Jeopardy! fans don’t hold back when it comes to their preferred host, staunchly supporting either Ken Jennings or Mayim Bialik. The duo has been splitting the duties since July 2022, when production named them as official co-hosts and successors to the late Alex Trebek. For the past several weeks, Bialik has been behind the podium, quizzing contestants in the Jeopardy! High School Reunion Tournament. Tonight, Jennings is taking over once again, much to the delight of his fanbase. But how long will he be hosting? Read on to find out when he’s taking off and Bialik’s returning.
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During a Feb. 27 episode of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, producer Sarah Foss confirmed Jennings’ return—and announced how long you’ll be able to watch him.
“Ken Jennings will be back on March 10, and then he’s going to continue the rest of his syndicated run, which will take us through April 28,” Foss said.
Jennings’ fans will savor the next seven weeks, but Bialik’s supporters can take comfort in knowing she’s set to return this season.
“Mayim will take over on May 1, and she will take us all the way through the summer,” Foss said.
Many devoted Jeopardy! viewers stand firm on who they like watching every night, with some writing that they don’t tune in when their preferred host isn’t on.
“Great! I’ll put it on my calendar for when I can resume watching @Jeopardy again,” a viewer wrote in response to the news about Ken’s return, tweeted by the @IsKenHosting account.
Another Bialik fan wrote, “Ken Jennings is a Terrible Host! [In my personal opinion] I don’t watch when he is hosting.”
Still, those who prefer Jennings are eagerly awaiting tonight’s broadcast. “We are very much looking forward to Ken returning to host Jeopardy!” a March 6 tweet reads.
Another Twitter user echoed this, writing that they “really wish it were all Ken, all the time.”
Bialik has her fair share of critics, with many stating that they’re ready for her to take a break. “Jeopardy, stop trying to make Mayim happen. It’s not going to happen.” a fan tweeted on Feb. 27.
“It’s clear Bialik is not cut out for this,” another wrote. “No flow, the long pauses between yes/no, the abrupt way of answering.”
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As with all debates, there are two sides, and some fans do prefer Bialik. “We love Mayim!” a viewer wrote on March 2. “We thought she was going to host [Jeopardy] for this segment and are disappointed to hear Ken will be back for a slot in the middle. Why not just keep Mayim there?”
“I love Mayim!!!!” another excited fan wrote. “Hopefully the alternating schedules continue.”
Yet another added, “My husband and I LOVE LOVE LOVE MAYIM and make a point to watch her when she’s hosting. Love her kind vibe!”
Others argue that much of the pushback against Bialik is misogynistic. “Mayim does a great job hosting. Some folks just can’t deal with a woman hosting a game show. I look forward to the Mayim shows,” a fan wrote.
While Jennings’ last Jeopardy! appearance this season is scheduled for April 28, there’s certainly a chance that could get extended. After all, Bialik’s return this year was seriously delayed.
Although she was originally scheduled to start hosting again in January, Bialik didn’t actually step behind the podium again until the High School Reunion Tournament, which began Feb. 20.
“Originally, we did think Mayim was going to come back in January,” Foss said during a Jan. 9 episode of Inside Jeopardy! “Her Call Me Kat schedule, it evolved, so we are seeing her a little later than we had anticipated. But not for any lack of wanting to have both of our hosts on the show as much as possible—just scheduling. Mayim is a busy, busy woman! We’re excited, though, to have her back.”
With that in mind, it’s possible that Bialik’s scheduled return date of May 1 could change.
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Fans in Jennings’ camp will be happy to learn that he’ll be doing even more hosting soon: He’s also set to host the all-new Jeopardy! Masters series, producers confirmed during a Jan. 16 episode of Inside Jeopardy! Later this year, elite champions will compete over the course of 10 one-hour shows (playing two half-hour games), with Jennings firing off the questions.
On Jan. 11, the show confirmed that Jeopardy! icons Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, Mattea Roach, Andrew He, Sam Buttrey, and James Holzhauer will be the six icons facing off.
“Look at this Jeopardy! Masters lineup,” Jennings tweeted on Jan. 11. “I’m glad I’m hosting and not playing.”
Formal airdates for the new spin-off tournament have yet to be announced, but according to the Twitter account @IsKenHosting, taping is set to begin soon.
Hosting plans have yet to be been confirmed for Season 40 of the regular Jeopardy! season, which will kick off in the fall.