CULVER CITY, CALIFORNIA: Many things have come to a standstill in Hollywood ever since the industry was struck by the writers' strike. The WGA union has not left any stone unturned, with the strike affecting major films, TV shows, and reality TV, all at the same time.
'Jeopardy!' fans fear that the trivia game show might also end up becoming a victim of the strike. Many of them flocked to Reddit to share their views, and most of them didn't seem too positive about the fate of the show.
Possible departure of co-hosts and writers
It was previously already announced that co-host Mayim Bialik, who had joined 'Jeopardy!' after the passing of legend Alex Trebek last year, will be stepping down from her position temporarily. This was following her decision to support the writers of Hollywood in their protests for better pay and fairer rights.
It is speculated that Ken Jennings, who has been hosting the show in Bialik's absence, might join her for the strike as he is also a part of the WGA. While that would already threaten the continuity of the game show, the writers of the show might also end up on the other side, leaving the show completely deserted. The writers are responsible for almost everything that is said and discussed on the show, from the clues to the interactions between the hosts and the contestants. It is safe to say that 'Jeopardy!' would collapse without its writers.
So far, the show has been relying on the work done and dusted by the writers before they went on strike. But it will only suffice for the completion of the current season number 39, which is scheduled to come to a close on July 28.
Fans worry 'Jeopardy!' won't return
In a Reddit thread, the fans of the show expressed fear that it will not return with upcoming seasons. This includes everything from the regular shows and the special tournaments like fall's annual $250,000 tournament, or 'Celebrity Jeopardy!' in primetime. A fan questioned on the thread, "Where do you think they’re going to get questions for Masters without their writers?" Another fan responded to them with, "Yeah, there's no way it gets moved earlier with no one to write the clues. Only unscripted programming could be expected to move into the gap."
A fan brought up the fact that there is another strike that will be commencing this week by the SAG union of performers and actors. They said, "Also, where are they going to get hosts, with Ken and Mayim both members of SAG-AFTRA, and SAG-AFTRA likely going on strike on Wednesday?" Another one concluded with, "If the strike continues into the fall and they try to find a way to continue the show without the writers, I don't think they'll have Ken or Mayim. Bottom line, we have no idea when the show will be back, either in syndication or on ABC." A user agreed with them saying, "If the strike continues into the fall tv season, there won't be any Jeopardy at all."
Many 'Jeopardy!' viewers have come to the conclusion that there will be no new episodes of the game show following the completion of the current season, with one of them saying, "I'd be shocked if we got anymore Jeopardy before the strike ends."
