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Mayim Bialik or Ken Jennings? Jeopardy! fans debate who will be show’s permanent host

Fans have been waiting to see if Ken Jennings or Mayim Bialik will be named the quiz show's new permanent host since the death of iconic host Alex Trebek

Fans shared their opinions after Ken Jennings left Jeopardy and Mayim Bialik took his place at the podium in January this year. Jeopardy fans have been waiting to see if Ken Jennings, 47, or Mayim Bialik, 46, will be named the quiz show's new permanent host. Since the death of iconic host Alex Trebek in 2020, Mayim and Ken have been sharing hosting duties.

A Reddit user has compiled information from a variety of sources and claims that the winner of the hosting gig will be announced soon. According to the first clue, Ken disclosed during a recent episode of his podcast, Omnibus, that he has been booked for tapings in June. Earlier, the Jeopardy fans assumed Ken might be hosting episodes for the upcoming fall. In a second clue, Mark Gaberman, an ABC program writer, revealed in early June that he will be returning to the show. Mark wrote on Twitter, "I’m happy to report I just signed my contract for another year of Jeopardy. Beyond grateful." Jeopardy! followers thought that the permanent host's contract was approaching its final stages.

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Variety stated in August 2021 that executive producer Mike Richards would take over as host. However, Mike eventually departed after becoming embroiled in controversy for statements he made about his co-host Beth Triffon on The Randumb Show podcast. "I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, over the last several days, it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show,” Mike said in a statement.

Meanwhile, Mayim's commitment to the ABC show may also have contact concerns, according to fans. The Fox network has renewed the sitcom 'Call Me Kat' for a third season. Her future on the game show could be complicated by the production schedule of her sitcom. Mayim began doing double duty on February 8 for the quiz show's latest special, the National College Championship, after returning as host of Jeopardy on January 31. Earlier, on her ‘Call Me Kat’ role being renewed for a third season on May 16 she wrote, “Can’t wait for more unforgettable #CallMeKat moments! 😻,” alongside a screenshot of a Deadline tweet.

Ken on the other hand wrote on his Twitter, "I'm handing the keys back to the talented actor-producer-writer-director (!) @missmayim for a few months. We are lucky to have her! Thanks for watching, and I'll be back before the end of the season." Fans have long advocated for Jennings to become the permanent host following iconic emcee Alex Trebek’s death in November 2020. Mattea Roach, a Canadian tutor who held a 23-game winning streak on the game show Jeopardy earlier told Vulture, “I would say Ken because of his history with the show. As a contestant, there’s something really special about being on stage with the greatest player of all time. Someone who understands in a very visceral way what it’s like to be in your position. Mayim is fantastic, but she doesn’t have that same experience."