Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik named new hosts of ‘Jeopardy!’

Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik were named the new hosts of “Jeopardy!” Sony said on Wednesday, ending months of speculation over who would replace late and beloved host Alex Trebek.

Richards, the current “Jeopardy!” executive producer, will host the long-running daily subscribed program. And, in a surprise move, actor Bialik will host television and franchise series.

“We took this decision very seriously,” said Ravi Ahuja, president of global television studios and business development for Sony Pictures.

“There has been a tremendous amount of work and deliberation, perhaps more than ever in the selection of hosts for a show – and rightly so because it’s ‘Jeopardy!’ and we follow the incomparable Alex Trebek. “

“Danger!” has traveled a number of hosts since Trebek passed away last November. Potential permanent replacements for Trebek included Ken Jennings, a writer with the longest winning streak on “Jeopardy!” story, reporter Katie Couric, professional football star Aaron Rodgers, presenter Anderson Cooper, CNBC financial reporter David Faber and actor LeVar Burton.

Richards, who signed a multi-year contract with Sony in 2019, is the executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “The Wheel of Fortune”. He was executive producer of “The Price is Right” for 11 years and worked as executive producer of “Let’s Make a Deal”. He has hosted several series including “Beauty and the Geek” and the 2012 cover of “The Pyramid”.

Richards came under scrutiny when rumors first circulated last week that he could replace Trebek as the host of “Jeopardy!”

During his tenure as co-executive producer of “The Price is Right,” a discrimination lawsuit was filed by Brandi Cochran in 2010 against CBS and FremantleMedia. The costume claimed the model was not invited to return to the show after taking pregnancy leave. The case was eventually settled, but Richards faced further complaints of discrimination during pregnancy beyond Cochran, which were unsuccessful.

“These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show,” Richards said in a note to staff last week. “I want you all to know that the way my comments and actions were characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on ‘The Price is Right,'” Richards noted in his memo. to staff this week. “

Bialik, best known for her portrayal of Amy Farrah Fowler in CBS’s “The Big Bang Theory,” is a writer, neuroscientist and executive producer and star of Fox’s “Call Me Kat.”

It will host the “Jeopardy! National College Championship”, a brand new tournament that will pit 15 colleges against each other over two weeks of intense competition.

Ahuja said a group of senior Sony Picture Television executives consulted several panels and focus groups to select Richards and Bialik.

“We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices,” he said. “They were both at the top of our research and analysis.”