Ken Jennings Will Be Back on "Jeopardy!" Much Sooner Than Expected
Here's when you can expect the former champion to replace co-host Mayim Bialik.
Following the death of longtime host Alex Trebek, Jeopardy! fans became divided as to who should take over his duties. After a series of guest hosts tried out for the job in 2021—and some drama played out with previously named permanent host Mike Richards—Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings were announced as the permanent hosts of Jeopardy! in July 2022 with the pair splitting the job throughout the season. But now, some Jeopardy! fans have been vocal about their desire for Jennings alone to host the show.
The former champion has already hosted most of the current 39th season, but with Bialik recently picking up the mantle, viewers are now wondering when Jennings will return. Read on to find out when producers say the fan favorite will be back.
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Bialik is currently hosting a special competition.
Season 39 of Jeopardy! kicked off in September 2022 with Jennings hosting. He continued hosting the primetime series until Feb. 17. On Monday, Feb. 20, Bialik began hosting the High School Reunion Tournament. Earlier this season, Bialik hosted Celebrity Jeopardy!.
The High School Reunion Tournament lasts three weeks and ends on March 9.
It was previously thought that Jennings might not be back until next season.
The Jan. 9 episode of the podcast Inside Jeopardy!—which is hosted by Jeopardy! producers Sarah Whitcomb Foss and Michael Davies and former Jeopardy! champion Buzzy Cohen—revealed that Jennings would be hosting in January and early February, and that Bialik would begin hosting the High School Reunion Tournament on Feb. 20.
The podcasts hosts didn't say what would happen after that, however. They did note that the original plan was for Bialik to start hosting in January, but that her schedule with her sitcom Call Me Kat prevented this.
The U.S. Sun then reported that this meant Bialik would continue to host the regular show after the special tournament and that Jennings could be done until next season. The 40th season of the show will kick off in September.
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The producers announced his return date.
On a new episode of Inside Jeopardy!, which came out on Feb. 20, the hosts announced that Jennings would return to host the show after the High School Reunion Tournament is over. This means that he will return on March 10.
"Stephen Webb will return, along with Ken Jennings on March 10 in syndication," Whitcomb Foss shared. "We're looking forward to seeing if Stephen's streak can continue."
There's speculation about when he'll go off the air again.
There's no confirmation from the show yet on when Jennings make way for Bialik again, but a Twitter account dedicated to tracking the host's appearance has shared an alleged date.
On Feb. 16, the Twitter account @IsKenHosting claimed, "Another reminder that Ken Jennings will *not* be hosting Jeopardy! starting next Monday, Feb. 20 through Thursday, Mar. 9 as the show airs its High School Reunion Tournament. He'll return on Friday, Mar. 10 and that host stint is expected to last through at least April 14."
Best Life has reached out to Jeopardy! for comment on how long Jennings will be hosting this time around but has not yet received a response.
Many viewers want more Jennings and less Bialik.
A contingent of Jeopardy! fans have spoken out on social media about preferring Jennings to Bialik.
"Mayim is objectively not a good host. She's robotic and awkward and hard to watch after months of Ken, who has really leaned into the role," tweeted one viewer. Another wrote, "Wow, what a hard episode to watch! Mayim is just so horrible. #jeopardy when are you going to listen to your viewers?"
Someone else said of the actor and presenter, "Mayim is horrible as a host. #Jeopardy please give it up." Another Twitter user posted, "I can't deal with Mayim. Her interactions with the contestants are just so fake. Make it stop. #jeopardy"
Best Life Online received an email from one upset Jeopardy! fan, who simply stated, "Get Ken back or I don't watch."
