Jeopardy! has named Mayim Bialik as its first guest host after newly announced host Mike Richards stepped down on Aug. 20, amid a string of scandals.
The Big Bang Theory actress and neuroscientist will host the trivia show for 15 episodes, with additional guest hosts to be announced later.
“She’s stepping in for now, but she’d certainly be excited to take on a larger role,” a source told The Hollywood Reporter on Monday.
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Richards announced he would no longer host Jeopardy! on Friday morning in a memo to staff, following a string of embarrassing revelations from his past.
First there was backlash after prior harassment and discrimination lawsuits resurfaced from his time as executive producer of The Price is Right. Then The Ringer posted a story revealing offensive comments Richards made on his podcast “The Randumb Show” between 2013 and 2014, including mocking women for their weight, calling one model a “booth slut” and repeatedly praising “the average white-guy host.”
A revolving door of guests hosts had auditioned for the coveted Jeopardy! gig after longtime host Alex Trebek died in November 2020, following a battle with pancreatic cancer.
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Sony Pictures Television had been looking for someone to be the new face of the long-running trivia show before Richards was named permanent host on Aug. 11.
He is also executive producer on Jeopardy!, sparking criticism that the host selection process may have been rigged.
Richards had only taped one episode as permanent host for season 38 of the syndicated show before stepping down.
THR reports he will continue with Jeopardy! as executive producer, but will not be involved in the process of vetting the show’s next host.
Aside from guest hosting upcoming episodes, Bialik will also host Jeopardy!’s primetime specials, including the upcoming Jeopardy! National College Championship set to air in 2022 on ABC.
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