'No one wants to go': 'Jepoardy!' producers struggle to fill up seats despite offering a 100 free tickets

Mayim Bialik will return to host 'Jeopardy!' on February 20

PUBLISHED FEB 15, 2023

Insiders said Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik reportedly don't have the same pull that Alex Trebek had because of which there were not enough audience members on 'Jeopardy!' (Frazer Harrison, Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: It seems like not every free thing is up for grabs! And unfortunately, that has been the case with the producers of 'Jeopardy!' as they are reportedly struggling to fill up the seats despite offering free tickets to the show.

It has been a very challenging task for the current hosts of the show, Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik, to take the place of Alex Trebek who died in November 2020. "Seeing Alex live was a huge deal for the fans of the show," an insider told Radar Online, adding, "Seeing Ken and Mayim live just isn't as thrilling!" According to the outlet, the show gives away a 100 free tickets for each episode, "but no one wants to go."

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(EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Ken Jennings visits SiriusXM Studios on January 06, 2020 in New York City. — Ken Jennings visits SiriusXM Studios on January 06, 2020 in New York City (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

'Not easy to attend'

"Part of the problem is the show doesn't make it easy to attend," another insider said, adding, "You have to call to confirm your free tickets five days before taping. Then, the day of filming can take around four hours!" However, other insiders claimed these were unfounded rumors. Bialik will make her comeback on 'Jeopardy!' on February 20 and will take over from Jennings. According to TVInsider, Bialik will begin her latest stint with a High School Reunion Tournament, which will run for 14 episodes. Jennings will take a break for an unspecified amount of time afterward.

Mayim Bialik attends 2022 Fox Upfront on May 16, 2022 in New York City. — Mayim Bialik attends 2022 Fox Upfront on May 16, 2022 in New York City (Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)

What did the executive producer say previously?

"The fact is, we have so much Jeopardy! to make, and so many plans for the future, that we always knew we would need multiple hosts for the franchise and we are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed," executive producer Michael Davies previously said, adding, "In Mayim and Ken, we have two outstanding hosts at the beginning of their Jeopardy! hosting careers who connect with their own unique fanbases, new fans, and the traditional Jeopardy! viewer."

Trebek died at the age of 80 after revealing in March 2019 that he had been diagnosed with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The show is not reportedly planning a "big marketing push" to increase interest in attending live tapings.