According to reports, Mayim Bialik has walked off the Jeopardy! set in solidarity of the ongoing Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike.
Following the passing of long-term presenter Alex Trebek in November 2020, the Big Bang Theory actress, 47, resumed presenting the famous quiz show.
She was later named as the co-host of the primetime specials with Ken Jennings, however she has apparently opted to skip the forthcoming broadcasts due to the strike.
The WGA, which represents thousands of TV and film writers, staged a strike on May 2 when major studios failed to give a sufficient pay package.
According to Deadline, she will be in solidarity with the writers for the last set of episodes for Season 39, with Ken taking up her responsibilities.
According to the source, the remaining episodes will be shot at the Sony Pictures studio next week.
WGA writers participate to the series, although the questions for the episodes are said to have been settled on before the strike began.
Among the authors who walked out earlier this month were Michele Loud, Billy Wisse, and Jim Rhine.
Discussing the situation with Variety, Michele said: ‘Our words are on the screen every night.
‘There is no Jeopardy without writers. Without us it’s just an empty blue screen.’
This month, writers walked out in the largest strike since 2007, when over 12,000 employees notably refused to work for more than three months.
At the time, the strike hampered production on popular television series such as 24, Breaking Bad, Desperate Housewives, and Saturday Night Live.
Jennifer Coolidge, Pedro Pascal, and Joseph Quinn used their individual acceptance speeches at last weekend’s MTV Movie and TV Awards to support people ‘fighting’ for better working conditions.
‘You know, almost all great comedy starts with great writers,’ Jennifer declared in a pre-recorded message. ‘As a proud member of SAG, I stand here before you tonight, side by side with my sisters and brothers from the WGA, that are fighting right now, fighting for the rights of artists everywhere.’
Pedro – who won three MTV awards during the ceremony – said: ‘We are all … standing in solidarity with the WGA that is fighting very hard for fair wages. We thank you, we love you.’
While Stranger Things newcomer Joseph added: ‘I don’t think that people would connect with a character like Eddie or others in the Stranger Things universe without compassionate, intelligent, quality writing.
‘Being a writer is a hard job. It deserves respect.
‘If we respect each other, we can cultivate a kinder, more inclusive, more collaborative environment for everyone… that’d be nice.’