Here's How Mayim Bialik Really Feels About All The Jeopardy! Hosting Drama
Mayim Bialik's stunning transformation in the entertainment industry makes her one busy woman. In addition to her starring role on the Fox sitcom "Call Me Kat," she has also been serving as a host on "Jeopardy!" (via IMDb). Bialik shares duties with former champ Ken Jennings, but the actress has made it clear she would love to take on the role full-time, especially since she would be the game show's first permanent female host.
"I think being a female is its own mark," she told Entertainment Tonight. "My grandparents were immigrants to this country, so I think for me, being in two generations being a woman and a host in that iconic role blows my mind."
Bialik was one of the many guest hosts who tried out for the coveted job after the heartbreaking death of Alex Trebek. Some of the notable names that auditioned include LeVar Burton, Anderson Cooper, Aaron Rogers, Robin Roberts, and Katie Couric, per Newsweek. While "Jeopardy!" executive producer Mike Richards was initially handed the gig, he ultimately stepped down after it was revealed that Richards had made several offensive remarks about marginalized communities on his podcast.
It was then announced that Jennings and Bialik would split the "Jeopardy!" hosting duties for the remainder of the show's 38th season. Now, too, we know exactly how Bialik feels about the "Jeopardy!" drama.
Mayim Bialik believes social media is to blame for the game show's issues
Mayim Bialik believes that social media has played a big part in the drama over finding a new "Jeopardy!" host, especially after then-executive producer and host Mike Richards had to step down from the show after past inappropriate comments came to light.
"I think 'Jeopardy!' was a perfect example of all the things that can go wrong in terms of social media and the handling by social media of certain information that normally people would know very little about," Bialik told The Daily Beast.
Bialik is waiting to hear if her "Jeopardy!" hosting duties will continue for the show's next season, revealing that she will know more after May 6. In the meantime, she takes comfort in knowing that she has the support of the late Alex Trebek's family.
"I got to meet them when we dedicated the stage and just feel so humbled around them. I want to only honor," she told Entertainment Tonight. "You can't match him, so there's no need to try, but [we] do continuously want their blessing, that what we are doing is supporting that legacy."