Hey there, trivia lovers! After what feels like an eternity of questions and uncertainty, Jeopardy! is finally making its way back to ABC for season 40 on September 11. Fans have been on the edge of their seats, wondering who would take the helm as host this season, especially with some major shake-ups happening behind the scenes.
Ken Jennings Takes the Reins as the Sole Host
So, who’s stepping up to the plate? None other than Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings. This time around, Ken is flying solo, meaning Mayim Bialik won’t be sharing hosting duties with him, unlike last season. Ken’s not just sticking to the main show either—he’s also set to host season 2 of Celebrity Jeopardy!, which premieres on September 27. Looks like Ken’s got a lot on his plate, but hey, if anyone can handle it, it’s him.
What Happened to Mayim Bialik?
If you’re wondering why Mayim isn’t back in the hosting chair, it’s a story that’s been unfolding over the past few months. After the untimely passing of the legendary Alex Trebek in 2020, Ken and Mayim were announced as the official co-hosts of Jeopardy! and its spinoffs. Fans grew accustomed to the duo trading off duties, bringing their unique charm to the show.
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But in May, things took a turn when Mayim decided to walk off the set of Jeopardy! to stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) during their strike. It was a bold move, one that showed her commitment to supporting the writers. In her absence, Ken stepped in to wrap up the final episodes of season 39.
It wasn’t just Mayim who felt the impact of the strike. Several former Jeopardy! champions, like Ray Lalonde and Ben Chen, voiced their support by refusing to participate in the Tournament of Champions if the strike was still ongoing. Ray even posted a heartfelt message on Reddit, stating, “As a supporter of the trade union movement, a union member’s son, and a proud union member myself, I have informed the show’s producers that if the strike remains unresolved, I will not cross a picket line to play in the Tournament of Champions.”
Big Changes for Jeopardy! Season 40
Season 40 kicked off filming on August 15, but don’t expect things to be business as usual. The WGA strike has thrown a wrench into the works, meaning the format is getting a makeover. Instead of introducing a brand-new batch of contestants, the upcoming season will feature a Second Chance Tournament. That means we’ll be seeing familiar faces from season 37, giving them another shot at glory.
And here’s the kicker: the questions are getting a bit of a rewind too. To navigate around the strike, the show will be recycling some old favorites and pulling from a stockpile of questions written before the strike began. It’s a creative solution, but one that fans will no doubt find intriguing.
