Ken Jennings Addresses Mayim Bialik’s Shocking ‘Jeopardy’ Exit: “It Took Me Off Guard”

Mayim Bialik shocked many, including her former co-host Ken Jennings, when she recently announced that she would not be returning to host Jeopardy.

Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Jennings, who will be continuing as the sole host of the syndicated game show, admitted that her exit was rather unexpected.

“It took me off guard, because I loved working with my Mayim and I’m gonna miss her,” he said. “I can’t speak to her decision-making process or her opinions about it.”

Bialik originally stepped away from the show in May of this year to stand in solidarity with the writers during the WGA strike. But when she still hadn’t returned in the fall when Season 40 began filming and the strike reached a resolution, viewers began to wonder if she would ever return to the game show.

It wasn’t until recently that she formally announced that she would not be coming back to co-host.

“As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she recently announced. “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”
Photo: Instagram/ @Jeopardy
Her statement continued, “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Jeopardy! family. For all of you who have supported me through this incredible journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff and crew of America’s Favorite Quiz Show, thank you.”

In her absence, Jennings will continue as the sole host of Jeopardy to “maintain continuity for our viewers,” according to the game show’s official statement.

A recent report from TMZ claims her absence during the strike “opened execs’ eyes about their dual host system” and helped them realize they could continue with just one host. Her hiatus also reportedly gave Jennings the chance to further refine his hosting skills.

“Mayim stepping away gave Ken an opportunity … and he took it and ran with it, improving his hosting skills while she was away,” the outlet reported.

While speaking to THR, Jennings expressed that he hoped to stay on the show for decades to come, much like his mentor and predecessor Alex Trebek.

“I loved growing up with Jeopardy! where Alex was the host of that show for almost 38 years, and people just kind of felt like he was part of their family, and it’s impossible to fill those shoes,” he said. “But it’s such an honor and hopefully I look forward to 37 more years of doing it, when I’ll be a very, very old man.”

Jeopardy! airs weeknights at 7/6c. Check out the website for your local listings.