from “The Chase” meant that he would be hosting the show full-time.

“Woah. If Ken isn't returning, does that bode well for his chances of being named permanent Jeopardy host?” one fan asked. “Good god, I hope so,” another replied.

However, some fans are going to miss Ken Jennings from “The Chase.”

“Honestly the camaraderie of the three GOAT participants made The Chase such a great show,” another fan commented. “Seeing how the three new chasers will interact with James and Brad will be fun, but not quite as fun if they roast Ken when he isn't present.”

“Buzzy is very much a part of the J! family so I expect he’ll have some natural rapport with Brad and James already,” another shared. “I am gonna miss The Beast though - he seemed to enjoy playing the heel the most out of all the Chasers.”

Other fans were quick to suggest that “Buzzy, Matt Amodio, and Amy Schneider should do a GOAT competition.”

Season 38 contestants Matt Amodio and Amy Schneider, who hold the record for third and second-longest win streaks, respectively, will be competing in the 2022 Tournament of Champions held later this year. The exact tournament dates have yet to be announced.