On Wednesday, “Jeopardy!” fans were a little surprised to hear that both Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik would be returning to host season 39.
Instead of switching off every few weeks, Ken will start hosting season 39, which starts taping next week, from September through January. Mayim will pick up in January and balance hosting commitments with her Fox sitcom, “Call Me Kat.”
Although Mayim will continue to host special tournaments and “Celebrity Jeopardy!”, will also debut in September, Ken has been tapped to host the inaugural Second Chance Tournament and the highly-anticipated Tournament of Champions later this year.
However, many fans had been hoping that Ken would be the one and only host, and they took to social media to make their feelings known.
‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Want Ken Jennings To Be The One And Only Host
Please join us in welcoming the official co-hosts of Jeopardy!, @kenjennings and @missmayim! We couldn’t be more thrilled.
For more on our new hosts and new initiatives, click to read a note from Jeopardy! EP @embassydavies: https://t.co/U8MeXCdsec pic.twitter.com/WTSAnZPAv2
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) July 27, 2022
Although the official “Jeopardy!” Twitter account said that they “couldn’t be more thrilled” to have Ken and Mayim come back to host, many fans were not as pleased.
You blew it. I won’t be watching when Mayim is on. You are killing Jeopardy. I have a lot of company.
— caramia1990 (@ibbnegtk) July 28, 2022
“You blew it. I won’t be watching when Mayim is on. You are killing Jeopardy,” one fan commented, warning, “I have a lot of company.”
Ugh… I cannot stand Mayim Bialik. Ken should be the host 100 per cent of the time.
— peaceableone (@peaceableone) July 28, 2022
“Ugh… I cannot stand Mayim Bialik,” another user commented. “Ken should be the host 100 [percent] of the time.”
Just give it to Ken for chrissake
— Foreman Domai (@DomaiForeman) July 28, 2022
“Just give it to Ken for chrissake,” said another follower.
So disappointed you kept Mayim Bialik. I love the show, but find her episodes unbearable to watch. I’ll now be a permanent part time watcher.
— Catherine Lewis (@cjlewis14) July 28, 2022
“So disappointed you kept Mayim Bialik,” another user wrote. “I love the show, but find her episodes unbearable to watch. I’ll now be a permanent part-time watcher.”
If prefer the host carousel to this. Do not enjoy Mayim as a host at all. Guess I’ll be watching ~half of each season from now on.
— christy (@itschristyyall) July 28, 2022
“[I] prefer the host carousel to this. Do not enjoy Mayim as a host at all,” another user commented. “Guess I’ll be watching ~half of each season from now on.”
‘Ken Jennings should be the only host’
Ken Jennings should be the only host of Jeopardy. I like Mayim but not as Jeopardy host. She’s just not getting any better even tho she stopped saying ‘dollars’ every time she announced the scores. So annoying.
— Juliebeeg (@julie_juliebeeg) July 28, 2022
“Ken Jennings should be the only host of Jeopardy,” another fan shared. “I like Mayim but not as Jeopardy host. She’s just not getting any better even tho she stopped saying ‘dollars’ every time she announced the scores. So annoying.”
Not thrilled with this news. For me the difference is simple: Ken IS a game show host. Mayim is an actress PLAYING a game show host and not very well at that.
— Cindy (@cincewhen) July 28, 2022
“Not thrilled with this news,” another follower commented. “For me the difference is simple: Ken IS a game show host. Mayim is an actress PLAYING a game show host and not very well at that.”
Sorry Jeopardy Bone head move. Notice how the rating go up when Ken is host and down during Mayim time. I’ve had more than my fill of her this last season. She seems to be getting worse over time. Definitely more annoying. Will only watch Jeopardy when Ken hosts. Not joking.
— Anthony A (@Anthony33561723) July 28, 2022
“Sorry Jeopardy Bone head move. Notice how the rating go up when Ken is host and down during Mayim time. I’ve had more than my fill of her this last season,” another user wrote. “She seems to be getting worse over time. Definitely more annoying. Will only watch Jeopardy when Ken hosts. Not joking.”
So no Will Ferrell? pic.twitter.com/9Sn8VLV3MG
— steel balls (@520vxdude) July 28, 2022
Another user joked, “So no Will Ferrell?”
Although Mayim did not make a statement on social media regarding the announcement, Ken Jennings took the time to write a lengthy statement on how he plans to honor the legacy left behind by late host Alex Trebek. Ken’s statement can be read here.
