Former Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has publicly announced she’s been axed from her current big TV role.
In an essay for Variety published on Wednesday, the Jeopardy! host reflected on a 1994 Saturday Night Live skit which parodied her sitcom Blossom.
“As the holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” the 48-year-old actress wrote in a statement on her Instagram. “Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”
The Big Bang Theory star added that she was “honoured” to have been nominated for an Emmy this year for hosting the show and wrote, “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of the Jeopardy! family.”
“For all of you who have supported me through this incredible journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff and crew of America’s Favorite Quiz Show, thank you,” Bialik concluded her post.
Mayim Bialik as host of Jeopardy!
A representative for Bialik confirmed her departure to Fox News Digital. Representatives for Sony and Jeopardy! co-host Ken Jennings did not immediately respond to request for comment.
The official Jeopardy! Instagram account shared a statement about Bialik’s exit shortly after she did.
“Mayim Bialik has announced she will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!,” the post read. “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!’.”
“We are truly grateful for all of Mayim’s contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to continue to work with her on primetime specials,” the statement concluded.
Bialik and Jennings were among the rotating guest hosts of the trivia game show following the death of longtime host Alex Trebek. The television personality, who hosted Jeopardy! for a record-breaking 37 seasons, died in November 2020 at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.
The former Big Bang actress announced her axing herself. Picture: Getty
She said she was “honoured” to have hosted the show. Picture: AFP
In September 2021, Bialik and Jennings were tapped to host the show through the end of season 38 while executives searched for a permanent new host. However, the two were named the permanent alternating co-hosts of Jeopardy! in July 2022.
Prior to hosting Jeopardy!, Jennings was the quiz show’s most successful contestant in history. The Washington native holds the record for longest Jeopardy! winning streak, notching 74 consecutive wins over five months in 2004.
In May, Bialik stepped back from hosting the remaining episodes of the show’s 39th season in solidarity with the WGA strike. Jennings replaced Bialik as host of Celebrity Jeopardy! in August after she declined to return until the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes ended.
Jennings has served as the solo host of Jeopardy since season 40 debuted in September.
Both Bialik and Jennings earned Emmy Award nods for outstanding host of a game show this year along with Wheel of Fortune’s Pat Sajak, Family Feud’s Steve Harvey and Password’s Keke Palmer.
The Emmy Awards will be held on January 15, 2024, after the ceremony was delayed due to the strikes.
This story originally appeared on Fox News and is republished here with permission.
