‘Jeopardy!’ Bosses Reveal Hosting News & Big New Tournament

Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings hosting Jeopardy!
Jeopardy, Inc

Jeopardy! producers have shed some light on the show’s upcoming schedule, including when co-host Mayim Bialik is expected back and a new tournament.

Speaking on Monday’s (January 9) edition of the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, producer Sarah Foss said, “We know there’s been a lot of discussion around our hosting schedule. We want to let you know when you can watch Mayim, [and] when you can watch Ken [Jennings] in the coming months.”

The Call Me Kat star was originally scheduled to be back in the New Year, as Jennings was expected to finish his current run at the end of December. However, the former Jeopardy! super-champ continues to host new episodes as of writing.

“Ken will be hosting in January and into February before Mayim comes in to host our High School Reunion tournament,” Foss explained. “That’s the one where we’re very excited to welcome back 18 teen tournament contestants from Season 35, now in college.”

That isn’t the only tournament the Jeopardy! producers have planned, though. During Monday’s podcast, executive producer Michael Davies teased Jeopardy! Masters, which would bring back some of the game show’s most elite-level contestants, with Davies name-checking the likes of Amy Schneider, Matt Amodio, and Mattea Roach.

“It really did strike me that we have these pro-level, elite-level players,” Davies stated. “I know sometimes you get tired of them and want to see new players…[But] I just look at the ratings, and when we have a super champion in the mix and playing against each other, the quality, ratings, and social media is off the charts.”

This tournament isn’t just a pipe dream, as Davies assured fans that he will get it up and running. “We’re going to make Jeopardy! Masters happen,” he said. “We’re far enough along to say that it is going to be real,” he continued, adding that he wants “Masters to be an annual event… The pinnacle event, the top of the pyramid of all of Jeopardy!”

However, this is not the first time the show has attempted a Masters competition. In 2002, the show aired Jeopardy! Million Dollar Masters, held in honor of the 4,000th episode. It saw 15 former fan-favorite contestants return to compete in a two-week, three-round format.

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  1. R

    RedSushi

    Ken is a much better host. I will not watch if he is not hosting.

    34 2

  2. P

    PurpleCar

    I remember not so long as a few months back when Ken trounced Mayim in a poll for who should take over the show. Something like 80% to 20%. Why change the formula that works and what the vast majority of audiences want? You can't help but wonder if somebody is pulling the strings to veer Sony in this direction.

    31 3

    1. B

      BlueCone

      I love Ken

      7 2

  3. B

    Blue8Ball

    Thanks at least for the heads up Mike. This means I can tune out on February 20. Davies ruined the show by hiring this unqualified person.

    34 8

  4. R

    RedWrench

    I will not watch if Mayim is hosting.

    25 6

  5. B

    BlueRadio

    This hosting hullaballoo could have all been avoided if the show just stuck to its original plan of one host for the syndicated show and another for primetime. But Mayim doesn't want you to forget that she exists. She's got to rival Steve Harvey for who's on mute in American doctor's offices for most hours of the day. More self inflicted wounds by Sony that they will remember once the ratings are released.

    21 4

  6. K

    Kelly Wilson

    Damn. I was hoping against hope that Bialik would simply disappear. For good. I won't watch Jeopardy! with her pretending to be a host.

    17 1

  7. G

    GoldBlowdryer

    I think when mayim is hosting I'll find something else to do. Sorry Sony but you did ask and we did tell you. Mayim adds nothing to the game except maybe those awkward pauses when she is waiting for someone to tell her the right answer.

    16 1

  8. G

    GreenBone

    Glad Ken will be around longer!!

    He's great! Not a big fan of the other tournaments (except the annual T oc C).

    Celebrity Jeopardy is pretty awful 😖

    14 1

  9. P

    PurpleBug

    Celebrity Jeopardy left such a bad taste in my mouth and Jennings is so perfect as host that I'm not sure I can bear watching when she takes over again and he's gone- for the rest of the Season?!? No, I can't even watch Celebrity Jeopardy, and this is bad for the show, this flip-flopping and the daily drama that would be further fed in the media.

    12 1

  10. C

    CyanWeights

    I think Ken Jennings should Definitely remain Jeopardy host. Mayim doesn’t due the show justice. She should.

    stick to comedy or a scientist as she likes to remind us many times of her PHD. No one really cares! I think

    Ken is great and Alex would be quite pleased!!! Please let’s have continuity. Our family will not watch Mayim.

    11 1

  11. C

    CyanTag

    My wife and I decided not to watch if Mayim is hosting. Let her stay with "her people" and Ken host the regular daily show. He adds so much more to the show and it run so much more smoothly.

    9

  12. G

    GoldCorn

    Mayim? Schneider? Again?? Egads!

    Altho I would love to watch the High School Reunion tournament I will pass because of who's hosting. In fact, it may be time to ditch Jeopardy completely, after 37 yrs of watching every episode!

    11 3

  13. O

    OrangePopcorn

    When Mayim hosts Jeopardy, I will not be watching the show. I'll be back when Ken is back!!

    7

  14. B

    BlueTooth

    Ken is a way better host! I dont watch when he is not hosting.

    7

  15. G

    GreenBulb

    I think Ken should definitely remain the host of Jepardy! You will lose many viewers if Ken leaves.

    8 1

  16. G

    GreenGoggles

    KEN JENNINGS IS THE BEST ALL THE WAY!!

    8 1

  17. G

    GreenBone

    Also, I would like to see Buzzy replace bialik for the T of C. Couldn't care less what happens with celebrity jeopardy.

    7 1

  18. G

    GreenBone

    Also, I'd love to see Buzzy replace Bialik for the tournaments. Couldn't care less about what happens to Celebrity Jeopardy.

    7 1

  19. B

    BlueGrapes

    I'm not watching if Bialik is host. She's absolutely awful. Davies needs to recheck his quality, ratings, and social media when she is hosting and see how far his numbers fall.

    4

  20. O

    OrangeRaindrop

    I think Ken should remain as the only host for Jeopardy.Dont care for Mayim at all,acts like a knowitall!

    3

  21. O

    OrangeCoathanger

    I like Mayim but quite honestly I'm tired of seeing Amy Schneider and Mattea Roach. And didn't we just have a tournament of champions where we had them and many more??? Bring back the college kids and let these others move on--they don't need to earn any more money!!! (Unless they are going to donate their winnings to charity!!!

    7 4

    1. C

      CyanWeights

      I totally agree with you!! Celebrity Jeopardy is a joke! I have not watched it and will not. Have some new

      Players like college students not Amy and Mattea who have won enough!!!!

  22. C

    CyanRaindrop

    I won't be watching anytime Mayim is hosting. Sorry. I assume she's a nice person but just an annoying one as far as I'm concerned.

    1

  23. P

    PurpleRing

    Just keep Ken he’s a perfect fit!

    1

  24. G

    GreenCarrot

    Get rid of her! Jennings is a jackpot for Jeopardy! She is annoying. Let her go back to acting 👎🏻

  25. G

    GreenElephant

    I love Mayim!

  26. O

    OliveChefHat

    I prefer Mayim to Ken because he seems like a "stick" at times. However, of late, he seems more comfortable and more positive and upbeat. To me, having two hosts is fine. Ann

    1

  27. J

    Jena

    Who cares who hosts? The host is not the 'star' of Jeopardy, or why most people watch it.

    And, a "high school reunion" tournament? What's next, a College Athlete Tournament?

    1

  28. P

    PurpleSubmarine

    I’d much rather see Mayim host! Ken is so full of himself and makes lots of mistakes. Mayim is more upbeat and cheery, more likeqble. Ken is snobby!

    5 21

  29. P

    PurpleAnchor

    Yes I agree Stem, I am not a Ken fan! He does ruin the show.

    6 28

    1. B

      BlueBox

      How much did the ADL pay you to say this?

      7 2

      1. P

        PurpleAnchor

        Nothing Actually. Everyone has a right to their own personal opinion. I like Ken Jennings in small doses but not full time. I can state my own opinion?

        Are you offering payment? 🙂

        2 7

        1. E

          Eric H

          It's like that around here any time you say anything pro-Mayim or even praising both.

          3