Jeopardy selects its next host as questions remain
Culver City, California – As a contestant might answer one of its Jeopardy questions: "What is ... the hosting saga?"
The TV game show that gives its answers in questions has now created a lot of new ones.
Sony Pictures Entertainment has put to rest who will host the Jeopardy – but only for the time being.
And it has again chosen a candidate with a questionable past.
America's favorite trivia show announced on Thursday that actor Mayim Bialik and Jeopardy's biggest-winning former contestant Ken Jennings "will split hosting duties as their schedules allow through the end of the calendar year."
"Everyone on the staff is supralunar," the show tweeted of the new decision.
It comes as the show began airing new episodes this week hosted by executive producer Mike Richards, who taped one week of shows before he was fired earlier this month.
After a months-long search for its permanent host to succeed the late Alex Trebek, Sony Pictures Entertainment chose Richards in August – but received huge backlash after his past derogatory comments, and two previous discrimination lawsuits, resurfaced.
Richards swiftly stepped down, and was replaced in the interim by Bialik.
It's now clear producers are still hesitant to again name a permanent host.
Beginning Monday, September 20, Bialik will host several weeks of upcoming episodes through November 5. Afterwards, Bialik and Jennings will take turns helming the show.
While some fans have viewed Jennings as a favorite, others have called out his inappropriate past comments, too – citing a distasteful Twitter post about disabled people in 2014.
Jennings is the most successful Jeopardy contestant ever, with winnings in 2004 that totaled $2.52 million and an unmatched 74-game winning streak. He has been working as a consulting producer of the show since last year.
Will he be passed the torch permanently as the year comes to a close?
Fans are left wondering why questionable hosting candidates are still in the ring, and why the show's executives just can't make up their minds.
Cover photo: Collage: Screenshot/Twitter/missmayim, IMAGO/ZUMA Wire & ZUMA Globe