Should ‘Jeopardy!’ Continue to Split Hosting Duties? (POLL)
To co-host or not to co-host, that is the Jeopardy! question. Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik have been splitting Jeopardy! co-hosting duties for about one year. Jennings hosts the main show, and the Call Me Kat star hosts the various specials (she will also host the Celebrity Jeopardy! spinoff this fall).
Backstage at the 2022 Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, June 24, executive producer Michael Davies said the game show is hoping to announce a new permanent Jeopardy! host “very, very soon.” But should there be one permanent host? Has this year of shared hosting captured the hearts of viewers?
Fans have already proven themselves outspoken on this matter. Pressure from viewers made producer Mike Richards lose his permanent hosting gig after past offensive comments of his surfaced online. And viewers have already shared who they think should be the full-time host between Jennings and Bialik in a previous TV Insider Jeopardy! poll. The winner? Jennings.
But there’s one more person who, because of certain social media activity, fans think may have already been cast as the permanent Jeopardy! host or will at least return for more specials. Buzzy Cohen made waves when the 2017 Tournament of Champions winner shared a cryptic tweet making people think he got the coveted job.
After the game show fan account BuzzerBlog tweeted, “100% prepared to be wrong but still not totally believing that the Mayim-hosts-primetime-Jeopardy thing is still here. If that was still a thing I feel like the many press releases talking about Celebrity Jeopardy would have mentioned her by now,” on June 17, Cohen replied with a Yoda GIF that says, “No, there is another.”
The next day, Cohen shared another mysterious tweet that had fans questioning. “Shout out to the camera guys on [as yet unannounced project] for convincing me to get a picopresso from @wacaco_ltd – cannot wait to get this thing going!!!” he wrote.
Between Jennings, Bialik, and Cohen, we want to know who you would choose. And the answer could very well be none of them. Do you want things to say the same? Do you want two hosts, but new ones? What about Cohen as the full-time host? Share your thoughts on whether Jeopardy! should continue splitting hosting duties in the poll, below.
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The most "split" I'd be able to handle is one-host-per-version. But Ken really deserves the everyday episodes. There is no need to continue rotating between him and Mayim on those shows, particularly when the talent differential is so staggering in his favor.
61 2
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When Mayim inevitably doesn't get the main role, I know for sure that she will chalk it up to internalized gender discrimination, religious bigotry, etc. and not anything upon which she could have personally improved. Her go-to for criticism is that it's always somebody else's fault. I wanted to give her a chance to grow into the role, but her attitude is so insufferable.
33 4
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There needs to be an option for "Ken Jennings and Buzzy Cohen." Just dump Miyam altogether.
25 1
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What's striking and might end up being the ultimate dealbreaker is the affinity that contestants have for Ken. I can't think of a single one who has come out and admitted that they want Mayim as a host, whereas the opposite is true with Ken, particularly with high-profile champions like Amy and Mattea. With Ken, they get to impress a bona-fide trivia legend in the same vain as they tried to do the same in front of Alex.
24 2
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If not Ken, then Buzzy. He gets Jeopardy in a way that Blossom still doesn’t.
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Ken Jennings gets my vote for Host of the everyday program he has proven to be the best person for the job over and over again, get someone else for the specials. This is a no brainer the program will do well with Ken as the host.
24 3
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Definitely no splitting. It gives me the uneasy feeling that everything is still up in the air - still in limbo. I'm overjoyed that Ken is in the lead. I've never been fond of Mayim. In the beginning, when Buzzy did his short stint as host I always thought he would be perfect for tournament and other special games.
All that aside......... The people have spoken! Ken Jennings is clearly the winner as regular host!
23 4
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Why are we relitigating this? Ken won the poll in a landslide last time and the ratings have only fallen since he’s left. You don’t keep rerunning polls until you achieve an alternate result!
17 1
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I could get on board with Ken for one version and Buzzy for the other, or Ken for both. I agree that alternating hosts for the same version is not working. Mayim Bialik is truly awful and needs to be in our rearview mirrors when it comes to Jeopardy. She’s unwatchable—literally. I don’t watch when she’s hosting. She ruins the show. Hosts are supposed to facilitate, not distract. She is awkward and inappropriate and hasn’t shown any sign of being able to improve.
17 3
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Ken definitely has grown into the role of host. He keeps the game at a good pace, is polished and relates well to contestants. There is no hesitation or self serving comments which is annoying in Mayim.
17 3
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Yeah. Most boring host! Will never watch again if he gets it.
2 17
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Win/win for us.
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Congratulations, Susan. As evidenced by the current results of this poll, you are among the 3% of people who prefers Mayim. You are outnumbered by the 90% who want Ken.
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I don’t watch very much when Mayim hosts. She’s not polite and makes many mistakes. I know she is smart but smart mouth doesn’t work for me. The stars should be be the question and contestants. Mayim wants to be the star.
16 3
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Ahhh. That would be me watching boring Ken. Like watching paint dry.
1 24
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Ken, like Alex, lets the contestants and the game take the spotlight. Mayim wants to be in front of all that with her posturing, gestures and arch facial expressions.
12 1
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OMG! I've been scrambling for the right adjective to describe her mannerisms, arch is the perfect word! Thank you.
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Watching paint dry leads to a satisfying result. Watching Mayim host Jeopardy leads to disappointment and a bad taste in one's mouth.
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If Buzzy is only trailing Mayim by a few percentage points despite hosting a tiny fraction as much as she has, then it's pretty obvious that the public's faith in Mayim taking this job is weak.
15 2
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Hahaha. This poll is always filled with Ken trolls who vote over and over. Get a clue!
2 15
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B
There should be an option for "no host" as well so that Mayim can also find herself less popular than that choice.
15 2
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Please give us Jennings as permanent host, he is the best
Cohen the second choice
14 1
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C
In a process that has provided equal (and ample) opportunity, Ken deserves the job.
14 1
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Bialik’s people must have hired a click farm because the Ken option went from 93% to 90% in one hour. 😂
12
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I wonder how much she's paying to try to buy her way in?
8 1
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Sorry Pat. NOT a true poll. Ken at 90%? Haha. What a joke!! I voted twice!
1 27
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Doesn't that make you a hypocrite?
13 1
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What's your salary for fighting a hopeless cause? How humiliating!
6 1
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Promoting conspiracies about the voting? I guess we all know who Susan voted for in 2020! 😆
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You voted twice (as I assume other cheaters did) and Blossom’s approval rating is still only in single digits. Remind me: what’s your point?
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I'd prefer she not do any but I'd settle for your relegating her to the occasional prime time specials. Please not Celebrity Jeopardy because she'd fight the celebs for attention. Buzzy for Celebrity Jeopardy.
12
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I think Ken Jennings is the best host. If you have a second for special events, let it be Buzzy Cohen. I do not like Mayim at all. She can’t stop shaking her head around and she acts like a know it all.
12
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If there is a hierarchy, then Ken and Buzzy are at the top. I personally slightly prefer Ken but realistically would be happy with either of them. Mayim would rank as a distant third.
10 1
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Buzzy shares her religion and people love him.
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Buzzy is actually likable and good at his craft.
7
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I agree. It's Mayim herself that is the problem.
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Here before the army of Mayim stans complains that this poll is rigged because it didn’t go her way. The option to have her as the only host is in last place with 1% of the vote as of my writing this comment.
9
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Another poll, another resounding victory for Ken. It looks like the fans are more in touch with reality than the executives.
10 2
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Ignore this paid MB shill.
8
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Alex would be happy to see either Ken or Buzzy waiting in the wings. He'd be disappointed by Mayim.
11 3
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Not true. Alex was rooting for a WOMAN to replace him. FACT!
1 22
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Alex posed a list of potential successors and one of them happened to be a woman. He never said that the host HAD to be one, just that the possibility should remain. I would have liked to see one as well, but it’s obvious there are more competent women than Mayim as evidenced by the several female guest hosts from last season.
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Yep. Brooke Burns, Robin Roberts, Sara Haines, Jane Lynch, the list goes on. All would have left MN eating their dust.
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Interesting. I heard that Alex showed a lot of support for Ken to succeed him. But what we know for sure is that Alex very much wanted Jeopardy to continue without him and participated in discussions about his replacement.. He would never have supported choosing a silly, giggling, simpering, narcissistic, incompetent host of either gender. Choosing Mayim Bialik only hurts women because it sends the message that if we want a woman this is the best they can do.
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Buzzy would be best, Ken second best, Mayim should be nowhere near Jeopardy.
16 8
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Wow, if you halved Ken’s support and doubled Mayim’s in the poll, he would still be favored to her 45% to 6%.
7
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The "art piece" is particularly repulsive. Yikes!
7
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I can't believe that the folks who vote for MB have bothered to google her personal comments and behavior. The subway incident, her "art piece", her attitude toward assault victims etc. I'm not woke, but I'm not asleep either.
8 1
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The poll questions were too general. My vote is for Ken to host daily syndicated Jeopardy and the Tournament of Champions. If Mayim’s agent negotiated a sweet long term contract for her last year, she’s ok for special events on the network and the some of the other specialty tournaments the daily show airs…or used to air.
Ken is the guy for the real day to day Jeopardy job. Unlike Mayim (who often seems to wait for the judges to signal a response is correct) Ken actually knows the answers. Too often Mayim seems like a passenger called upon to fly a plane and does so with the control tower talking her through every step…maybe because they are.
Ken hosts like the all-time Jeopardy champion he is.
I like Mayim in other entertainment things she does and am ok with her hosting special event Jeopardy, which isn’t must-watch for me the way the daily show is. I think Jeopardy’s producers are on-board with Ken, they watch the ratings. They’re likely been sorting through contract issues this season.
Mayim is currently doing a looong stretch of episodes-a few months worth. Jeopardy is a business for Sony, so (perhaps): tease Ken hard as the new permanent host with well placed publicity in early spring -then have Mayim host the rest of the season till summer break (hosting that her contract guarantees payment for whether she does it or not). Then have Ken take over the daily show when the new season starts in September.
8 2
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This splitting the Hosting duties has lowered my enjoyment of the game. Please choose one host for the show!
6
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Ken Jennings is most fitted to be the host. By far more intelligent and charismatic. We love Ken.
5
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Please put Ken Jennings back on, he is the best and Alex would approve!
4
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I am not a fan of Mayim's hosting on Jeapardy because she painfully long reaction to correct answers. She has the answers in front of her and can't seem to react to the contestants answers quickly. I like her and thought she would be a good host but this is painful on a daily basispag
5 1
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That's probably her idea of a dramatic pause giving her control .
8
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Exactly, her sense of self importance is nauseating.
5
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Ken Jennings should be the ONLY host!!!!!
6 2
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Since Ken was leading Mayim by 90%, I figured I would give Mayim a pity vote. But my real life choice would be Ken and it's not even close.
6 2
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My vote goes to Ken for everyday Host, someone else for specials, Ken will bring the program to great things.
4
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Make Ken the permanent host. He is the one most deserving one.
4 1
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Until Mayim can dress like a host with clothes that match in colors, she has no business being on the show. The jack every night is a bit distracting taking away from the show. In my opinion a VERY poor dresser.
5 3
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HOW do I change my vote? It says I voted for Mayim when I meant to vote for KEN
2 1
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When Mayim comes back I will quit watching she annoying..
Ken more professional better personality.
My favorite show but can't watch it while she on there she needs to go back to acting.
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I LIKE BOTH KEN AND MAYIM . LET THEM SHARE. I PREFER MAYIM, SHE IS A GOOD "FIT" FOR THE SHOW !
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Ken is the best and deserves to be host.
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B
What makes most sense is, Ken Jennings does the regular show, Buzzy can do Celebrity Jeopardy and Mayim does the rest of the prime time stuff (since she agreed to that last summer). I’m actually good with either Ken or Mayim as next host. But, with Call me Kat getting renewed (for a possible 22 episodes), I’m not sure Mayim has the time to do the tv show and be permanent host.
3 4
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A
I'm sure the producers will make a fine pick for "Jeopardy!" host, whoever he/she is.
2
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If there's anybody I have a lack of trust in, it's the producers. They bungled this decision up since Alex's untimely passing and have been making wrong decision after wrong decision ever since.
2
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So men wear jacks but no for females.
1 9
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She dresses like an office manager on a Tuesday. She has no sense of occasion.
7
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Ken does not speak clearly hard to understand. Mayim does a good job and is easy to understand. I vote for Mayim
1 16
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Well it’s a darn good thing every single clue is legibly written on the screen for you!
12
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I've understood him just fine on Jeopardy, Master Minds and The Chase, maybe it's you.
8
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Wow! If I’d known the only qualification was the ability to enunciate clearly, I’d have applied for the job. Silly me. I thought there was a lot more to the job.
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I can live with Ken. At first he was stiff and I was saying Oh No but he has improved so much. So put him on for daytime and keep Mayim for specials. I really like her and hope she is kept on for somethings.
1 16
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Mayim's attitude is fine. Very humble and pleasant. Ken is the one with the attitude issue. He is so full of himself and that makes it hard to watch him. He does a very good job of hosting the show but so does Mayim and I prefer her personality much more.
8 29
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Just the opposite for me. She is condescending, posturing, and fake. It's as though she's playing a game show host in an amateur theatrical.
15
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HUMBLE???????????? She's so egotistical she makes Joy Behar seem shy?
6 1
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Amazing how so many people seem to think this job should go to a WHITE MAN. It’s 2022 people!!
23
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And why shouldn't it? You want a person of color for a game show host? You have Wayne Brady, Anthony Anderson, Michael Strahan, Jamie Foxx, Niecy Nash, Steve Harvey etc. all hosting game shows and most are in prime time. As for women hosts you have Jane Lynch, Sara Haines, Brooke Burns, Niecy Nash, Leah Remini, Meredith Vieira etc. when is enough enough for you?
14 1
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SJWs are not seeking equality, they want supremacy.
10
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It doesn’t do women any favors to have an incompetent host like Mayim Bialik. The fact that she is a woman may be the ONLY reason she’s in the running at all. As a woman, I find that offensive. Meredith Vieira, Jane Lynch, Sara Haines are all knocking it out of the park in their hosting duties. Mayim Bialik is just an embarrassment and is ruining the show.
12 1
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P
Heartfelt applause for everything you said!
12
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O
Absolutely continue with both. I especially like it when Mayim is hosting! Ken always has an air about him that comes off as he thinks he is s superior. So keep both so we are all happy.
1 30
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B
If Jennings is hosting I'm done watching jeopardy, he's boring 😴
1 33
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R
Maybe Jeopardy is not your cup of tea then. It doesn’t require jokes and cutesy side comments every once in a while to spice things up. I’d suggest switching to Let’s Make a Deal if you’re into that. DVR it in the morning and play the recording during Jeopardy.
19
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Your penchant for alliteration gives you away Sunshine, aka Summerrose, aka Susan.
5
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TV Insider poll lets you vote over and over. Not scientific and FILLED by Ken trolls just like last time. NO poll has shown Ken Jennings anywhere near 90 %. That should be your first clue.
1 37
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Cope and seethe
7
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Meanwhile, you are upvoting your own comments as if there are people who support what you say.
13
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Give it a rest Mayim, you lose.
16
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Then why are you losing votes by such a margin?
10
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I think Mayim is an intellectually, exciting, happy host and I find she makes it even more fun to watch Jeopardy.
2 38
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She's a dumpster fire, Gary.
9
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I have spent no time watching dumpster fires so I will defer to your expertise.
I spend a lot of time enjoying Mayim as host of Jeopardy. (They do call her the host and Jeopardy
would not lie.)
She's a joy Cameron.
5
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G
There's no accounting for taste, apparently yours is in the minority. They call her the host because she insists on it, her ego is her first priority.
4 1
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