Mayim Bialik hosting ‘Jeopardy!'.Photo: Casey Durkin/Getty
Mayim Bialikwill not be returning to hostJeopardy!.
On Friday,TheBig Bang Theoryalum, 48, announced that she was let go of her gig in a statement shared toInstagram.
“As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have someJeopardy!news,” she wrote. “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version ofJeopardy!”
“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 theJeopardy!family,” she added.
Mayim Bialik shares a statement about her departure from ‘Jeopardy!’ on Instagram.Mayim Bialik/ Instagram
Mayim Bialik/ Instagram
PEOPLE has since learned that the actress’ contract was not up at the time of Sony’s decision.
Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!. We made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers, and Ken Jennings will be the sole host for syndicated Jeopardy!. We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials.
In a statement, aJeopardy!spokesperson told PEOPLE, “We made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers, and Ken Jennings will be the sole host for syndicatedJeopardy!.”
“We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials,” the spokesperson added.
Mayim Bialik hosting ‘Celebrity Jeopardy!'.Tyler Golden/ABC via Getty
Tyler Golden/ABC via Getty
Bialik took over the co-hosting role after longtime host,Alex Trebek,diedin late 2020. In 2021, it was announced that Bialik andKen Jenningswould co-host the series on a rotating basis.
Prior to landing the gig, Bialik expressed interest in taking over as the quiz show’s permanent host during an interview withEntertainment Tonightin March 2022.
“I would love that,” she told the outlet. “I like to say I’ve lived season-to-season since I was about 13 years old.”
Addressing what an honor it’d be to become the first permanent female host, the neuroscientist added, “I think being a female is its own mark. My grandparents were immigrants to this country and escaped pogroms, and World War II, so for me, in two generations, be in a position to be a woman and a host in that iconic role, blows my mind.”
Mayim Bialik hosting ‘Jeopardy!'.Jeopardy/Instagram
In May 2022, Bialik became the show’s temporary full-time host when Jennings took a hiatus from the series. The following month, he returned and the duo became permanent co-hosts onJeopardy!.
During an appearance withJustin Longon her podcastBialik Breakdown, the neuroscientist opened up about theharsh criticism she facedfrom longtime viewers about her involvement in the show.
According to Bialik, one of the most common remarks she got from fans is: “We don’t prefer you to Ken.” Bialik also shared another backhanded remark that had been relayed to her. “Like, ‘I saw you in a magazine. I was very confused. You looked pretty,'” she recalled. “I get that a lot.”
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Jeopardy!airs weekday evenings (check local listings).
source: people.com
