December 7, 2024

Mayim Bialik leaves ‘Jeopardy!’ early: Why Ken Jennings is taking over

The show must go on – but this time, without Mayim Bialik.

The “Jeopardy!” host has exited the show in its final week of filming Season 39 in support of the ongoing Writers Guild of America strike, according to Deadline.

Ken Jennings is set to take on hosting duties in her place, according to the outlet, and they will finish filming for the season on May 19.

Sony Pictures Television produces the show.

The Post reached out to Bialik and Sony for further comment.

On May 2, the WGA said members were going on strike in an effort to petition for higher wages, a better pay structure to include streaming services, and regulation around article intelligence.

Mayim Bialik is taking a step back from her
Mayim Bialik is taking a step back from her “Jeopardy!” hosting duties in support of the WGA strike.
Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP
However, even though Bialik is leaving, Ken Jennings will replace her for the final week of filming.
Even though Bialik is leaving, Ken Jennings will replace her for the final week of filming.
ABC via Getty Images
The writer's strike began on May 2.
The writers’ strike began on May 2.
Getty Images

The WGA is made up of an alliance of two labor unions that represent more than 11,000 writers in the entertainment industry, according to “Today.”

As a result, popular shows such as “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” have shut down production.

The upcoming Tony Awards on June 11 may also be canceled.

It is the first Hollywood strike in 15 years – the last one was in 2008 and lasted for 100 days.

Since the walkout kicked off, many writers, including “Jeopardy!” writers Michele Loud and Billy Wisse, have spoken up.

“Our words are on the screen every night,” Loud told Variety. “There is no ‘Jeopardy!’ without writers. Without us, it’s just an empty blue screen.” 

During the interview, the writers explained that while they were grateful for their steady, year-round jobs on the game show, they were disappointed with the current state of the television and film industry and the changes that could lie ahead.

“They never tried to make it a gig economy before,” Wisse told the outlet. “There was always some sense that writers were partners in it.”

The season will still wrap as the questions were written ahead of time.
The season will still wrap, as the questions were written beforehand.
ABC
The show is produced by Sony pictures.
Sony Pictures produce the show.
ABC

According to Deadline, the game show is a WGA program, but the questions asked on the show were written before the season — and the strike — began.

In August 2021, Bialik took over hosting “Jeopardy!” in tandem with Jennings.

It is the most-watched show in syndication, grabbing an audience of about 9 million people weekly, Deadline reported.

The writer's strike is affecting many popular TV shows, including
The writers’ strike is affecting many popular TV shows, including “The Tonight Show” with host Jimmy Fallon.
Getty Images
Bialik is standing in solidarity with the writer's on strike.
Bialik is standing in solidarity with the striking writers.
Getty Images for Los Angeles LGBT Center

Last January, the show was renewed through the 2027 to 2028 season.

Bialik took over hosting after Alex Trebek died in November 2020 at 80.

However, not everyone has been a fan of Bialik since her time on the show.

In February, fans were angry over this season’s hosting schedule, as they had split duties during the season.

“Jeopardy, stop trying to make Mayim happen,” one person raged on Twitter. “It’s not going to happen.”

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