On Wednesday, Sony Pictures Television announced that The Pyramid host, Mike Richards, will be Jeopardy‘s new full-time host beginning on season 38. Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik will host the show’s prime-time and spin-off series, including next year’s Jeopardy! National College Championship.
“We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were undeniable choices,” said Ravi Ahuja, the chairman of global television studios and corporate developments for Sony Pictures, in a statement. “They were both at the top of our research and analysis. Mike is a unique talent, at ease behind the podium and a double treat as producer and host. Mayim has a wonderful energy, an innate sense of the game.”
The news of Richards and Bialik being named as the show’s new hosts came after several guest hosts following the death of Jeopardy host, Alex Trebek in November 2020. Several celebrities got behind the podium during that time period, including Richards, Bialik, Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers, Anderson Cooper, Robin Roberts, Dr. Mehmet Oz, LeVar Burton and Ken Jennings, who will work as the show’s consulting producer.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to join the Jeopardy! family,” Bialik said in a statement. “What started out with my 15-year-old repeating 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 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!”
Richards has faced controversy since it was first announced that he would potentially become the show’s next host because of a discrimination lawsuit against his previous employer, The Price is Right.
In 2012, model Brandi Cochran claimed that the producers at FremantleMedia North America and The Price Is Right Productions discriminated against her due to her pregnancy.
“Go figure, I fire five models. What are the odds one of the ones I keep gets pregnant?” Richards allegedly said, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Richards responded to the lawsuit in a memo sent to the Jeopardy staff this week. “The way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on The Price is Right,” he wrote.
“I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to host the syndicated version of Jeopardy!,” Richards said in the statement that announced he was becoming the host. “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. Alex believed the game itself and the contestants are the most important aspects of the show. I was fortunate to witness his professionalism, intensity, and kindness up close and that will serve as the ultimate blueprint as we continue to produce the show we love.”
“I am thrilled that Mayim is joining the Jeopardy! team. 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,” he said.
