Ken Jennings, former "Jeopardy!" co-host alongside Mayim Bialik, has spoken out about his surprise at Bialik's departure from the beloved game show. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Jennings expressed his fondness for working with Bialik and his gratitude for the opportunity to host the show.

Bialik, who took over as a co-host after the passing of longtime host Alex Trebek in 2020, surprised fans earlier this month by announcing her departure from "Jeopardy!". Jennings admitted that the news caught him off guard but respected Bialik's decision and refrained from speaking on her thought process, saying, "I can't speak to her decision-making process or her opinions about it."

As the sole host of the show now, Jennings shared his enthusiasm for being a part of "Jeopardy!", stating that he is a fan of the show and always feels fortunate when called upon to host. Reflecting on the unique circumstances of his hosting role as a former contestant, he mentioned that it was a challenge to fill the shoes of the iconic Alex Trebek, who hosted the show for almost 38 years. Despite the pressure, Jennings expressed his gratitude for the opportunity and mentioned that he looks forward to potentially hosting the show for many more years.

The duo of Bialik and Jennings began hosting "Jeopardy!" in 2021 as the show searched for Trebek's replacement. In July 2022, they were announced as the permanent hosts, taking turns hosting regular episodes and various tournaments, with Bialik spearheading "Celebrity Jeopardy!". However, after the writers' strike began in May, Bialik refrained from hosting the recycled episodes and did not return to hosting duties even after the strike ended on September 27.

The exact reasons behind Bialik's departure were not disclosed until December 15, when she took to Instagram to share the news with her followers. In her statement, she expressed her gratitude for being part of the "Jeopardy!" family and the honor of being nominated for an Emmy for her hosting role. Bialik also conveyed her appreciation to the fans, contestants, writers, staff, and crew of the show.

In response to Bialik's departure, the official "Jeopardy!" Instagram page released a statement confirming that Ken Jennings would be the sole host of the syndicated version of the show next season, aiming to maintain continuity for viewers. The statement expressed appreciation for Bialik's contributions to "Jeopardy!" and left open the possibility of working with her on future primetime specials.

With this unexpected turn of events, fans of the long-running game show will undoubtedly be eager to see how Ken Jennings carries the hosting duties forward into the next season. As for Mayim Bialik, her departure from "Jeopardy!" opens up exciting possibilities for her future endeavors in the entertainment industry.