Jeopardy!'s dual hosting plan reportedly came about because Mayim Bialik was too busy for the main gig

Mayim Bialik
(Image credit: Jeopardy!)

How did Jeopardy!'s host search end with not one, but two people being hired? Some new details are beginning to trickle out.

Jeopardy! confirmed this week it has hired executive producer Mike Richards as the permanent new host of the syndicated quiz show, but there was a surprise additional detail: The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik was also hired to host Jeopardy!'s "primetime and spinoff series." Fans expressed confusion over why the show was tapping two hosts, and some even alleged Sony was trying to distract from the controversy over Richards getting the daily job. On Friday, though, TMZ reported that Bialik actually might have gotten the main, full-time gig "if she just had the time."

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.