Jeopardy! Begins A New Season

         
My favourite game show, Jeopardy! is about to launch its 39th season.  The new season of the venerable quiz show will begin airing fresh episodes on Monday, September 12th, with Ken Jennings as host of the syndicated format until December 30th, after which Mayim Byalik will have her turn.  Fans, including myself, are looking forward to Jeopardy!'s return.

In addition to the syndicated version of the show, Celebrity Jeopardy! will premiere on September 25th at 8 p.m. on the ABC network.  Celebrity Jeopardy! will be hosted by Mayim Byalik,  ABC has announced that the celebrities will include Simu Liu, Michael Cera, BJ Novak, Ilza Schlesinger, Ray Romano, Constance Wu,, Aisha Tyler and Patton Oswalt. 

In an interview with TV Guide, Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies displayed enthusiasm about the "somewhat new format" of the 13-week celebrity tournament, which will feature hour-long shows rather than the usual 30-minute standard of the syndicated version of the show.  I have to say that I prefer the half hour format.  Jeopardy! is a thinking game and the mind grows weary after an hour of intense concentration.  

In July, it was announced that Mayim Byalik and Ken Jennings would continue to split the schedule for the 2022-23 season.  Jeopardy! fans are passionate about their show and they have strongly expressed their opinion about the performance of both hosts.  On the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, Byalik and Jennings discussed the split hosting situation and fan reaction   Jennings opined that the two-host situation helps to satisfy a larger swath of the viewing audience.  

Byalik has taken her share of criticism. For example, she was castigated for using the term "Single Jeopardy!" for the game's first round of play.  She said she tries to listen to the fanbase without taking the criticism too personally.  She also joked that she prefers Jennings as Jeopardy! host.  This prompted Jennings to laugh and humbly declare, "Aww, likewise!"

Ken Jennings will host the upcoming Second Chance Tournament and The Tournament of Champions, which should be very competitive.

- Joanne