"Buzzy AND Ken?? Someone finally got the memo at Jeopardy!"
JEOPARDY! has swiftly secured a backup for Ken Jennings after Mayim Bialik's departure as his co-host in December. In a mindblowing twist, fellow former champion Buzzy Cohen stepped in to host new episodes for the 2024 tournament season.
Buzzy, 38, took charge of the "play-in games" that determined the final slots in Season 39 Champions Wildcard. The mini-tournament premieres tonight, January 16, the last before February's 2024 Tournament of Champions.
While Ken, 49, is hosting the actual competitions, Buzzy was brought on to help him out. In a unique move, Buzzy's episodes are audio-only, marking a first for the game show.
Since there were more qualifiers than slots for Wildcard, Jeopardy! hit up Buzzy to host a few not-for-TV games to narrow it down. Despite not gracing the TV screen, Buzzy shared dapper Instagram photos of himself on stage at the host podium and with the players.
He excitedly captioned the post: "Well, I made it back onto the Alex Trebek Stage to host the play-in games for the #Jeopardy Champions Wildcard Competition. "I was honored to stand behind the lectern and deliver some wonderful clues to these past champions
While Buzzy isn't being named host with a capital "H," this marks the first time since Mayim's firing that someone other than Ken is hosting. Fans were thrilled to see Buzzy in action, speculating that he might now become Ken's go-to backup.
- One fan commented: "Yay!! Buzzy AND Ken?? Someone finally got the memo at Jeopardy!"
- Another fan wrote: "Love you as host, Buzzy! You and Ken should alternate! Both great hosts!"
- A third wrote: "I will always and forever be Team Buzzy as @jeopardy permanent host!!"
- A fourth wrote: "Well it’s about damned time!"
- And a fifth penned: "Perfect choice!"
Buzzy was a fan-favorite during the host search after Alex Trebek's tragic death in 2020. The nine-time champion and 2017 Tournament of Champions victor previously hosted the $250,000 ToC in 2021.
BUZZY STEPS IN
Season 39 Champions Wildcard is a month-long clash leading up to the highly anticipated Tournament of Champions on February 23, 2024.
Wildcard includes the one and two-day winners from the last season, giving them a second shot at glory. The contest holds the last two slots in the 2024 ToC. Buzzy was crucial in determining which contestants would round out the 54-player field for Wildcard.
One match saw contestant Nik Berry advance after defeating Anji Nyquist and Julie Sisson. Another saw Rachel Clark advance after defeating Daniel Ciarrocchi and Matthew Ott. Buzzy's first two episodes, which were taped earlier this month, can be listened to here.
Wildcard includes many brief winners from last season that fans may recall all too well, like Martha Bath, who competed under OG host Art Fleming.
It also includes the four champions from Season 39 Second Chance - the event initially slated to launch Season 40 before the Hollywood strikes disrupted plans - including Juveria Zaheer.
The contestants have one more opportunity to make it to the 2024 Tournament of Champions and face off against Cris Pannullo, Ray LaLonde, and fan favorites Ben Chan and Hannah Wilson.
BYE-ALIK
On December 15, Big Bang Theory alum Mayim announced that she was fired from Jeopardy! personally on Instagram.
"As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news," she began.
"Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!."
The actress went on: "I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Jeopardy! family."
"For all of you who have supported me through this journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff of America's favorite quiz show, thank you."
About an hour later, the official Jeopardy! Instagram page confirmed the news "We have made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers.
They went on to say that Ken, 49, will be the sole host of the show. "We are truly grateful for all of Mayim's contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to work with her in the future on primetime specials," the game show wrote.
Jeopardy! is yet to give further details on the abrupt axe, but other reports have come out about what went wrong for the star. Sources have claimed Mayim's monthlong hiatus while still under contract was a reason behind her firing.
The actress hadn't been on set since last spring, standing with the WGA when they went on strike. As the actress' absence dragged on through the summer, questions began to swirl around her future with the franchise.
The speculation grew in August when Jeopardy! released an official new poster celebrating the show's prior season that featured Ken but not Mayim. Then, Jeopardy! dropped a poster of Ken front and center for Celebrity Jeopardy!, previously hosted by Mayim as her distance grew.
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