Ken Jennings, "Jeopardy's' foremost champion, took the stage as a new full-time host, replacing Mayim Bialik, on Monday night's episode, unaware that his first tie back on the show in months would actually air on the anniversary of former host Alex Trebek's death.

"Apparently, everyone was aware that we were going to air (my first episode) on the anniversary, and nobody told me," Jennings told USA Today. "They didn't want to put that in my head. So, I was not told until after that it was the Nov. 8 show."

Jennings and Bialik are sharing full-time hosting duties of the show, and his return came as the actress returned to taping her sitcom "Call Me Kat." The two will be sharing the duty through the end of the year, a decision that came after Bialik was initially tapped to host the show for prime-time episodes and special tournaments.

"Jeopardy's" former host, Trebek, lost his battle to pancreatic cancer on Nov. 8, 2020. He was 80 years old and hosted "Jeopardy" for 37 seasons. Since his death, the show has struggled to find a new host amid controversies and scandal. Fifteen people, according to AV Club, including Aaron Rodgers and LeVar Burton, guest-hosted the show in the interim.

The full-time gig ultimately went to Mike Richards, an executive producer on the show at a time who also performed as a guest host, though his tenure was short-lived, after past sexist remarks he made on a podcast in 2014 resurfaced.

Bialik has expressed interest in hosting full-time, and Jennings is also keen on potentially taking on the role.

"If my country called upon me to host 'Jeopardy!' I would happily do my patriotic duty . . . it's just enormously flattering to be in the mix. And I feel like the show is in good hands, at this point, no matter what happens," he told USA Today.

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