Mayim Bialik’s absence from the show “Jeopardy!” has raised questions. The Big Bang Theory actor took to her Instagram handle on Friday as a medium to deliver the message to her fans and the watchers of the show that she will no longer be seen in the “Jeopardy! show as the host based on the decision taken by Sony to remove her and keep Ken Jennings as the solo host.
Mayim Bialik has already been nominated for Emmy awards this year for her work on the popular game show “Jeopardy!”. She joined the show in 2021, after the death of longtime host Alex Trebek in 2020, on an interim basis, followed by a permanent host for 2022 as a co-host along with Ken Jennings.
What is the reason behind Mayim Bialik’s absence in “Jeopardy!”?
After working on an interim basis (2021), then as a permanent host for the next year (2022), Bialik has not been seen making any appearances on the show “Jeopardy!” for the shoot. Later in May, it was reported by the deadline that the host of the show had stepped back from the shoot due to indulgence in the writers and actors strike “SAG-AFTRA,” which ended in November.
During the time Bialik had stepped her foot back from the show during this summer in the solidarity of the Hollywood writers and actors strike “SAG-AFTRA,” the last one week of shooting of the show’s season 39 was still left to be done, which had to be hoisted by Bialik, and in this moment of crisis, Ken Jennings came forward to finish the shooting of the left before the summer interval.
Why will Mayim Bialik not be doing “jeopardy”?
Mayim Bialik holds a doctoral degree (Ph.D.) in neuroscience, and her first appearance in “The Big Bang Theory” made her a renowned actor. When she stepped into “Jeopardy!” as an interim in 2021, she clearly mentioned her desire to get a permanent position in the show.
In July 2022, Bialik and Jennings were announced to be the permanent joint hosts of the game show. Bialik and Jennings have been nominated this year for the Emmy for “Outstanding Host for a Game Show,” but the news that was broke out by Bialik on her Instagram page on Friday had shaken up the watchers of the show and her fans.
A post with the caption “Jeopardy! announcement.” On her Instagram account, Mayim stated, “As holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news.” After which, she has continued to confirm her departure from the show due to the decision made by Sony.
She added, “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!” Bialik also shared the news of her Emmy nomination, on which she says, “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a Primetime Emmy for hosting this year.”
Later in the post, Bialik shared gratitude for all her supporters by saying, “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.” The host has turned off the comments on the posts; it seems like Bialik does not want to make any comments on the current situation for now.
While Bialik was on the show, some critics felt she lacked impartiality, firstly because she asked to become a permanent host and secondly, due to her being outspoken on matters that involved society in crucial topics. As the last host of the game show, Trebek had been maintaining an atmosphere of neutrality and impartiality.
Sony’s comment on this matter was that they had confirmed Bialik’s exit from “Jeopardy!” by making the decision to have Jennings as the solo host “to maintain continuity for our viewers.” The company had appreciated and praised her contributions to the show, and they would hope to continue to work with Bialik on her prime-time specials. No further comments were made by either party.
