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Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik have been named as the new hosts of Jeopardy!
Richards is the current executive producer of Jeopardy and will not host. Surprisingly the actress Bialik will host prime-time and spin off series.
"We took this decision incredibly seriously. A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show, deservingly so because it's Jeopardy! and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek." said Ravi Ahuja, chairman of global television studios and corporate development for Sony Pictures.]
According to CNBC Richards came under scrutiny when rumors first circulated last week that he could replace Trebek. Richards signed a multiyear deal with Sony in 2019, is the executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune." He also was the executive producer of "The Price is Right" for 11 years and as an executive producer of "Let's Make a Deal." He also has hosting experience. He was the host of "Beauty and the Geek" and the 2012 revival of "The Pyramid."
Bialik is best known for her portrayal of Amy Farrah Fowler on "The Big Bang Theory." She is also an author, neuroscientist, and executive producer and star of "Call Me Kat" on FOX. She will host "Jeaopardy!" National College Championship," an all-new tournament that pits 15 colleges against each other in two weeks of tense head-to-head competition.
"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. They were both at the top of our research and analysis." said Ahuja