Listen, folks, here’s a story that’s been brewing behind the scenes of one of America’s most iconic game shows. Ken Jennings, the man who's been a trivia wizard for years, is now reportedly trying to smooth things over with Mayim Bialik after a rocky year co-hosting 'Jeopardy!'. But guess what? Mayim, according to insiders, isn’t exactly feeling the love right now. Let's dive into what’s really going on behind the scenes, exclusively from Closer.

How the Co-Hosting Chaos Began

Let me take you back to 2021, just after the passing of the legendary Alex Trebek. 'Jeopardy!' was in a tough spot, and they decided to bring in two big names to share hosting duties—Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings. At first, it seemed like a great idea: Mayim, the beloved actress from 'Blossom' with a PhD in neuroscience, and Ken, the trivia guru who’d already been a guest host. They both stepped into the role, rotating hosting duties into 2022 and 2023. But as it turns out, co-hosting isn’t as easy as it looks.

The Breaking Point: Mayim's Departure

Now, here’s where the story gets juicy. In December 2023, Mayim dropped a bombshell on her Instagram. She announced she wouldn’t be returning to 'Jeopardy!' in the new year. The official statement from Sony? “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of 'Jeopardy!'” Oof, that’s gotta sting. Imagine the tension backstage after that announcement.

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Ken’s Attempt to Make Amends

Fast forward to today, and Ken is apparently trying to patch things up. An insider tells us he wants to “put the pettiness behind them.” But why now? Well, it seems Ken has softened his stance on Mayim now that he’s officially landed the coveted permanent hosting gig. He reportedly believes he was the best candidate then—and still does—but he regrets how things went down. “He wants to be the nice guy,” the source adds.

Ken reportedly feels guilty about how the situation unfolded and wants to make it right. He’s reached out to Mayim, hoping to mend fences. But here’s the kicker: Mayim isn’t having it. Sources close to the situation say she hasn’t forgiven—and certainly hasn’t forgotten—the way things went down. “She’s not buying the act and wants nothing more than for Ken to scram and leave her alone,” the insider reveals.

Mayim’s Side of the Story

When Mayim learned she wouldn’t be returning to 'Jeopardy!', she shared her feelings in a statement last year. She expressed her gratitude for the opportunity, noting, “I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the 'Jeopardy!' family.” But make no mistake, she wanted to be the solo host—and she wasn’t shy about it.

Now, she’s watching Ken stumble in his new role as the sole host. According to sources, she’s enjoying every misstep he makes, proving he’s not as perfect as he might have seemed. “In the meantime, she’s enjoying all the gaffes Ken’s making, which proves he’s not such a know-it-all after all,” the source adds with a touch of drama.

The Pressure on Ken

Ken may have landed the hosting gig, but it’s not all smooth sailing. He’s been criticized for his interactions with contestants, and the pressure is on to deliver the ratings 'Jeopardy!' fans expect. Last year, a separate source told Closer that Ken might have gotten a little too big for his britches. “He’s throwing his weight around and acting like he owns the place these days. He’s even demanding a bigger paycheck,” the source said.

But here’s the reality: Ken still has a lot to prove. The network isn’t just going to throw money at him. “The pressure is squarely on his shoulders now to deliver ratings and live up to all the hype he’s created for himself,” the source adds. It’s a tough gig, and Ken knows it.

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What’s Next for 'Jeopardy!'

Mayim’s abrupt departure left fans of the show scratching their heads. The network decided to move forward with just one host, and that’s Ken Jennings. A spokesperson for 'Jeopardy!' confirmed, “Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of 'Jeopardy!' We made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers, and Ken Jennings will be the sole host for syndicated 'Jeopardy!'”

Alex Trebek and Ken Jennings — Jeopardy Productions via Getty Images

So, where does this leave 'Jeopardy!' and its fans? Only time will tell if Ken can rise to the occasion and if Mayim will ever soften her stance. One thing’s for sure: the drama behind the scenes is just as captivating as the game itself!