Mayim Bialik poses with book about 'stress and anxiety' that's been 'bedside' after Jeopardy! firing

BIG Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik has turned to a self-help book that she's now keeping "bedside" according to a somber new Instagram selfie.

The former Jeopardy! host was abruptly fired from the program last month, making Ken Jennings the sole host.

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Mayim, 48, dropped her latest Instagram post on Tuesday in her Los Angeles home.

She held up the self-help book she found solace in during these challenging times.

Sporting unkempt hair, glasses, a hoodie, and a subtle smile, she posed with the page-turner titled "Stress Resets: How To Soothe Your Body and Mind in Minutes."

It was authored by Dr. Jenny Taitz, whom Mayim had as the guest on her weekly Bialik's Breakdown podcast - albeit way back in 2021.

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In her caption, Mayim expressed her appreciation for the valuable insights provided by Dr. Jenny's book.

She wrote: "So enjoyed when we had @drjennytaitz on the podcast and her new book is SO helpful for managing stress and anxiety!

"I’m so grateful for this easy to digest format and so many practical suggestions I’ve already started implementing.

The post was accompanied by a shoutout to Dr. Jenny for creating this valuable resource, which Mayim now keeps "bedside."

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It was unclear what caused the "stress and anxiety" to which Mayim referred. Notably, comments on the post, much like on the ousted actress's other posts, were disabled.

BYE-ALIK

On December 15, Mayim announced that she was fired from Jeopardy! personally on Instagram, sending shockwaves across social media.

"As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news," she began her post.

"Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!

"I am incredibly honored to have been nominated for a primetime Emmy for hosting this year and am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been part of the Jeopardy! family.

"For all of you who have supported me through this journey and to the fans, contestants, writers, staff of America's favorite quiz show, thank you."

JEOPARDY!'S STATEMENT

About an hour later, the official Jeopardy! Instagram page confirmed the news.

"We have made the decision to have one host for the syndicated show next season to maintain continuity for our viewers," the statement said.

They went on to say that Ken, 49, will be the sole host of the show.

"We are truly grateful for all of Mayim's contributions to Jeopardy!, and we hope to work with her in the future on primetime specials," the game show wrote.

Mayim has since removed "co-host @jeopardy" from her Instagram bio.

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SOMBER MONTH AFTER FIRING

Mayim has kept a low profile since her exit from Jeopardy!, mainly focusing on her podcast.

Mayim and Jonathan Cohen, romantic partners of 12 years, co-host the podcast "Mayim Bialik's Breakdown."

The couple abruptly took a week off in January, and explaining the hiatus, she referred to the past year as a "dumpster fire."

Cohen has also embarked on multiple solo hikes since her firing, including one to Arizona for an "internal reset."

He's also taken time alone to share sunset-stricken solo videos where he admitted to having "decision sadness."

Mayim has only mentioned Jeopardy! publically once since her firing, congratulating the show on winning a Primetime Emmy.

She also shared a hopeful message in early January on her own Instagram page while smiling in the pouring rain.

"As the rain washes away 2023, I can’t help but hope it’s making way for a brighter 2024."

Currently, with her Call Me Kat sitcom canceled last year, Mayim - who shares her sons Miles, 17, and Frederick, 14, with her ex-husband, Michael Stone - has no major TV projects on the books.

DECISION AXE-PLAINED

Jeopardy! is yet to give further details on the abrupt axe, but other reports have come out about what went wrong for the star.

Sources have claimed Mayim's monthlong hiatus while still under her $4 million annual contract was a major reason behind her firing.

The actress hadn't been on set since last spring, standing with the Writers Guild of America when they went on strike.

As the actress' absence dragged on through the summer, questions began to swirl around her future with the franchise.

The speculation grew in August when Jeopardy! released an official new poster celebrating the show's prior season that featured Ken but not Mayim. 

Then, Jeopardy! dropped a poster of Ken front and center for Celebrity Jeopardy!, previously hosted by Mayim as her distance grew.

Sources also claimed that Mayim's refusal to work during the strike didn't upset the bosses - instead, it prompted them to rethink their dual host system, ultimately leading to her departure.

"The bosses weren't mad when Mayim refused to work during this year's strike," sources told TMZ.

Instead, they claimed that her hiatus "opened executives' eyes about their dual host system, and that's why they moved on."

"Mayim stepping away gave Ken an opportunity, and he took it and ran with it, improving his hosting skills while she was away," they said.

Sources also said that Sony planned to let Mayim go at the start of Season 41, or next September.

"Sony recently informed her that her services won’t be needed next season.

"She was offered the chance to stay on for the rest of this season, but she said no thanks," the report claimed.

They wanted to keep the door open for her, and offered a position in the future on Celebrity Jeopardy! but she pushed back.

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It was claimed that she demanded an all-or-nothing approach, not wanting to be confined to only Celebrity Jeopardy!

When Sony said no to her pushback, she refused to participate further, instead dropping her announcement "without consulting" the show.

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