‘Jeopardy!’ Fans React As Ken Jennings Takes Over From Mayim Bialik Amid Writers Strike

Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik have switched on and off as Jeopardy! hosts for some time now, alternating between the usual, original program and themed iterations. The host position has been the subject of a lot of debate online, and as Jennings returns, some fans don’t want to see him depart again.

Bialik’s absence, this time, is from the ongoing writers strike. The protest began back in early May and has seen several shows halt production. Jeopardy! has been taped months in advance, alongside the strike, and Bialik has decided to not work, as doing so would have her “cross the picket line.”

Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings are split on the matter of the writers strike

Led by the Writers Guild of America (WGA), the ongoing strike is a labor dispute between the writers and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP). It is the largest interruption in American film and television since the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

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Bialik is a member of the Screen Actors Guild of America, another entertainment labor organization that has expressed support for the WGA strike. When Bialik abstained from her hosting duties, Jeopardy! had one more week of taping for season 39 before a hiatus. That’s when Jennings stepped in, performing that proverbial crossing of the picket line, to film the typical three episodes per day until the season would be complete.

Now, audiences are seeing a return to Jennings as host and are as equally divided as the two sides in the writers strike.

Fans offer mixed reactions as Ken Jennings returns

Jennings has been the subject of some criticism for working during the writers strike, rather than promoting the cessation of work reliant upon the writers. Criticism has come from fellow celebrities as well as Jeopardy! fans.

“I have missed Ken’s delivery but wish he hadn’t crossed the picket line,” one viewer said, “I respect Mayim joining the strike.”

Another mourned Bialik’s absence, saying, “We miss Mayim. #Jeopardy.”

Others, however, are glad that Jennings returned and don’t want to see him leave again. “Can we just make Ken Jennings the permanent Jeopardy host already?!” one fan urged. “He’s way more personable than Mayim Bialik.”

A different viewer agreed, “Ken Jennings is soooo much better than Mayim Bialik as Jeopardy host. Please don’t let her back on the air.” Another took issue with the “somewhat delayed response” that Bialik has when a contestant gives an answer.

How do you hope this plays out?

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