‘Jeopardy!’ fans blast decision to let Mayim Bialik stay on as co-host

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Some Jeopardy! fans are threatening to click off after it was announced last week that Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings will continue to split hosting duties on the long-running game show.

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Producers revealed that Jeopardy! GOAT Jennings will carry on co-hosting alongside The Big Bang Theory alum when the quiz program returns for its 39th season this fall.

“We have so much Jeopardy! to make, and so many plans for the future, that we always knew we would need multiple hosts for the franchise and we are just so grateful that Mayim and Ken stepped in and stepped up to put the show in a position to succeed,” executive producer Michael Davies said in a message posted to the official Jeopardy! site.

Bialik will front Celebrity Jeopardy! and various specials, while Jennings will helm the Second Chance Tournament and the Tournament of Champions.

Addressing long-time fans of the show, Davis said that ratings have gone up with Jennings and Bialik behind the lectern.

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“The show is considerably up in viewership year over year, with more than 27M viewers tuning in each week this season,” Davis shared. “When you consider that almost every other show in broadcast television and syndication is declining, this has been a quite remarkable season: we’re the most-watched entertainment show on all of television. Yes, all of television.”

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Davis added that Jennings will stick around until December with Bialik taking over in January as she juggles her commitments to filming on her sitcom Call Me Kat.

But the news landed with a soft thud on social media as dozens slammed the decision to keep Bialik in the fold.

“Good that we won’t have to endure Mayim for the first half of the season, but we’ll have to put with her or tune (in) to something else after that,” one person wrote with another labelling the decision a “terrible idea.”

“Ken should be the only host,” they wrote. “He knows the game better, he’s more knowledgeable and he deserves it. I will only watch when he’s hosting. I like her as a comedian and actor, NOT a host. I’m very disappointed.”

“I am permanently not watching,” a third fan declared, with a fourth person jabbing, “she’s a mess.”

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On Reddit, some fans said Bialik wasn’t suited to hosting because of her stiff delivery.

“Mayim just feels like someone they shoehorned into it,” one person observed.

But not everyone was opposed to the idea of two different personalities continuing to front the series.

One person said the decision would have made late host Alex Trebek “proud” while another promised that Bialik will “improve with experience.”

“The wife and I watch every night,” a third person chimed. “Love both hosts and glad to see they’ll both be continuing. Never wanted to have to make a choice when both are great.”

In May, Jeopardy! fans reacted in anger when Jennings revealed Bialik’s return after Canadian champ Mattea Roach’s 23-game winning streak came to an end.

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“Congratulations to Mattea Roach on a truly iconic @Jeopardy streak. I believe she’s one of only three champs in history ever to ‘shoot their age’: 23 years old, 23 wins,” Jennings tweeted.

“I’m handing the keys back to the talented actor-producer-writer-director (!) @missmayim for a few months. We are lucky to have her! Thanks for watching, and I’ll be back before the end of the season.”

“Ken is IT!” one person griped. “He knows the game & game strategy, he is funny, quick as heck, humble & endearingly self-effacing.”

“NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!! NOT MAYIM BIALIK!!! I WANT AARON RODGERS!!!” another fan complained.

“No Ken, no more Mattea … I guess I can skip Jeopardy! for awhile,” a third chimed.

In an interview with Vulture, Roach weighed in on who she thought should be the next permanent host.

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“I would say Ken because of his history with the show,” she said. “As a contestant, there’s something really special about being onstage with the greatest player of all time. Someone who understands in a very visceral way what it’s like to be in your position. Mayim is fantastic, but she doesn’t have that same experience.”

In concluding his message to fans, Davis called both Jennings and Bialik “a joy to work with.”

“They have my commitment, my producer oath, that I will focus on nothing but improving the show around them so that they can do their best work and approach every day in the studio with excitement and energy,” he wrote.

Season 39 of Jeopardy! begins taping this week in Los Angeles.

mdaniell@postmedia.com