Ken Jennings reveals he was caught ‘off guard’ by Mayim Bialik’s firing from Jeopardy! as he prepares to be the sole host in 2024 : ‘I’m gonna miss her’
Ken Jennings has revealed that he was 'caught off guard' by Mayim Bialik's firing from Jeopardy!.
The 49-year-old television personality – who will be the sole host of the iconic game show when it returns to screens in 2024 – revealed he was surprised by the news in an interview with The Hollywood ReporterJennings said he was surprised by the move.
“It threw me off because I loved working with my Mayim and I'm going to miss her,” he told the outlet.
“I can't comment on her decision-making process or her views on it.”
Danger! will have a new look when it returns to television screens in 2024. The popular game show will have just one host, Ken Jennings, 49
The host was once the most successful competitor to ever appear on the trivia quiz show, winning 75 games and more than $2.5 million in prize money.
“As far as I'm concerned, I'm just a fan of Jeopardy! and I am always happy to host when they call on me,” he said.
“I feel extremely fortunate to have been considered for this non-broadcaster job in the first place.”
Bialik announced that she had been fired from Jeopardy! December 15 followed on Instagram and Sony 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.
Mayim Bialik, 48, was fired as co-host of Jeopardy! after honoring the Hollywood writers' strike. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jennings said he was surprised by the move. “It surprised me because I loved working with my Mayim and I'm going to miss her.”
She took to Instagram on December 15 to confirm the rumors of her departure, as she had not been seen on the show since her last appearance in May.
According to her post, the Blossom actress was informed by Sony that she will 'no longer host' the syndicated version of the game show
“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.
When Jennings returns to the airwaves on January 2, it will be for Celebrity Jeopardy! semi-finals in which Ghosts star Utkarsh Ambudkar, Shining Vale star Mira Sorvino and Abbott Elementary star Lisa Ann Walter compete to win money for the charities of their choice.
'They're just good sports to show up for. You know, we asked them to do a very real, difficult game show,” he explained.
“This isn't SNL Jeopardy!, these are real questions and answers and some of them are tricky and what often impresses me is how well they perform.”
The former software engineer said that as a host he has to be ready for just about anything.
“I don't think the home viewer really understands how terrified the contestants are sometimes on that show,” he said.
The host was once the most successful trivia quiz show competitor ever, winning 75 games and more than $2.5 million in prize money
As for the future, Jennings hopes to have a long and successful career on Jeopardy! which his predecessor Alex Trebek enjoyed. “Alex was the host of that show for almost 38 years… hopefully I look forward to doing it for another 37 years.”
“I mean, I've realized that a big part of my job as a host is trying to be the whisperer for the contestants and just telling them, 'You know what, I know you're stressed; I know it's weird being on TV for the first time and doing something so intense; I know it's your favorite show and the stakes are high; I remember all these feelings, but you know, try to let that go and try to enjoy every moment of this and you'll play better.”
As for the future, Jennings hopes to have a long and successful career on Jeopardy! which his predecessor, the late Alex Trebek, enjoyed.
“Alex was the host of that show for almost 38 years, and people felt like he was part of their family, and it's impossible to fill those shoes,” he admitted.
“But it's such an honor and hopefully I look forward to doing it for another 37 years, when I'll be a very, very old man.”