Could Mayim Bialik take over ‘Jeopardy’ host duties?

How hard has it been in the search for a new permanent host on the Jeopardy! show? Apparently, it’s been a lot more difficult than most would think. After all, it is quite a lot of pressure to take on the role that once belonged to the late and great Alex Trebek that once hosted this show so flawlessly. Now though, it seems like Mayim Bialik is next on board to be a host for the game show. Let’s take a look at all the details we know of here. 

Taking on the show for a bit

It looks like Mayim Bialik is officially on board as the Jeopardy! host. In a statement made to Yahoo Entertainment, Sony announced that “Sony Pictures Television confirms that Mayim Bialik will fill in as host of the Jeopardy! syndicated program this week. She is currently scheduled to tape three weeks of episodes (15 episodes) when production resumes this week”. In the past, the show usually tapes five episodes in a single day. 

Sony also verified that additional guest hosts will be announced throughout the next few weeks. Sources even confirmed to the Hollywood Reporter that Mayim Bialik was the “top choice” when it came to being the host of the Jeopardy! game show in the past, but due to her hectic work schedule for her upcoming sitcom titled Call Me Kat, she was unable to commit. However, she will commit to it if her future schedule can be adjusted.

Yahoo Entertainment even revealed that a source stated that “there’s definitely more than guest hosting that could potentially happen here” when it came to Mayim Bialik being a part of the show. However, of course, nothing is yet set in stone. This hard decision will have to be given the okay by many folks such as the chief executive of Sony Pictures Entertainment, the chairman of Global Television Studios, and tons more folks. 

Past scandals 

This announcement came after the very controversial scandal that occurred when executive producer Mike Richards was revealed as a top candidate for the role of the new Jeopardy! host. Upon news of Mike Richards being considered for the spot, he was called out for his problematic past and many misogynistic, racist, and anti-Semitic jokes he made during a podcast in the years of 2013 to 2014 were brought up by many folks. 

Mike Richards was also called out for past lawsuits and allegations made against him that happened during his time as executive producer on the hit game show The Price is Right. Some of these accusations and lawsuits included a past model on The Price is Right accusing him of discriminating against her due to her pregnancy. Since then, Mike Richards has stepped down from the position and released a statement to all of the fans. 

Mike Richards shared to fans of the beloved game show: “As I mentioned last week, I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show. As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately”.

However, Mike Richards will still be staying on the show as an executive producer, and revealed that the search for a permanent Jeopardy! host will still be continuing. He did however shoot five episodes on the game show before he announced he was stepping down which is scheduled to air on the week of September 13th which will kick off season thirty-eight. Mayim Bialik will be taking over the show temporarily on September 20th.