Mayim Bialik ‘fired from Jeopardy! after drawbacks of dual hosting system became apparent to Sony during her absence’

A new report has shed more light on why Sony decided to part ways with Jeopardy! co-host Mayim Bialik.

Bialik, 48, announced she had been fired from Jeopardy! in a statement released last week, in which she told fans that she had been “informed” by Sony that she would no longer be hosting the syndicated version of the program.

Now, TMZ has reported what led to Sony making their decision.

According to the outlet, the media company realized that only one host was needed for the show after Bialik withdrew from the program in support of the Hollywood strikes.

The trivia show was hosted by both Bialik and Ken Jennings, 49, but the downsides of the dual hosting arrangement are said to have become apparent to Sony in her absence.

Insiders noted how Jennings refined his hosting skills during Bialik's departure.

They also mentioned the alleged scheduling issues Sony had with Bialik, with the media company reportedly going to great lengths to accommodate her.

Additionally, sources claim she disagreed with production decisions. These disagreements include bringing Michael Davies on board as executive producer and other changes involving staff.

Insiders claim that Sony ultimately decided to part ways with her after realizing how out of touch she was with the show during her months-long absence.

While they no longer want Bialik to host the show regularly, the media company is open to the Blossom alum returning as a host on primetime Jeopardy! specials because of its numerous strengths.

However, Mayim allegedly communicated that she wanted all or nothing, which led to Sony withdrawing its offer.

TMZ also reports that Mayim did not make her statement announcing her departure before releasing it.

Sony is still hopeful that she will return to host primetime specials. From now on, the decision is hers.

Mayim announced that she was fired from Jeopardy! last week on Instagram and Sony followed up with a statement revealing Jennings will become the 'sole host' due to continuity concerns.

In September it was reported that it was 'unlikely' that she would host 'the rest of the year'.

“As the Hollywood holidays begin, I have some Jeopardy! news,” Bialik began in her lengthy caption.

“Sony has informed me that I will no longer receive the syndicated version of Jeopardy! will host,” she continued.

“I am incredibly honored to be nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be a part of the Jeopardy! family,” she wrote.

“To all of you who have supported me on this incredible journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff and crew of America's Favorite Quiz show, thank you,” she said.

Shortly afterwards, Jeopardy! released their own announcement on Instagram, confirming that Bialik's cohost, Ken Jennings, will be the sole host of the syndicated game show's upcoming season.

Mayim Bialik has announced that she will no longer host the syndicated version of Jeopardy! will host,” the statement said.

They confirmed that Jennings will take over all hosting duties for consistency.

“We have decided to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers,” the program continued. “And Ken Jennings will be the sole host of the syndicated Jeopardy!.

“We are truly grateful to Mayim for all of her contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue working with her on primetime specials.”

The Big Bang Theory vet was replaced by Jennings on Celebrity Jeopardy! following her decision to relinquish her role in support of the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes.

A member of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) union, she stopped filming the game show in the final week of the 39th season's filming, leaving Jennings to take over in the meantime.

She hosted a number of primetime shows and specials, but Jennings had handled most of the hosting duties on his own.

Over the summer, fans began speculating that Bialik would not return when Jeopardy! has released a new poster celebrating the show's 39th season on its official Instagram account.

The now-removed artwork featured Jennings, but not Bialik.

Bialik first began hosting the show in August 2021, having been hired as one of the replacements for longtime host Alex Trebek — who was a fan favorite of the show from its 1984 revival until his tragic death.

The game show host and television personality passed away in November 2020 at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

Bialik and Jennings began temporary hosting duties as replacements Trebek's short-lived successor, Mike Richards.

It was previously announced that Richards would resign after offensive comments he had made in the past emerged.

From that point on, Bialik and Jennings were expected to continue sharing hosting duties for both the current 40th season and the show's other numerous iterations in the franchise.

The unprecedented arrangement appeared successful as some fans began debating who their favorite presenter of the duo was.

Earlier this spring, executive producer and showrunner Michael Davies said Vulture he 'supported them both', and they both achieved high ratings.

In May, he continued, “If Ken is hosting and Mayim is hosting, there is no difference.

“I go to the studio every day and try to make them both better at hosting the show and create a better programming environment around them,” he said at the time. “They have my full support.”