Mayim Bialik ‘unlikely’ to return as Jeopardy! host for ‘the rest of the year’ – as Ken Jennings’s podcast cohost accuses her of ‘virtue signaling’ amid SAG strike

Mayim Bialik is not expected to return to her hosting duties on Jeopardy! until at least 2024, new reports claim.

The former Big Bang Theory star, 47, has been replaced by fellow cohost, Ken Jennings, on Celebrity Jeopardy! following her decision to step down from her role in support of the ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) union, Bialik stopped filming the game show in the final week of Season 39’s taping, leaving Jennings to take over in the meantime.

A source is sharing details on whether fans can expect to see the actress back on their screens this year The messenger“She’s choosing to stay with her union, which is why she’s been told it’s unlikely she’ll be returning for the rest of the year, even if the strike is resolved before then.”

Big decision: The former Big Bang Theory star (left), 47, has been replaced by fellow cohost Ken Jennings (right), until the SAG strikes come to an end

The insider explained, “Mayim chooses to stand behind the actors, just as she did with the writers, and will not cross picket lines.

“She hopes to return to Jeopardy! once the strike is resolved.’

The latest update comes just days after Jennings’ podcast cohost released the Jeopardy! star against accusations that he is a “scab” for agreeing to host the game show spin-off despite the strikes.

John Roderick, 54, who is also a musician, also seemed to shadow Bialik in her decision to step down from hosting.

While Bialik and Jennings handle hosting duties on Jeopardy! Since the death of former host Alex Trebek in the summer of 2022, the Big Bang actress has historically taken charge of the Celebrity edition of the show.

Roderick ranted against Bialik, accusing her of “performative solidarity” and noting that her cohost’s decision to run the game show was still in line with the rules of the SAG-AFTRA strike, which included a game show exception.

“Mayim does what she does out of performative solidarity with the writers’ strike and Ken steps in to keep the show going in accordance with his contract as a SAG-AFTRA game show host,” enraged Roderick in a blistering Facebook post.

Clapping back: John Roderick, 54 – cohost of Ken Jennings on the Omnibus podcast – posted a lengthy diatribe on Facebook defending his friend over claims he’s a ‘scab’

Not Impressed: Social media users have accused Ken of being a “scab” — a term for not showing solidarity with a union — for being the host of Celebrity Jeopardy!

Also in Roderick’s sights was actor-writer Wil Wheaton, 51.

In May, the actor-writer took aim at Jennings on social media, writing, “This is a VERY small town, Ken Jennings, and we will all remember this. Your privilege may protect you right now, but we will *never* forget it,” said Per TV insider.

No doubt with Wheaton’s previous comments on the matter in mind, Roderick ranted, “I’m not going to say that Mayim, or Wil Wheaton, are SHOWBOATING, and maybe Wil doesn’t know how labor works either, but there’s a lot of irrelevant virtue signaling on this subject that , frankly, is both boring and idiotic.’

In defending Jennings, Roderick fervently broke down the legality of the situation.

“If you look at the SAG-AFTRA rules, there are contractual exceptions for daytime television and game shows. Ken is a member of SAG in good standing,” he began.

Everyone in Hollywood is aware that different unions have different rules and different contracts apply differently to different jobs. There are still TENS OF THOUSANDS of labor union workers in Hollywood.

Sharing his thoughts: The musician further denounced those who “had a habit of stirring up s**t on social media if you only have a superficial knowledge” of the topic in question

“Ken is not a villain and anyone who says that doesn’t know how unions work,” John stated.

To emphasize, he added, “I’m amazed that so many people who think they’re supporting labor by shouting scab in a public forum are simply revealing that they have no idea how organized labor functions.”

John went on to berate the internet denizens for the “habit of fomenting s**t on social media if you have only a superficial knowledge” of the subject – adding zealously, “especially if you don’t know the facts.”

The rant on Facebook comes in the wake of a new wave of social media hate directed at Jennings, accusing him of being a “scab” for accepting Celebrity Jeopardy! hosting gig in Mayim’s absence, as previously reported by DailyMail.com.