jeopardy! execs hints ‘superb host’ Mayim Bialik may return to game show just months after she was fired

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JEOPARDY! execs have hinted that former host Mayim Bialik may return to the game show just months after she was fired.

Mayim, 48, was fired in December after going on strike last year in solidarity with her WGA colleagues – though show producers have stated that her absence wasn’t the reason behind her firing.

Jeopardy! execs hinted that former host Mayim Bialik may return to the game show just months after she was fired

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Jeopardy! execs hinted that former host Mayim Bialik may return to the game show just months after she was firedCredit: Getty
On Saturday, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies revealed that there's still a possibility that the former host could be brought back to the lectern

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On Saturday, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies revealed that there’s still a possibility that the former host could be brought back to the lecternCredit: Instagram/BialiksBreakdown

On Saturday, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies revealed that there’s still a possibility that the Big Bang Theory alum could be brought back to the lectern on other versions of the game show, according to Variety.

The outlet reported that during ABC’s presentation at the Television Critics Association Winter 2024 press tour, while discussing unscripted television, Davies revealed that the decision to move away from Mayim and stick with Ken Jennings, 49, as the solo host of the show came from a desire for “more consistency.”

Referring to the recent two-host setup, Davies stated, “When I took over the show, we were forced into that situation.”

He continued, “Over the past two and a half seasons, what we’ve heard from a lot of television stations and other interested parties is that they wanted more consistency.

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“They wanted a single host.”

Davies asserted, “Mayim is a superb host,” before adding that he and the ABC network hope to “continue working with her on primetime versions” of the show.

The producer added, that the conversation regarding Mayim’s return is “ongoing.”

On December 15, Mayim took to Instagram to announce that she was let go from her Jeopardy! hosting gig.

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“As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” the 48-year-old began her post.

“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!

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“I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Jeopardy! family.”

Although there was some initial controversy over why Mayim was fired, entertainment journalist Matthew Belloni revealed exactly what happened.

DEPARTURE EXPLAINED

In his weekly newsletter, he shared the three issues that left Sony: “done with Mayim Bialik.”

The report claimed: “Bialik’s actions during the strike were at least a contributing factor, according to three sources close to the show.”

Mayim hadn’t actually worked on Jeopardy since last May.

When the WGA went on strike, the former game show host walked out of the studio – later citing solidarity for her union.

The report went on to reveal that the executive producers were furious when she left filming in the final week of the season.

It added that other factors influenced the decision – like the fact that she wasn’t well-received by audiences.

Last year fans of the show flooded a Reddit thread suggesting that Mayim should be let go.

Many argued that Ken was a better host.

It was initially claimed that Mayim’s refusal to work during the strike didn’t upset the bosses; instead, it prompted them to rethink their dual host system, ultimately leading to her departure.

“The bosses weren’t mad when Mayim refused to work during this year’s strike,” sources told TMZ.

Instead, they claimed that her hiatus “opened executives’ eyes about their dual host system, and that’s why they moved on.”

It was claimed that: “Mayim stepping away gave Ken an opportunity, and he took it and ran with it, improving his hosting skills while she was away.”

Sources also said that they wanted to keep the door open for her, and offered a position on this season of Jeopardy but Mayim allegedly pushed back.

It was claimed that she demanded an all-or-nothing approach, and refused to participate.

Mayim first started hosting the show in August 2021 after she was hired alongside Ken to replace Alex Trebek – who had tragically died.

The pair started temporary hosting duties until they were offered permanent roles in 2022.

Throughout her time there she faced a lot of criticism from Jeopardy! fans.

RETURN TO TELEVISION

Last month, Mayim made her return to TV during an episode of HGTV’s Celebrity IOU.

She guested as the titular celebrity on Property Brothers Jonathan and Drew Scott’s home-renovation show.

The series sees “Hollywood A-listers express their deep gratitude to the individuals who have had a major impact on their lives” by “surprising them with home renovations,” according to its website.

Mayim’s episode marked her first TV appearance since leaving Jeopardy!

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It was a rare chance to see Mayim, who, with her Call Me Kat sitcom canceled, has no ongoing TV projects on the books.

The Celebrity IOU episode aired on HGTV on January 22, at 8 p.m. ET.

Davies revealed that the decision to move away from Mayim and stick with Ken Jennings as the solo host of the show came from a desire for 'more consistency'

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Davies revealed that the decision to move away from Mayim and stick with Ken Jennings as the solo host of the show came from a desire for ‘more consistency’Credit: Jeopardy!
Davies asserted, 'Mayim is a superb host,' before adding that he and the ABC network hope to 'continue working with her on primetime versions' of the show

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Davies asserted, ‘Mayim is a superb host,’ before adding that he and the ABC network hope to ‘continue working with her on primetime versions’ of the showCredit: Instagram Jeopardy
Last month, Mayim made her return to TV during an episode of HGTV's Celebrity IOU

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Last month, Mayim made her return to TV during an episode of HGTV’s Celebrity IOUCredit: HGTV