'Jeopardy!' Selects Mike Richards, Mayim Bialik as Hosts
Jeopardy! announced Wednesday it found a replacement, or rather replacements, for Alex Trebek: Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik.
Richards is the executive producer for Jeopardy!, having joined the long-running game show shortly before Trebek's 2020 death. He previously worked on The Price Is Right, and his name had surfaced as the frontrunner for the position in recent weeks.
Sony Pictures Television announced that Richards will be the full-time host for the 38th season of the daily syndicated show. Bialik will host primetime specials, tournaments and spinoff series.
Bialik is a neuroscientist and author, though she's better known for her acting work on shows like Blossom and The Big Bang Theory. She and Richards have taken turns in the recent rotating lineup of guest hosts, which also included NFL star Aaron Rodgers, actor LeVar Burton and Katie Couric.
Sony also announced that Jeopardy!'s top winner, Ken Jennings, will continue as a consulting producer for the show, a role he took on in September of 2020.
"We are thrilled to begin the next chapter of America's Favorite Quiz Show with Mike hosting our daily show and Mayim hosting new versions of Jeopardy!," Ravi Ahuja, chairman of Global Television Studios and Corporate Development for Sony Pictures, said in a statement.
"We took this decision incredibly seriously. A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show—deservedly so because it's Jeopardy! and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek. 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."
About his new role, Richards said in the Sony statement: "Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being chosen to step into a role of this magnitude. I am incredibly humbled to step behind the lectern and will work tirelessly to make sure our brilliant contestants shine in each and every episode.
"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."
The press release also included a message from Bialik, who noted she was "just over the moon" to join Richards.
"What started out with my 15-year-old repeating a rumor from Instagram that I should guest host the show has turned into one of the most exciting and surreal opportunities of my life!" she said.
Updated 08/11/21, 2:10 p.m. ET: This story has been updated to include comments from Bialik and Richards.
