The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik was been named as one of two new hosts of the long-running US television game show Jeopardy!, replacing the award-winning presenter Alex Trebek, who died of cancer last year.
Bialik will share hosting duties with the show’s executive producer Mike Richards, producers announced Wednesday, after a prolonged search for Trebek’s successors.
Richards will helm daily syndicated episodes when the show embarks on season 38 next month, while Bialik will take charge of special prime time events and spin-offs, including a new collegiate championship, Sony Pictures Television said.
Bialik sympathizes with Jeopardy fans who are disappointed LeVar Burton didn’t get the hosting job. Bialik, who was named as one of the game show’s two new hosts on Wednesday, posted an Instagram video saying she, too, is a Burton fan.
“If you don’t like me as the new host of Jeopardy, I’m sorry,” Bialik said. “I love LeVar Burton.”
Burton and Bialik worked together on The Big Bang Theory, and Burton was among the guest hosts who took turns at the helm of Jeopardy in 2021 as the show tried out different contenders for the host slot in the wake of Alex Trebek’s death. The candidates ranged from former champ Ken Jennings to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
In a statement, Mayim said, “I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Jeopardy! family. 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! 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.”
