Danger! Fans were divided after Mayim Bialik accepted the ‘wrong’ answer as the host replaced Ken Jennings despite backlash

DANGER! Host Mayim Bialik has fans not on the same page after accepting what appeared to be a wrong answer during the game show’s final episode.

Mayim, 47, has taken over hosting duties for the High School Reunion Tournament while doubles host Ken Jennings, 48, has stepped down for a few weeks.

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The danger! Attendees included Rohit Kataria, a junior at Vanderbilt, Maya Wright, a senior at Emory, and Audrey Sarin, a senior at Cal Poly.

The game featured a somewhat one-sided affair, with Maya securing a healthy lead ahead of Double Jeopardy after a tight start and a commanding lead as the players headed into Final Jeopardy.

The contest ended with Maya winning the day and earning a total of $20,800, Rohit was second with $7,175 while Audrey fell to last place with a $0 win.

While the episode seemed like a pretty standard outing, some viewers took offense towards the end of the game with an accepted answer.

The note, which fell under the “National Anthems” category, read: “Here’s this British national anthem that has the same tune as ‘My Country, ‘Tis Of Thee’.”

Andrey replied, “What is God Save the Queen,” which Mayim accepted as the correct answer.

However, one viewer asked: “When was this recorded? Because the UK national anthem is now God save the King.”

The debate ended with a popular Jeopardy! special Reddit board.

RIGHT OR WRONG?

One user commented, “For the final clue in Double Jeopardy, Audrey replied ‘God Save the Queen’, but shouldn’t it technically be ‘God Save the King’ now?”

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8th, 2022

They continued, “I know it’s minor and I think it depends on how much of an advocate the judge is, but I have a feeling it might be a technicality that could have been called.”

A second fan replied, “I would guess that from a broader historical perspective, they would assume that both answers are correct depending on the time frame.”

“I mean, technically the UK national anthem is now God Save the King, but I suppose either would be acceptable,” said a third.

A fourth commenter argued, “It’s still the same song, just changes depending on whether it’s a queen or a king.”

While another person said, “If a song has ever been popularly known by a certain title, they will accept it.”

Danger! Episodes are scheduled to be filmed three months before airing.

BACK TO BIALIK

Mayiam was back on the Jeopardy! stage for the new episode and the fans were unfortunately not enthusiastic.

As previously mentioned, she’s hosting a three-week High School Reunion Tournament and may stay with it for the rest of the season.

Mayim donned a chic lightweight blazer as she anticipated the Jeopardy! stage in an official Instagram promo clip.

The clip gave fans a glimpse of the opening moments of their 14-part high school reunion competition.

The special features 27 former Teen Tournament entrants who prevailed in 2019.

The winner will receive $100,000 and a seat at the 2023 Tournament of Champions, Mayim told the rather quiet crowd.

“Welcome to a special reunion here on Jeopardy!.” She began.

“Fast forward a few years and these players are finishing high school, are still in college or have recently graduated and are ready to compete again.”

“We start today by greeting Audrey, Maya and Rohit,” Mayim added as the camera panned to the first three smiling college students.

The tournament will air in lieu of the regular episodes from Monday February 20th – the clip she was in – through March 9th.

After that, Ken may not return as Mayim is due for part of the time, at least on paper.

Season 39 ends in July 2023, so both Ken and Mayim will have hosted for about five months each by the time Mayim hosts for the remainder of the season.

“LET ME KNOW WHEN KEN IS BACK”

Dozens of die-hard fans in the comments expressed that they weren’t looking forward to the three-week tournament.

In fact, some couldn’t come to terms with the concept that Ken might not be back until September 2023.

One user commented: “Regarding your decision, I will not be recording or watching until Ken Jennings returns. I’m a lifelong watcher, but Mayim is making one of my favorite shows unwatchable.

“I changed my DVR settings until Ken gets back – I hope it won’t be long!”

Another wrote, “As much as I love Jeopardy, the next three weeks are going to be hard to watch without Ken.”

A few came to her defense as one wrote, “Love Mayim” and another, “Cue the whiners.”

Over the summer, both Ken and Mayim were announced as permanent replacements for the late longtime host Alex Trebek.

Alex tragically died of pancreatic cancer in 2020 at the age of 80, leaving huge footsteps to fill, and it took two dramatic years to fill them.

Mayim hasn’t been spotted on the regular show since the co-host announcement – she only has Celebrity Jeopardy! treated.

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