When Alex Trebek passed away back in 2020, the sadness among Jeopardy! fans was compounded by fears about how the show would carry on in the absence of its legendary host.

After all, for millions of North Americans, Jeopardy! is more than a television show, and Trebek was much more than just a host.

The long-running quiz show is a nightly tradition in households all over the continent, and its continuing popularity is a crucial component of Trebek’s legacy.

So producers did not take lightly the duty of choosing Trebek’s replacement — in fact, the process took nearly two years.

But now, after 20 months and more than a dozen guest hosts, the show is finally ready to move forward with a new face at the helm.

Actually, make that two new faces.

Yes, if you’ve been watching Jeopardy! over the past few months, then you know that Big Bang Theory actress (and neuroscientist) Mayim Bialik has been splitting hosting duties with all-time Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings.

Now, producers have officially decided to stick with that arrangement for the foreseeable future.

According to Deadline, Jennings and Bialik have finalized deals to return as hosts for Jeopardy!‘s 39th season.

Negotiations reportedly took longer than expected, as there was some uncertainty as to how best to work around Bialik’s busy schedule.

Deadline reports that for Mayim, talks “had focused largely on availability as the new season of her Fox series Call Me Kat is set to produce more episodes next season.”

Because of Bialik’s acting duties, Jennings might be appearing as host more often next season.

But in addition to her part-time hosting duties, Mayim will be hosting Celebrity Jeopardy, which is slated to return as a primetime spinoff series on ABC.

Mayim might be the hardest working people in show business these days.

In addition to her multiple TV series, she’s the host of a mental health podcast entitled “The Breakdown With Mayim,” and she recently wrote and directed her first feature film, As Sick as They Made Us, starring Dustin Hoffman and Candice Bergen.

As for Jennings, he remains one of the most revered and beloved figures in the international trivia community.

As the all-time leader in both consecutive games and prize money won (not including tournament play), Jennings is almost as synonymous with the world of Jeopardy! as Trebek was.

Execs initially tapped Mike Richards as host, but the former Jeopardy! producer was fired from the show altogether amid allegations of professional misconduct.

Richards also served as a producer on Wheel of Fortune and was fired from that show, as well.

So after months of uncertainty, it seems that the era of Mayim and Ken is officially upon us.

We’re sure that Alex would approve of the decision.

Jeopardy! Finally Names Permanent Host: Is It Mayim Bialik or Ken Jennings? was originally published on The Hollywood Gossip .