‘Jeopardy!’ Champ James Holzhauer Mocks Show’s Host Fiasco
On the day it was announced that Ryan Seacrest would be the new host of Wheel of Fortune, James Holzhauer made his feelings clear about Jeopardy! having two hosts and the long drawn-out process that went into the decision.
The Jeopardy! Masters winner mocked the show that turned him into a star in a stinging tweet.
Holzhauer went public with his views about Jeopardy! splitting hosting duties between Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik after it was revealed that Wheel of Fortune bosses had picked Seacrest to succeed Pat Sajak.
Many were surprised at how quickly Wheel had decided who would replace veteran host Sajak, who only announced he was quitting the show on June 12.
The smooth transition of hosts at Wheel wasn’t lost on Holzhauer who was quick to make a comparison with the fiasco that played out at Jeopardy! when the show needed to find a new host after Alex Trebek‘s untimely death in November 2020.
Jeopardy! bosses decided to try out a succession of guest hosts including Katie Couric, Anderson Cooper, LeVar Burton, Aaron Rodgers and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
Eventually, in August 2021 the show’s then executive producer Mike Richards was announced as the new host, along with Mayim Bialik. But within days Richards was gone after a string of controversies. James Holzhauer went public with his views on the ousted show chief. Eventually, in September 2021 Jeopardy! bosses settled on Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik sharing hosting duties, a scenario that many of the show’s fans don’t like to this day.
Perhaps it was no surprise then when James Holzhauer went on Twitter after Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s successor and joked about how Wheel of Fortune “went about it all wrong.” He branded Jeopardy! guest hosts “an endless parade of temps” then couldn’t resist poking fun at the decision to first name Richards as host, then split the job between Jennings and Bialik.
Wheel of Fortune went about this all wrong
First you subject the contestants and viewers to an endless parade of temps who don’t prepare before hosting
Then the producer in charge of the search says “Actually, *I* would be the perfect host”
Then “jk we have two hosts now” pic.twitter.com/7pj55RFeg6
— James Holzhauer (@James_Holzhauer) June 27, 2023
Fans were quick to agree with Holzhauer in his twitter feed.
“Perfectly on point!!!” said one.
“Love it!!” said another.
“Savage!” said a third.
“They should have made you host” added a fourth.
Meanwhile one fan declared: “I was hoping Mayim would be named host of Wheel of Fortune.”
And another added: “Perfectly put James!! Where’s all the drama Wheel of Fortune??”
Let us know what you think of Holzhauer’s tweet in the comments section below, and keep checking back to TV Insider for all the latest Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune news.
Conversation105 Comments
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Jeopardy has made a mess of the whole selection process. If it wasn’t so unprofessional it might be funny.
It is still tiresome with the 2 hosts. Put Jennings on and let’s get on with it. The show at this point has become a joke in regard to selecting a host.
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NO WAY!
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Jeopardy would be best served naming Ken as the sole host. He has a much better stage presence than Mayim (yes the irony is not missed on that take).
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I agree Ken is better
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I like Mayim so much more. I imagine Ken as a 5 year old with a sailor's suit on. He's way too squeaky clean. She seems much more normal and just an everyday, unpretentious sort. Someone I'd like to know. Great personality and smile. The whole process has been morbid. The selection should have taken one day. Alex was an elderly man with known pancreatic cancer. We all knew for months he was terminal.
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I agree she’s very good.
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I vote for Ken as permanent host..much better and less smug..Mayim does not have the personality..sorry nothing against her but my opinion.
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Less smug? . Ken is the most arrogant airhead after James. Give James and Ken a boot please!
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Ken and James have won, what, a combined ~150 games of Jeopardy? Mayim doesn't even know the names of the Supreme Court justices. If anybody is unqualified to participate in this show from a knowledge perspective, it's pretty obviously Mayim.
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Ken has earned his arrogance, Mayim makes some extremely snarky,arrogant comments I feel(as an actress, who's never been in the other side of the buzzer) hasn't earned the snark she brings,yes, the original host was much the same, but he earned the validity of his arrogant comments with decades of hosting experience.
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Ken Jennings does not have the pleasant voice of a good jeopardy host. Bialik speaks more clearly
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I like Mayim, but if I have to pick one it has to be Jennings. Bottom line, he's the GOAT. Forget James. He has a personality problem and no where near the gentleman Ken is.
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I agree with James. Jeopardy wasted way too much time parading wanna-be hosts when they should have just given Ken the job to begin with, no Bialik. Def wouldn't want her to host & ruin WOF either. She needs to go back to her sitcoms we dont watch & leave hosting alone. Ken is smart, quick, personable, knows what it feels like to be a contestant, for a LONG time at that. The show flows, unlike with Bialik.
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You all apparently don't realize that Ken does not want the damn job full time... & personally I don't blame him.
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Wrong choice. Ken should have been the only host.
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Ken all the way!!!
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All the way OUT of Jeopardy! Make Mayim the only host!
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NO WAY!
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I would rather see just ken Jennings as host. I like mayim bialik just fine, but she's just too flighty acting. I enjoy ken better. He's just more settled in and acts natural. Mayim seems she has to force it. I'm just sayin'.
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Jeopardy: Just Jennings!
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He’s like watching paint dry. NO WAY!
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Kay, notice you're the only one in the Mayim corner?
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Not really. I like both of them.
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I think anyone who won't watch Jeopardy because they don't like the person reading the clues is missing the point of watching the show.
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Ken Jennings is a superior host. He knows the answers even before the contestants. He is closely associated with “Jeopardy.” He is the logical choice.
Sharing host duties is ridiculous. It takes away from the “Jeopardy” which I have watched since its inception.
Nowadays, I do not even watch “Jeopardy” when Ken Jennings is not hosting. I watch a movie instead!
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I have not watched one episode of jeopardy since Mayim has appeared on the show . And I won't watch until I see is gone. Thus, I have not seen Wheel either. And it will stay that way. For me, Mayim just grates and due to scheduling.i don't watch either one.
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Guess they'll have to end the show without your support. No one should mention Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in the same breath. Like going from ridiculous to sublime. Sajak is a buffoon.
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Ken is back with the July 3 episode! (Yes, I put it in my calendar so I'd remember to watch it because I haven't turned it on since the host switch occurred earlier this spring.) If they'd made Ken the host from the beginning, I think there would be a lot less controversy.
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I’m TOTALLY with you. Miss Mayhem is an actress - almost - not a host
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Whatever James says or whatever anyone else comments, the 4.5 ratings share is indicative of the lowest ratings performance since LeVar Burton hosted during the summer Olympics a few years back. Mayim is not helping the show, and could be actively hurting it, once you accept that the numbers do the talking.
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She may have experience, but it experience with SCRIPTED programming. She is highly inept with unstructured commentary. Her demeanor is stilted and forced. She may be good as an actress (I don't know personally as I have never seen her in anything), but Jeopardy hosting is not her strong suit.
The whole hosting debacle is a study in what NOT to do!
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Mayim
doesn't even know how to smile and dresses like a past retired school teacher. She is sooo boring
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I totally agree with James!! I have watched Jeopardy for many many years but this hosting fiasco is ridiculous. I never used to miss a show. Now I Never watch unless it’s Ken Jennings hosting. Put Bialik out to pasture PLEASE!!!!
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Put YOU out to pasture! Love Mayim!
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Like you, I'm a long time Jeopardy fan & now only watch when Ken is hosting. Can not stomach Ms Know-it-all Mahem!
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Agree, She is not a host and never will be, she’s an actress and not a very good one at that so she should stick to one area.
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That's weird I never watch unless myriam is hosting. I like her realness
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Let's cut the drama; just give it to Ken. He's just better......
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Definitely Ken of course! Bialik is ..let's just say not good.
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Please put Ken on as the sole host.
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Maybe Ken doesn't want that much of a load. I'm told he has several other projects. Mayim has grown on me though. But Ken is the GOAT and James, you aren't! Maybe try getting in a checkers tournament.
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Jeopardy's not going to be around very much longer due to all the changes they're making behind the scenes. The viewers are going to get fed up, if they're not already.
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An old song favorite of mine is “Let’s Do It Over Again” or something close to those words. So of the lyrics say “turn back the hands of time and roll back the sands of time, let’s do it over again.” Would that it could be done with Jeopardy.
First mistake: Having many guest hosts.
Second. : Giving viewers a vote
Third. : Have 2 hosts
When the second mistake was made, you turned more power over to the viewers than they can handle. They have no concept of what a host has to do so instead of being the qualifications of the individual nor their ability to perform the job, it became a popularity contest. The line - er, many lines -were drawn in the sand by viewers splitting the audience into many camps and each against the other. Instead of being an executive decision where the audience is of only two camps:;; one camp for the decision and one against. But only one fight the “For” decision and one Again’ the decision But the decision was final and all viewers would accept it and live with that decision while the others made a choice to stay a viewer or find something else.
The viewers now are supportive of one or the other if the hosts. No common “enemy” as the executive alone made the decision would have become final and the furor would eventually die down. But it is an ongoing dispute now thanks to social media and everyone wants to have their say. Take a lesson from “Wheel of Fortune” and make a decision swiftly, quietly and without fanfare
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James is spot on. Keep Ken, wheel Miyam off to another gig
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Get rid of Kin. Awful host. The worst!
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Sony obviously learned it’s lesson after the fiasco they created replacing Alex Trebek on Jeopardy! Glad they figured it out and didn’t put us through that again w Wheel! Now if they would only stop the torture at Jeopardy! and name Ken as it’s only host. And let Bilaik continue to host Celebrity Jeopardy!
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2 hosts is like having to captains on a ship, you never know where you're going.
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Ken was made for this show, it took a little while but he has hit his stride. Bialik is awkward and just generally weird. This neuroscientist is not clever or witty. She was a wreck in the celebrity "Wheel of Fortune" episode. Keep Ken and be done with it. I DO NO WATCH WHEN SHE IS THE HOST.
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Jennings all the way!
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Jennings all the WRONG way! Awful host.
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Make Ken Jennings the sole host of Jeopardy. Bailik is too painful to watch. Get rid of her.
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Jeopardy needs one.host.only and that.is Ken Jennings.
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When sweet Alex passed away I said to a friend “ken jennings” will be the next host. It’s taken how long?!?!?! Miayim looks like someone glued her hands to the podium. Why can’t she let go???
Just sayin
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Ken Jennings should be the sole permanent host of the syndicated Jeopardy! episodes, as well as all Tournaments, especially Masters!🏆... "Celebrity Jeopardy" is the sole best option (if any) for Bialik 👸. Hopefully, their contracts are written in such a way that the hosts can be best placed where their talents are best utilized and thus maintain the most viewership as a result.💙💜💙💜
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James is right, but put it in a smart alec way. Ken is an excellent host. Mayim is awkward. I may have to mute when she's on. She ruins the flow. It will be hard to replace Pat's corny wit, but it's good for Wheel. Best of luck to Ryan
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Mayim Bialik is a horrible replacement for Alex Trebech. Ken Jennings is the perfect replacement.
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Indeed (the much overused word by Mayim) I agree with all those who would like to see only Ken host Jeopardy. I cringe every time one of them says FINAL instead of final jeopardy. Lazy?
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What is wrong with you? Do you even watch the show?
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I refuse to watch any Jeopardy episodes with Mayim hosting. She reminds me of an old school marm, reading the clues in monotone, making me want to fall asleep. Just can't handle that. At all!
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I do not watch Jeopardy when Mayim is on + would like to see if the ratings drop when she is on. I like WOF much better and was afraid I would have to quit watching that (would have quit if Vanna or Maggie were chosen). I have never watched Ryan Seacrest (had to look him up to see who he is), but I will give him a try when the time comes.
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I do not watch Jeopardy when Mayim is on + would like to see if the ratings drop when she is on. I like WOF much better and was afraid I would have to quit watching that (would have quit if Vanna or Maggie were chosen). I have never watched Ryan Seacrest (had to look him up to see who he is), but I will give him a try when the time comes.
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The Jeopardy ratings did drop - down to 4.5 as another commenter noted - and it represents the lowest ratings the show has had since it competed against the Summer Olympics timeslots in prime access two years ago.
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I think Holzhauer thinks he's got a corner on the inner workings of the Jeopardy franchise.
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That's a joke.
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I think Holzauer’s comment stinks to high heaven of sour grapes! I also find it interesting how J! Viewers are using this to voice the preference for Jennings!
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I think James got it right! Having two hosts is ridiculous.. Mayim is a great host. She is knowable, funny, intelligent, entertaining, etc.. Ken is stiff, boring, and not very personable.. Get with the program Jepordy!!!!
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I stopped watching when they chose Ken Jennings. He makes the show so negative. At least Miyam has a personality. I'd love to see James as the host. Ratings would go through the roof. Hope Jeoparty is listening.
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All this conversation about the Jeopardy hosts when Holzhauet threw the last match up with Ken Jennings. James is the once and future King.
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Ryan Seacrest is a seasoned personality on TV. No questions with me as to whether he's a good choice for Wheel of Fortune. I'm sure he would have been a good choice for Jeopardy at the time but he wasn't in the running then. He'll be fine at anything he chooses.
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I think jeopardy had such a mess picking a new host because it was very unexpected to lose Alex. Wheel of Fortune has been given more notice, so more behind the scenes consideration to pick their choice of replacement for Pat.
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I feel they picked the wrong producer to be the new host.. Sarah would have been a better choice. Maybe she didn't want the limelight!
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Maybe Jeopardy! did make a mess of the selection process, but Ryan Seacrest for WOF?!?! Am I the only one who's sick of seeing this guy everywhere??
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James has always had an odd Edge about him.
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I think James is painfully jealous of Ken and it shows in his actions on the show and in his posts.
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I think it is a shame that James would mock the process when he made a fortune on the show. He has a right to his opinion, but does every thought have to be voiced?
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all I know jeopardy is a game show inside a game show -- duh
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While I totally agree that Ken is by far the best choice, I truly would like Holzhauer to shut up. His arrogance seems to know no bounds.
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Amen. I love Mayim and I’m sick of him and his arrogant comments. Get over yourself James!
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I think Seacrest is a little light on his feet. Isn’t he homosexual?? That’s all Wheel needs is another one of them.
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John Michael Higgins is a better choice to replace Pat Sajak as Wheel of Fortune host. John Michael has a bubbly and gregarious personality like Pat. When the new season begans with Ryan as the new host, I will no longer watch.
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Ryan will grow on you. Give him a chance. I was disappointed when he originally joined Live with Kelly but he turned out to be funny and humble. Who knew?
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I don't know...if JMH comes over to host Wheel, who's going to host America Says? (It's on GSN--if you have cable or satellite, give it a look.)
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He would actually be really good. I wonder if they considered him?
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James was the most annoying jeopardy contestant ever and made me quit watching until he was gone. So I really don't care what he thinks. I like both Ken and Mayim and I don't watch the show for the host. I think it's quite fitting that Alex couldn't be replaced by just one person.
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Both. It's the questions. Stop the belitteing. BS.
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I don’t really care what Holzhauer thinks. I didn’t like him then and I still don’t like him. His feelings are of no importance.
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Is it possible wof makes a lot more revenue and, so, cannot afford to fool around on replacement; while jeo is tightly controlled - and not as appealing to broader less nerdy general audience - that the organizers can play musical chairs trying to replace an iconic Alex? In the end it's not a good tribute to the tidy Alex but an insult to him to have a two-headed hosting (with a sea of difference between the two heads)
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Ryan is just a talker, I don’t think he’s going to be able to handle being a host of the game show. But it could be worse, they could’ve hired Vanna to do it, that was horrible when she filled in. Sort of like mayim trying to host Jeopardy
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Ken has no personality and claim to fame that he dissed Alex.
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What?! I watch every day and Ken has never said anything but praise for Alex. I heard they were good friends.
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I think comparing the two is like filet mignon and a hot dog. WOF is the dog, of course.
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I think Holzhauer is obnoxious and doesn't see the difference between replacing a deceased person and a retired person. Also, the difference between a cerebral show with a dumb program. If Holzhauer were to host any program Iwould cancel out that network!!
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I wish James would just shut up! Not everybody in the world gives a hoot what he thinks. He’s arrogant and not a nice person. Jeopardy MADE him. Ungrateful and full of himself. So glad he wasn’t made host of Jeopardy,
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Kay, not everybody in the world gives a hoot about what YOU (and/or I) think either! And, just from observing your comments, you, too, are not a "nice" person, forsaking the rule, "judge not lest you be judged" and the biblical and wise teaching that before we go after the speck in someone else's eye, we must first remove the log in our own eye. Constructive criticism should be offered, not cruel character assaults. As long as opinions continue on the two talented hosts, there will be no unanimous winner (except in the actual games), so I suggest trying to respectfully agree to disagree until the producers make a firm decision. I'm going to post a link of a similar past Top Chef TV hosting controversy that ended with the host eventually and admirably admitting that she "wasn't the right fit...". Hmmmmm...
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I love it the way it is with 2 hosts. You have many different Jeopardy shows that I think benefit from the personalities of Myam and Ken.
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The Ken trolls are the minority. They are about 12 years old and swarm the site every time there’s an article to bash Mayim. Jealous jealous jealous.
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That’s because the minority of the Ken trolls swarm every site as soon as this clickbait is printed. They all go to his church. Not very Christian of them. Their mean AND nasty.
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Keep Mayim On!
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Keepmayim on
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I'm tired with all these nonsense with everyone saying Mayim is awful at host. If you think you can do better, call Sony ans ask for a shot at being host. When it comes to gameshows, hosting Jeopardy is one of the the tougher ones and Mayim has done a fantastic job. Plus, this whining and complaining has gone on for over 2 years and it's mostly centered around her. Why? Because you want a host who is closest you got to Alex Trabek. If this whining and complaining goes on for years when it comes to Mayim, then I hope to spite everyone of you that Ken Jennings decides he doesn't wan to do it anymore and Mayim gets the whole gig to herself. All you fans need to grow up. You've been sounding like a bunch of newborn babies. QUIT CRYING.
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You are in the minority and you're acting more of a baby than anyone.
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The difference between me and her hosting is that I actually realize I wouldn't be good at it.
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I can assure you that no Jeopardy fans are losing sleep over it. It’s not that personal. Ken has proven to be a more professional host.
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What a joke your comment is! Haha😂😂😂
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Now Mayim is being unprofessional. If she was being unprofessional she would’ve been fired by now. Since Sony hasn’t fired her your comments tell me you hate as a host and you need to get a life. If fans can’t past who the host is and can’t appreciate the players who play the game, then nobody deserves to watch this show and Sony needs to cancel it. This whining for years is an embarrassment.
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