‘Jeopardy!’ Season 39 Finally Here, Fans Thrilled

ByAllie Johnson
Ken Jennings YouTube

Jeopardy! Season 39 is here with Ken Jennings starting his first-ever stint as the show’s ‘permanent’ host. The latest season premiered on Monday, September 12, 2022. Jennings welcomed the viewers and live guests as he said, “Welcome to the show.” Although Mayim Bialik was also announced as the permanent host for the show, she will be hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! for now. The spinoff is slated for a September 25 premiere.

Jeopardy! Season 39 Is Back With A Live Audience

Both Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings hosted Jeopardy! Season 38. However, due to COVID-19 restrictions, the show didn’t have a live audience. With Season 39, the show has started welcoming a live audience, an announcement of which was made on July 12, 2022.

Ken Jennings YouTube

[Source: YouTube]

Jeopardy!’s official Twitter handle shared a clip of Jennings hosting the premiere episode with the caption, “And the crowd goes (clapping hands emoji) After two and a half years without an audience, it feels good to have you back. Welcome an all-new season of categories, clues, and contestants. Jeopardy! S39 premieres TONIGHT.”

Ken Jennings Mayim Bialik YouTube

[Source: YouTube]

As the 48-year-old welcomed Jeopardy! viewers, he noted, “I am so honored to be announced as the host of Jeopardy!, but I’m even more excited to be here with you beginning a new season with our Emmy-winning Jeopardy! staff and crew, with an audience back in the studio for the first time in two and a half years! Yes!”

Fans Want Ken Jennings To Be The Solo Jeopardy! Host

Fans quickly chimed in the comments as one wrote, “I’ll only be watching the Ken Jennings episodes. Hated Big Bang Theory and sadly those feelings have now trickled down to Jeopardy.”

“So is @KenJennings the only host of #Jeopardy now? that would be amazing! Everyone could watch again!” enquired another.

However, one clarified the doubt and replied, “It’s been said that it’s two permanent hosts. Ken hosting until December, before Mayim takes over in January.”

Ken and Mayim started filling in for the legendary Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek after he passed away at the age of 80 in 2020. Season 37 saw a whirlwind of celebrity guest hosts including LeVar Burton, Anderson Cooper, Savannah Guthrie, and Dr. Oz. More so, this list included former executive producer of the show, Mike Richards. However, the final decision came down to Ken and Mayim. While most fans sided with Ken given his history with the game, the makers opted to have both as the permanent hosts for the game show.

Ken Jennings Will Also Host The Tournament Of Champions 2022

While Mayim will be busy with Celebrity Jeopardy!, Ken Jennings will take over hosting the Tournament Of Champions that is slated to premiere on October 31.

The lineup for Tournament of Champions 2022 includes:

  • Matt Amodio (Cambridge, Massachusetts)
  • Mattea Roach (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Amy Schneider (Oakland, California)
  • Eric Ahasic (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
  • Sam Buttrey (Pacific Grove, California)
  • Brian Chang (Chicago, Illinois)
  • Jonathan Fisher (Coral Gables, Florida)
  • Andrew He (San Francisco, CA)
  • John Focht (El Paso, TX)
  • Ryan Long (Philadelphia, PA)
  • Jackie Kelly (Cary, NC)
  • Maureen O’Neil (Rye Beach, NH)
  • Zach Newkirk (Arlington, VA)
  • Courtney Shah (Portland, OR)
  • Tyler Rhode (New York, NY)
  • Margaret Shelton (Pittsburgh, PA)
  • Christine Whelchel (Spring Hill, TN)
  • Megan Wachspress (Berkeley, CA)
  • Jaskaran Singh (Plano, TX)

Have you had a chance to watch the premiere episode of Jeopardy! Season 39? What did you think of Ken Jennings’ hosting with a live audience? Share your thoughts in the comments!

Allie Johnson
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