ABC gameshows are taking primetime slots to fill program gaps due to the Writers Guild of America strike, according to a report from Deadline.
Celebrity Jeopardy! will premiere at 8 p.m. on September 27, with Ken Jennings as a full-time host. Jennings previously shared hosting duties with Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, who declined to host the final week of season 39 to stand in solidarity with striking writers and actors.
In addition, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune’s premiere airs at 9 p.m. and The $100,000 Pyramid at 10 p.m. the same night. Shark Tank’s season 15 premiere, AFV, The Golden Bachelor and Bachelor in Paradise have also claimed primetime slots going into October.
The heavy lineup of unscripted to shows will likely be more of the norm this fall season with studios still working to resolve a strike with Hollywood writers that has lasted more than 100 days. In addition, the SAG-AFTRA actors strike risks extending the halt in production until they get their own agreement hammered out.
For ABC, that has meant reaching for unscripted shows like Dancing with the Stars to fill the void left by Jimmy Kimmel Live!, mockumentary Abbott Elementary and other scripted shows.