Hollywood Strikes Are Coming After Game Shows Now: Jeopardy! Is At Risk

As viewers begin to come to terms with the WGA and SAG AFTRA strikes affecting their favorite scripted series, there are some game and reality shows to pass the time while waiting for a resolution. But now that Jeopardy! is changing its usual schedule due to the strikes, viewers are getting even more anxious.

First, Jeopady! fans were saddened by the news that host Mayim Bialik refused to return to the show because she refused to stand in solidarity with the striking writers. But that wasn't the end of the story.

As it turned out, many Jeopady! champions who could have been called up for the annual Tournament of Champions also had no intention of crossing the picket lines. Last season's 13-time winner Ray Lalonde, as well as other competitors like Chris Pannullo, Hannah Wilson, Ben Chan, and Troy Meyer, announced that he wouldn't be coming back for the TOC.

To clear up the confusion, a representative from Sony Pictures Television released a statement about the current plans for Jeopardy! Although the show itself won't be delayed anytime soon, the Tournament of Champions will indeed be postponed until the writers' strike is resolved.

"We have always been careful to honor our WGA agreements and we would never air game material not created by WGA writers. However, just as we did, led by Alex Trebek, during the 2007-2008 strike, we will deliver first-run episodes again this fal <...> featuring the best of our WGA written material," the spokesperson stated.

To sum it up, Jeopardy! fans can expect that season 40 will air in the fall, using the material from the previous seasons. Considering Mayim Bialik's statement, it is also expected that it will be hosted by Ken Jennings alone. Tournament of Champions will take place later and would be filmed with the new material from the show's writers.

Be sure to keep an eye out for the new season of Jeopardy! premiering on CBS and your local TV station.

Source: TVLine