FORMER Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik did not anticipate being fired from the game show, according to a new bombshell report.
The Big Bang Theory actress was abruptly let go last month, leaving former champion Ken Jennings as the sole host.
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Mayim, 48, left the game show in May 2023 in solidarity with Hollywood strikes but had plans to return once the strikes were resolved.
However, a new report from The Messenger suggests that her firing was not a mutual decision.
A source told the outlet: “Mayim was notified right before the end of the year that she wasn’t coming back.
“She was hoping to come back, but now looking forward to her next chapter at this time.”
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Mayim is “already in the process of moving on from the game show,” the outlet added.
Their source claimed that she will continue putting out her Bialik’s Breakdown podcast and “has other projects that will be announced soon.”
The new report would explain why her firing caught co-host Ken “off guard.”
“It took me off guard, because I loved working with my Mayim and I’m gonna miss her. I can’t speak to her decision-making process or her opinions about it,” Ken told The Hollywood Reporter.
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“But on my end, I’m just a fan of Jeopardy! and I’m always delighted to host when they call upon me. I just feel extremely lucky to have even been considered for this job as a non-broadcaster.”
BYE-ALIK
On December 15, the sitcom star announced that she was fired from Jeopardy! personally on Instagram.
Mayim captioned her post: “Jeopardy! announcement.”
“As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she began.
“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!.”
The actress went on: “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Jeopardy! family.”
“For all of you who have supported me through this journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff of America’s favorite quiz show, thank you.”
Mayim has since removed “co-host @jeopardy” from her Instagram bio.
She was named co-host with former champion Ken in 2022, after a scandalous host hunt and following Alex Trebek‘s tragic death in 2020.
‘ONE HOST’
About an hour later, the official Jeopardy! Instagram page confirmed the news.
“Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated [or nightly] version of Jeopardy!,” the post started out.
“We have made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers.
They went on to say that Ken, 49, will be the sole host of the show.
“We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to work with her in the future on primetime specials,” the game show wrote.
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DECISION AXE-PLAINED
Jeopardy! is yet to give further details on the abrupt axe, but other reports have come out about what went wrong for the star.
Mayim backed out of filming the final week of Jeopardy! Season 39 on May 2 when the Writers Guild of America went on strike, leaving Ken to host on his own.
Sources have claimed Mayim’s monthlong hiatus while still under contract was a reason behind her firing.
A report from Puck News claimed that the executive producers were “furious” when she walked out.
The report also highlights two additional factors influencing the decision.
First, Bialik’s reception on set was less than favorable, and second, Sony had to scramble around shooting schedules last season to accommodate her since-canceled Fox sitcom Call Me Kat.
According to TMZ, producers also decided they didn’t need to hosts as Ken “improved his hosting skills” while Mayim was away.
According to Puck News, Mayim was offered “the chance to stay on for the rest of this season, but she said no thanks.”
She was also offered to still host primetime specials, as in Celebrity Jeopardy!.
However, according to TMZ, Mayim allegedly pushed back, insisting on an “all or nothing” approach.
In essence, she didn’t want to be confined to only hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! and not the nightly show.
But Sony said no, and in response: “Mayim released her statement Friday without consulting Sony.”
Meanwhile it’s no secret that Mayim faced relentless backlash for her hosting chops from fans while she did host.
There were criticisms of Mayim’s “pauses” before ruling on questions, and a producer also shared they asked her to change her behavior while hosting.
The actress even confessed to getting insults in person: “Sometimes I get ‘We don’t prefer you to Ken,'” she shared on her Bialik Breakdown podcast.
In addition, during her time off, Mayim posted political content that fans felt blurred the lines of impartiality.
Each host was reportedly making $4M a year though that figure is expected to increase now for Ken.
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