Jeopardy! officially has its next host…s
As expected after the rumor mill churned out his name multiple times, executive producer Mike Richards will step into the permanent position behind the podium, left open after the death of long time and well-loved host, Alex Trebek.
Starting September 13, the 38th season of Jeopardy! will premiere with Richards as the new host.
“We are thrilled to begin the next chapter of America’s Favorite Quiz Show with Mike hosting our daily show,” stated Ravi Ahuja, of Sony Pictures, “and Mayim hosting new versions of Jeopardy!”
That’s right, actress and bona fide smarty pants with a PhD in neuroscience, Mayim Bialik has been tapped to be the new host of Jeopardy! primetime and spinoff series. This will include the just-announced Jeopardy! National College Championship, a new tournament airing in prime time on ABC next year.
Jeopardy Officially Announces New Host… And Hostess
Despite misgivings that arose when Richards was first rumored to be in “advanced negotiations” to be the new host, including allegations of harassment on The Price Is Right where Richards served as executive producer, Ahuja assures fans “We took this decision incredibly seriously.”
He adds that footage from every guest host episode was reviewed and researched from “multiple panels and focus groups”.
“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,” Ahuja continued his statement.
Richards, 46 guest-hosted in February while Bialik, 45, took the reins in May.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to host the syndicated version of Jeopardy!,” Richards said in a 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.”
He went on to praise late host, Trebek and speak of the fortune he felt at being up to witness Trebek’s “professionalism, intensity and kindness up close”, assuring he will use this as a blueprint for his own hosting future.
“I am thrilled that Mayim is joining the Jeopardy! team,” Richards continued. “Her academic track record and enthusiasm for the game made her a terrific guest host. It will be a privilege to produce the primetime series with her as host.”
Bialik, similarly, is thrilled with her new role, marveling at how a post on social media found by her teenaged child urging Bialik’s name to be thrown in the ring as a guest host “has turned into one of the most exciting and surreal opportunities of my life! I’m so grateful and excited to continue to work with Mike Richards, and I’m just over the moon to join forces with him and Sony. After all the conversations we’ve had about this partnership, I am just so ready to get started!”
What do you think of the final choice(s) for host? Let us know what you think (and what you believe Alex would think) in the comments below and watch Jeopardy!, weeknights on NBC.
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