‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Say ‘Enough of the Back and Forth’ Between Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik
Mayim Bialik is back at the quiz board on Jeopardy!, who took over for Ken Jennings on May 9. The tag-teaming Jeopardy! hosts have each acquired their own fan base, with viewers growing impatient for an announcement on who will be named for the permanent gig. With season 38 of the game show nearing an end this summer, fans are posting their votes on social media.
Ken Jennings brings ‘GOAT’ status; Mayim Bialik sports a Ph.D.
Both Jennings and Bialik have an impressive list of credits to their names. Jennings became a household name on Jeopardy! in 2004 thanks to his record-breaking 74-game winning streak. Moving on to be crowned Jeopardy!‘s Greatest of All Time in 2020, the quiz show GOAT was also given a consulting producer role on the show.
Bialik earned a bachelor’s degree in 2000 from UCLA with a major in neuroscience. The Big Bang Theory alum then got her Ph.D. at the California university in 2007. The Emmy-nominated actor brings both her education and performance background to the podium, making her a strong contender for the full-time gig. Bialik has openly lobbied for the post since the beginning of season 38.
“I think it’s very clear,” Bialik told Glamour in September 2021. “There’s no other job I would rather have. I love my sitcom work, I do. I love all the other things I do — I love the podcast. But I absolutely have never had a better job.”
Fans rally for ‘Jeopardy!’ GOAT
Jennings has been at the Jeopardy! podium for several weeks, mainly during the 23-game-winning streak of Canadian native Mattea Roach. With Roach’s defeat on May 6, fans vented their frustration when they saw that the GOAT was also missing from the show and lobbied for producers to finally make a decision.
“Why can’t Ken be appointed permanent host already?!?!?” a viewer posted on Jeopardy!‘s Instagram account.
“What’s going on??? Where is Ken Jennings? This has gotta stop already, make Ken permanent host!!!” another wrote.
“Used to be a diehard fan, but all this back and forth with hosts is ridiculous,” a fan remarked.
“Ken Jennings for permanent host. Enough of the back & forth already,” a follower commented.
“I’ll never understand not having named a permanent host yet,” another stated.
Mayim Bialik has votes from viewers
While many Jeopardy! loyalists consider Jennings’ history a major stepping stone to permanent host, Bialik has her own fan base casting their votes for her to stay on the show.
“Glad Mayims back – she’s such a better host. I know people are wrapped up in that Ken nostalgia but being really good at a trivia game doesn’t actually make you qualified to host it on tv,” a fan pointed out.
“Mayim and Ken bring different strengths to the show. … At least Mayim doesn’t constantly have to remind us she’s a champion player. We know it, Ken. We know it,” a viewer shared.
“Glad to see Mayim back!” another wrote.
“Love Mayim as host 👏👏👏👏👏,” a follower posted.
Jeopardy! fans are hoping for a choice to be made sooner rather than later.
