JEOPARDY! fans are “relieved” as Ken Jennings will return to hosting duties after viewers slammed Mayim Bialik over her on-air blunders.
The former contestant has become a fan-favorite as fans plead for him to become the game show’s permanent host.
5
5
Ken currently splits the gig with actress Mayim, but will be making his return to the show in the upcoming episodes.
Jeopardy! announcer Johnny Gilbert revealed Ken’s return at the end of Friday’s episode.
Viewers expressed their excitement for the 47-year-old’s comeback on Facebook as one wrote: “YAY!! Ken Jennings will be back next week! Please make him permanent host!”
Another echoed the enthusiasm, commenting: “Yes!!!! Ken is coming back on Monday!!!!!”
Others voiced their relief as Ken’s return would mean the Big Bang Theory star would not be hosting.
“Oh, Thank GOD!!! Ken is back next week!!!! I know Mayim is smart, and I’m sure she is a very nice woman, but her simpering and posing makes the show almost impossible to watch!
“I actually avert my eyes from the screen!! Next week will be a such a relief!!,” one remarked.
“Best news I’ve heard all week, Ken will be back on Monday. No more what’s her name,” another agreed.
Most read in TV
Mayim angered her co-host’s fan club even more when she made an on-air blunder that sent social media users into a frenzy.
ON-AIR BLUNDER
During the April 8 episode, the Blossom alum did a bizarre impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger when revealing the answer to a question about his movie, Pumping Iron.
Twitter had already erupted with negative feedback towards the star from those wanting Ken back.
One viewer wrote: “Jeopardy! needs to make Ken Jennings the full-time host.
“Not only do I miss Ken when he’s not there, but Mayim reminds me daily of how much better he is at the job.”
Another raged: “Get Mayim Bialik off the show! She’s losing viewers!”
The TV star also irritated fans when she remarked that “confetti” is another term for “funfetti”.
A disgruntled viewer tweeted: “Mayim is so annoying.”
KEN IN THE LEAD
The negative reviews are reflecting in the shows’ viewership as well, as Ken has raked nearly double the viewers as his counterpart.
The Sun exclusively revealed Ken’s impressive ratings boost as he made his first appearance and hosted through contestant Amy Schneider’s two-month winning streak.
The Sun can exclusively confirm Ken rolled in 10 million viewers as he returned as a guest host for Jeopardy! back in November.
The previous contestant’s debut hosting happened to coincide with the anniversary of long-running host Alex Trebek’s death.
Alex passed away in November 2020 after a long battle with stage four pancreatic cancer.
TUNING IN
Ken maintained 9.7 million viewers throughout contestant Amy Schneider’s impressive two-month winning streak.
Amy is Jeopardy!’s first transgender woman to qualify for the show’s annual Tournament of Champions.
Ken’s view count dropped in January after Amy left, but Ken still averaged a commendable 9.2 million views, surpassing Wheel of Fortune and other competing game show ratings.
However, when Mayim, 46, took over her hosting duties for the Jeopardy! College Championship back in February, viewers tuned out. The headcount dropped to 5.5 million viewers, a 0.7 on Nielsen TV ratings.
By the end of March, Mayim increased her viewers up to 5.7 million, but fans are still begging Ken to take over full-time.
5
5
5
We pay for your stories!
Do you have a story for The US Sun team?
