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Mayim Bialik Unlikely to Return to ‘Jeopardy!’ This Year as She Stands With Writers & Actors During Strikes

Photo: JPI

Choosing to stand with the ongoing union battles for Hollywood writers and actors (WGA and SAG-AFTRA), Jeopardy! host, Mayim Bialik will probably not be back on-air in her game show duties through 2023.

A source told The Messenger on Bialik’s status with the show: “She wasn’t fired. She’s choosing to stand with her union, and because of that, she was told it is unlikely she will return for the rest of the year, even if the strike is resolved before then.”

Previously, an official press release was issued by ABC the week of August 22nd where it revealed that Celebrity Jeopardy! will return for Season 2 on September 27th, Ken Jennings as the sole host, instead of Bialik.

Photo: SPT

SAG-AFTRA’s National Code of Fair Practice for Network Television Broadcasting (NetCode) that covers daytime soap operas also covers game shows. So, if Bialik wanted her job back at this point, she could cross the picket lines potentially without issue.

However, it should also be noted that syndicated Jeopardy! and ABC’s Celebrity Jeopardy! are both written by WGA members, further confounding the situation.

Photo: AP

Bialik exited Jeopardy! in its final week of taping season 39 in solidarity with the writers, which left Ken Jennings to take over the role.  She had stepped away from hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! to avoid crossing picket lines, since Mayim is also a noted actress from her days on The Big Bang Theory and other TV and film roles.

So, what do you think of Mayim’s decision to stay away from Jeopardy! till the Hollywood union strikes reach some resolution? Do you think they will ultimately have her back when the strikes end? Comment below.

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I respect her support of the unions. She should be admired for doing so. What happens with Jeopardy is a big question mark, since we don’t know how long the strikes will last and things can change. But I’m hoping it’s her choice to go back or not.

Good for her

Good because she is awful at hosting. It’s painful to watch.

Then don’t do anything painful and don’t watch

I’m very sorry to hear this. I love Mayim and really enjoy her hosting Jeopardy. That said, I respect her decision to stand in solidarity with the striking unions. I hope the strikes end soon so that everyone can get back to the work they love.

I agree and also enjoy her hosting. She has a charm, ease, and sense of humor that Ken still has to force. Of course, he’s not a seasoned performer yet so he gets some slack. I like having them both and agree about the strike decision.

That is fine with me. Prefer Ken

I respect her wish to honor the picket line. But truthfully I don’t miss her as host. She should stick to acting because she is a terrible host.

Agreed

I agree with Moto62 keep her off for good. I don’t watch the show when she is host.

Me either

She is a stone at the podium. Very little personalization with the contestants. I too watch very little when she hosts. Not good at all.

I will watch because I love the show. But every time she hosts it is cringeworthy for me. I will not miss her as host.

I hope she is never on Jeopardy again!

Shes the worst jeopardy host ever and im old enough to have seen them all.liked her on big bang but terrible onthis one,so whatever got her off the show im in favor of.kens great

I understand her decision, but she should be replaced. If I walked off in strike at my job, I would be replaced!

Keep her off, Ken is much better

No she had a responsibility to jeopardy. No she should be fired. Ken Jennings is more like Alex trebec. Whole lot handson to look at. He does a excellent job.

Am delighted she’s leaving. I refuse to watch the show when she’s there.

Happiest day I’ve had in a long time!!

I don’t think she should have her job available anymore. Frankly I don’t believe she ever was fully committed to the show.

I enjoyed her as a host. Political crap just kills me, though

Sad to see so many anti-union comments here. She should be applauded for her stand.

Glad to see her go.

Breaking News

Patrick Mulcahey OUT as General Hospital Co-Head Writer

After various reports surfaced, it has been confirmed that Patrick Mulcahey is out as the co-head writer of General Hospital. This is after a very short tenure of under five months.

Mulcahey was named to the position back in January of 2024 along with longtime GH writer Elizabeth Korte. They replaced the team of Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, who had been the head scribes of the long-running ABC daytime drama since 2019.

A source informed Soap Opera Digest that stories created by the co-head writing team of  Mulcahey/Korte team will air through mid-summer. However they added “There will be more news to share at a later date as to the composition of the new writing team.”

In addition, eagle-eyed soap fans have seen that in recent episodes former co-head writer, Chris Van Etten has been credited, as he is reportedly a breakdown writer with the show.

Soap Opera Network is reporting that Korte has assumed the head writing duties solely on her own at the moment, while Buzz blog initially reported Mulcahey’s exit.

We will have more on the GH writing team evolution in the days ahead.

What do you think about the writing team changes at GH thus far? Comment below.

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Days Of Our Lives

TONIGHT: ‘Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer’

On Thursday night May 16th, the daytime community comes together for Daytime Stands Up – A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer, streaming live at 8 pm ET/5pm PT.

Stand Up To Cancer, in collaboration with leading daytime community voices Michael Fairman and Alan Locher, are coming together for a first-of-its-kind livestream event, Daytime Stands Up: A Benefit for Stand Up To Cancer … We All Have a Story.

The three-hour benefit will feature stars from the world of daytime drama television past and present, musical performances, and stories of emotional on- and off-screen experiences with cancer. Special celebrity guests will also join the effort to encourage viewers to support urgently needed research and new cancer treatments.  You can watch live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel, The Locher Room or the Stand Up To Cancer website.

In support of the event, SU2C will simultaneously launch a 10-day eBay silent auction, from May 16 through 26, for soap opera fans to bid on a wide range of items, including a meet-and-greet experience with the cast of NBC’s Days of Our Lives; an autographed script from the cast of CBS’s The Young and the Restless and signed merchandsise from CBS’s The Bold and the Beautiful cast; a 1:1 video call with General Hospital’s Cynthia Watros, Maura West and Laura Wright, and with daytime legends Robert Newman, Vincent Irizarry, Colleen Zenk, and more. Full details will be shared the evening of May 16, at StandUpToCancer.org/DaytimeStandsUp.

As part of the event, you will hear, cancer survivorship stories from General Hospital’s Cameron Mathison and The Young and the Restless’ Colleen Zenk, who will reflect on the impact of publicly sharing their diagnoses; and 2024 Daytime Emmy nominee Eric Braeden, who shares his battle with bladder cancer

Daytime icon Jackie Zeman, who played nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, shared by daughters Cassidy MacLeod and Lacey Gorden.

Elizabeth Hubbard who played the iconic Lucinda Walsh on As the World Turns and Dr. Althea Davis on The Doctors, shared by her on-screen daughter Martha Byrne and real-life son Jeremy Bennett.

Two-time Emmy Award-winner Jerry verDorn (Guiding Light / One Life to Live), shared by widow Beth verDorn and his on-screen wife on Guiding Light, friend and co-star Liz Keifer.

Andrea Evans, who played Tina Lord Roberts on One Life to Live, shared by her husband Stephen G. Rodriguez and daughter Kylie Rodriguez.

Kamar de los Reyes shared by his One Life to Live co-stars Michael Easton (General Hospital) Trevor St. John (The Young and the Restless).

Poignant reflections from actors who have portrayed breast cancer survivors, including Sharon Case and Eileen Davidson from The Young and the RestlessErika Slezak from One Life to LiveTina Sloan and Kim Zimmer from Guiding Light and more.

Additional talent slated to participate in the virtual benefit include (subject to change): Eddie and Kristen Alderson (One Life to Live)Elia Cantu (Days of Our Lives)The Day Players,  featuring Days of Our Lives castmates Carson BoatmanBrandon BarashWally Kurth (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee), Eric Martsolf (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee)Kassie DePaiva (One Life to Live)Don Diamont (The Bold and the Beautiful)Linsey Godfrey (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, Days of Our Lives)Leo Howard (Days of Our Lives)Lesli Kay (The Bold and the Beautiful)Eden McCoy (General Hospital)Kin Shriner (General Hospital)and Michelle Stafford (2024 Daytime Emmy nominee, The Young and the Restless).

You can watch the Daytime Stands Up livestream below. Now let us know if you have a cancer story that has affected your life via the comment section below, or how a daytime TV character who went through a cancer battle, gave you strength and courage in your own journey.

 

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General Hospital

General Hospital Receives Stage Dedication

General Hospital has yet another moment to cherish in their storied 61-year history. ABC Entertainment executives honored the daytime dramas cast and crew on May 10, 2024, by dedicating Stage 4, where the series is filmed as “The General Hospital Stage.”

ABC made the decision to acknowledge the show with the stage dedication last year, when it hit its 60th anniversary.

Network executive, Nathan Varni shared via Facebook, “This event was supposed to take place in April, 2023 but due to a multitude of reasons was postponed. Well, we finally celebrated the legacy and history of General Hospital with a stage dedication placard that will live on forever! Thanks to everyone involved with the show for all your hard work, dedication and passion for continuing to keep this show alive and running! Congrats to all involved! We deeply admire and appreciate everyone who works around the clock to bring this series to life 255 days a year!”

Photo: ABC

The stage dedication plaque reads: THE GENERAL HOSPITAL STAGE. IN HONOR OF THE ICONIC TELEVISION DRAMA’S 60TH ANNIVERSARY. SERIES DEBUT APRIL 1, 1963.

Cast members who were in attendance to be part of the dedication included: Jane Elliot (Tracy), Kelly Monaco (Sam), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Donnell Turner (Curtis), Kristina Wagner (Felicia), Maura West (Ava), Brook Kerr (Portia), Kirsten Storms (Maxie), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Amanda Setton (Brook Lynn), Chad Duell (Michael), Robert Gossett (Marshall), Eden McCoy (Josslyn), Josh Swickard (Chase), Jeff Kober (Cyrus), Hudson West (Jake) and Vernee Watson (Stella).

Photo: ABC

GH is not only the longest-running daytime soap on the air, but it is now longest-running scripted drama in all of television. The series continues to hold the record for the most Outstanding Daytime Drama award wins, taking home the Daytime Emmy Award a record 16 times.  To date, GH has filmed over 15,468 episodes.

Share your congrats to GH for their stage dedication which will continue to preserve their legacy for years to come.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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