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 Reporter, Jennings said he was surprised by the move.

‘It took me off guard, because I loved working with my Mayim and I’m gonna miss her,’ he told the outlet.

‘I can’t speak to her decision-making process or her opinions about it.’

Jeopardy! will have a new look when it returns to television screens in 2024. The popular game show will have only one host, Ken Jennings, 49

The host was once the most successful contest to ever appear on the trivia quiz show, winning 75 games and more than $2.5 million in prize money.

‘On my end, I’m just a fan of Jeopardy! and I’m always delighted to host when they call upon me,’ he said.

‘I just feel extremely lucky to have even been considered for this job as a non-broadcaster.’

Bialik announced she was fired from Jeopardy! December 15 on Instagram and Sony followed with a statement revealing Jennings will become the ‘sole host’ due to ‘continuity’ concerns.

It was reported back in September that she was ‘unlikely’ to return to host for ‘the rest of the year’.

‘As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,’ Bialik began in her lengthy caption.

‘Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!,’ she 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,’ she wrote.

Mayim Bialik, 48, was fired as co-host on Jeopardy! after honoring the Hollywood writers strike. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jennings said he was surprised by the move. ‘It took me off guard, because I loved working with my Mayim and I’m gonna miss her’

She took to Instagram on December 15 to confirm 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 be hosting’ the syndicated version of the game show

‘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,’ she said.

When Jennings returns to the airwaves January 2, it will be for the Celebrity Jeopardy! semifinals as 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 for showing up. You know, we’ve asked them to play a very real, difficult game show,’ he explained.

‘This is not SNL Jeopardy!, these are real questions and answers and some of them are tough and often what impresses me is just how well they perform.’

 The former software engineer said 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 sometimes are on that show,’ he said.

The host was once the most successful contest to ever appear on the trivia quiz show, winning 75 games and more than $2.5 million in prize money

As for the future, Jennings is hoping to have the kind of long and successful career at Jeopardy! that his predecessor Alex Trebek enjoyed. ‘Alex was the host of that show for almost 38 years… hopefully I look forward to 37 more years of doing it’

‘I mean, I’ve realized that a big part of my job as host is to try to be the contestant whisperer and just tell them “you know what, I know you’re stressed; I know this is weird to be on TV for the first time doing this intense thing; I know it’s your favorite show and the stakes are high; I remember all these feelings, but you know, just try to let go of that and try to enjoy every moment of this and you’re gonna play better.”‘

As for the future, Jennings is hoping to have the kind of long and successful career at Jeopardy! that his predecessor, the late Alex Trebek, enjoyed.

‘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 admitted.

‘But it’s such an honor and and hopefully I look forward to 37 more years of doing it, when I’ll be a very, very old man.’