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Jeopardy! Fans React to Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings Hosting News: 'This is Stupid'

Bialik and Jennings will share hosting duties long-term.
  • Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings (Photos: ABC/Casey Durkin and Jeopardy!/YouTube)
    Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings (Photos: ABC/Casey Durkin and Jeopardy!/YouTube)

    After Variety reported that Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will continue to share Jeopardy! hosting duties long-term, fans of the game show couldn't help but sound off on the somewhat controversial decision.

    According to a source familiar with the matter, Sony Pictures Entertainment, the studio behind Jeopardy!, has entered into long-term deals with both Bialik and Jennings to host the syndicated show. In addition, Variety reports Bialik will continue to host primetime editions of the quiz show, as well as ABC's new Celebrity Jeopardy!.

    While some fans are happy with the split, the pro-Bialik and pro-Jennings camps appear frustrated by the show's indecision.

    One satisfied Twitter user wrote, "The two current Jeopardy hosts are very fun, we enjoy them. They're both great! So why not keep them! Ken Jennings is super laid-back and kind of born for the job, but Mayim is super charming, quirky-smart, and stylish!"

    On the other end of the spectrum, though, are the angry fans. One Twitter user cut right to the chase, writing, "Jeopardy should fire their administrative staff and hire managers capable of making a decision. This level of dumbness is vexing."

    As a whole, viewers seem to prefer Jennings over Bialik. TV Insider even conducted a survey earlier this month which found that 82% of voters prefer Jennings as the show's permanent host, and only 6% wanted Bialik as the permanent host. Just 5% liked the idea of alternating hosts.

    Though some viewers have lamented the fact that Jeopardy! is producing too many shows, creating "burnout" among the fanbase, Variety's source claims two hosts are necessary, for now, given Sony's plans to create more versions of the program.

    Jeopardy! airs weeknights in syndication, with new episodes airing through Friday, July 29.

    People are talking about Jeopardy! in our forums. Join the conversation.

    Deena ElGenaidi's writing has been featured in Nylon, MTV News, Insider, The AV Club, and more. You can follow her on Twitter @deenaelg.

    TOPICS: Jeopardy!, Ken Jennings, Mayim Bialik, Game Shows, Twitter