Actress Mayim Bialik, that is already scheduled to host “Jeopardy!” First-time specials and referrals will serve as guest hosts for the next 15 episodes of the daily syndicated program, Sony Pictures Television confirmed to CBS News on Monday. The announcement comes after executive producer Mike Richards, who had been chosen to permanently replace Alex Trebek as host of the daily episodes, He resigned last week due to outrage at his inappropriate comments from the past.
Bialik, who is best known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in the CBS sitcom “The Big Bang Theory,” will record episodes for three weeks when production resumes this week, Sony said. More guest guests will be announced as the season continues.
When she was chosen to host the prime time specials and derivations, Sony President Ravi Ahuja said Bialik “has wonderful energy, an innate sense of the game and a genuine curiosity that naturally represents the Jeopardy brand!” .
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Earlier this year, the show spent months auditioning for a wide range of prominent figures – including Bialik, Richards, “Reading Rainbow” host LeVar Burton and former champion Ken Jennings – to replace Trebek, who was the host of the show for over 35 years before. died last November.
In early August, the show announced that Richards would be the permanent host of the daily episodes and that Bialik would host the prime time specials and referrals. But days later, The Ringer posted sexist, derogatory comments from Richards done in a podcast in 2013 and 2014, provoking a backlash against the decision.
Shortly afterwards, Richards said he would leave the role, writing in a note to staff that “it has become clear that moving forward as a host would be an excessive distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.” Richards will continue to be the show’s executive producer.