While “Jeopardy!” is beloved by its fans, they are also infamous for openly criticizing the hosts, participants, and clues.
Monday night was no exception, as Ken Jennings took over as host, replacing Mayim Bialik. Although Jennings and Bialik both host the show, they usually split seasons.
The episodes, which are taped months in advance, were shot during Hollywood’s writers strike, which Bialik chose to support by stepping down as host.
Fans greeted Jennings’ homecoming with wide arms on Monday, flocking to social media to express their delight of his return.
@MrsBarnesII in her recent tweet states fans rejoicing Ken Jennings return to Jeopardy!:
‘Jeopardy!’ fans cheer Ken Jennings replacing Mayim Bialik
The category is: Celebration. Fans of “Jeopardy!” rejoiced at the return of Ken Jennings, 49, in an episode that aired Monday after spending weeks slamming the show’s other host Mayim Bialik. “Ken Jennings is back h… pic.twitter.com/yiOP0uerbQ— Dr.LyndaBarnes (@MrsBarnesII) July 5, 2023
Another tweet from @Chris15637919 garnering more than 1.4K views welcomes Ken Jennings back to the show:
Welcome back Ken! #jeopardy pic.twitter.com/5pzjyzG9sv
— 🇨 🇭 🇷 🇮 🇸 🇸 🇹 🇪 🇵 🇵 (@Chris15637919) July 4, 2023
With more than 2.4K views, @_MarkWithAnM’s tweet expresses Jennings should be made the permanent host:
Popular opinion: Kennings should be the permanent #Jeopardy host. His personality, cadence, and interaction with the contestants are easily unmatched.
— Not Mark Wahlberg (@_MarkWithAnM) July 4, 2023
Bialik got slammed by fans, and they urged that Jennings take over as permanent presenter of the game show.
@misfitto tweets always turning the channel after seeing Bialik hosting the game show:
Always turned channel when Mayim hosted. I can Watch Jeopardy now because finally Ken Jennings is back!!!
— Misfitto🌻🇺🇦🌻 (@misfitto) July 4, 2023
@RJames27560220’s tweet slams Bialik stating she’s a terrible host:
@Jeopardy OMG Ken Jennings is back hosting and it is sooo wonderful. Hopefully he will become the only host as Mayim Bialik is so terrible.
— R James (@RJames27560220) July 4, 2023
@martinhopkins39 expresses that Bialik should be let go since Jennings is back:
Thank goodness ken is back. Now keep it that way. Let mayim go
— tellthetruth (@martinhopkins39) July 4, 2023
@rnovick subtly expresses his wish to not let Mayim Bialik back on the air:
@Jeopardy Ken Jennings is soooo much better than Mayim Bialik as Jeopardy host. Please don’t let her back on the air.
— Rick Novick (@rnovick) July 5, 2023
However, Jeopardy! and Bialik fans voiced adoration for her:
@snipsnipbloop tweets his grief on Bialik’s departure from the show as host:
We’re watching Jeopardy and Mayim Bialik has left us 😢
— snipsnipbloop (@snipsnipbloop) July 3, 2023
@dianarowland’s tweet voices her respect for Bialik accompanied by a cheeky comment for Jennings:
Gained respect for Mayim Bialik and lost it for Ken Jennings. Don't be a scab.
— Diana Rowland (@dianarowland) May 13, 2023
The Writers Guild of America has been on strike since early May. Thousands of writers have taken to the streets demanding higher wages and job security.
Jennings expressed to Deseret News of his decision to return during the ongoing strike, “Our last week of shows was already locked…We could be above board and just shoot the last week of scripts that had already been written.”
Although the show wrapped production in May, new episodes will not air until July 28.
Wil Wheaton, Bialik’s previous co-star on “Big Bang Theory,” slammed Jennings for crossing the picket line.
“This is a VERY small town, Ken Jennings, and we will all remember this,” he posted on Facebook. “Your privilege may protect you right now, but we will *never* forget.”
