Long-running game show “Jeopardy!” finally has made its decision on who will succeed the late Alex Trebek in being the game show’s permanent host — and fans are not having it.
After seven months of rotating guest hosts, Sony Pictures decided on Wednesday, Aug. 11, that “Jeopardy” executive producer Mike Richards, 46, and actress Mayim Bialik, 45, as the show’s two hosts. Richards will take on the responsibility of hosting the daily shows while Bialik will host spin-off and prime time specials.
Doubling down on what a company representative, usually Richards, has said for months while searching for their permanent host, corporate development for Sony Pictures Ravi Ahuja said in a press release, “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.”
The news isn’t celebrated by all, especially after the recent news that Richards had been involved in several discrimination and harassment lawsuits in his previous role as executive producer of the popular game show “The Price Is Right.” Not to mention that people had high hopes for one of the other guests to get the role like LeVar Burton, whom fans created a petition for with over $250,000 signatures to get him the guest host gig.
While Richards assured fans earlier this week in a statement that “No final decisions have been made and discussions with me and other potential hosts are still ongoing,” it looks like the same wasn’t true for the “Blossoms” and “Big Bang Theory” actress who revealed she knew for a “long-time.”
She took to Twitter after the news was confirmed and wrote, “IT’S TRUE!!! Been waiting a long time to tell you all. Really really honored and astounded and excited for this – it’s beyond anything I ever imagined could happen.”
Many fans showed no interest in Richards being a new host, while others were ambivalent about Bialik.
“Not happy with this. Mayim Bialik is ok. However, I really wanted Ken Jennings,” said one fan.
“This is unbelievably disappointing. Mayim Bialik is amazing, but Mike Richards shouldn’t have been allowed anywhere near this gig. Shame on you for ruining this show I have loved for my whole life.”
Some couldn’t help but mention Bialik not being the best option as a host because of her past opinion piece about Harvey Weinstein victims. Many took offense to her piece after she claimed that she was not a “perfect 10,” “dressed modestly,” and doesn’t “act flirtatiously with men as a policy,” and for these reasons, she has the “‘luxury’ of being overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men of power.”
The fan that pointed it out wrote, “#MikeRichards: Accused of harassment & racial discrimination & basically hired himself? #MayimBialik: Blamed Weinstein’s victims for dressing too sexy & claimed her family was “non-vaccinating”? I’ll take”hosting choices that’ll make me turn off the TV” for $200 #Jeopardy.”
Richards will begin hosting at the start of the 38th season later this year, and Bialik will host the “Jeopardy! National College Championship” special in 2022.
