After months of trials of different hosts, on Wednesday, Sony announced Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik will be the new permanent hosts of “Jeopardy!”
Richards has been the show’s executive producer for years and will continue to keep his role once he starts hosting. Bialik, a real-life neuroscientist, enjoyed small screen success playing Amy Farrah on “Big Bang Theory” that ended its 12-season run in 2019. The author is also known to fans as the character “Blossom” from the 90s sitcom of the same name.
In a statement, Richards paid tribute to Alex Trebek by saying, “Alex believed the game itself and the contestants are the most important aspects of the show. I was fortunate to witness his professionalism, intensity and kindness up close and that will serve as the ultimate blueprint as we continue to produce the show we love.”
Bialik will host prime-time specials and spin-offs, while Richards will be the full-time how of the daily program.
The actress took to her Instagram to announce her new title and said in her caption that she was “really honored and astounded and excited for this.”
Since the death of Alex Trebek, who hosted the show for 36 seasons, Sony has had the difficult task of finding his replacement.
For seven months, the program had a variety of guest hosts ranging from actors, journalists, and even an NFL quarterback trying to win the spot of the permanent host, but ultimately Mike Richards seemed to be the best fit.
The news of the choice for hosts has been met with mixed reactions from viewers, and there were even speculations that Richards made the decision himself.
Sony Pictures’ chair of global TV studios corporate development, Ravy Ahuja said, “a senior group of Sony Pictures Television executives pored over footage from every episode, reviewed research from multiple panels and focus groups, and got valuable input from our key partners and Jeopardy! viewers. We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices. They were both at the top of our research and analysis.”
Photo Credit: Sony Pictures Television/Amanda Edwards / Getty Images
