Mayim Bialik Opens Up About Ex-‘Jeopardy’ Boss Mike Richards

For the first time since the Jeopardy! host debacle began, Mayim Bialik has opened up about ex-host/EP Mike Richards. In a tell-all piece for Newsweek, Bialik talked about why hosting the show is her dream — even suggesting she’d give up her first child to become the permanent host! In the article, the current host also touched on the situation regarding Richards stepping down as both host and EP.

Back in August, Bialik was announced as a co-host of Jeopardy! with Richards: he would tackle the main syndicated show while she hosted the specials. But soon after Richards was announced, a flurry of past controversial comments he made on a podcast resurfaced, as well as old lawsuits involving harassment and discrimination during his time on The Price is Right. Bialik provided a bit of behind-the-scenes context as to what was going on in her life during this time.

“I didn’t immediately know who the other host was going to be,” Bialik said, “and after Mike Richards was announced as permanent host, a couple more weeks passed and then everything changed and Mike stepped down.”

Bialik continued to shed light on the whole experience, saying she was simply following orders as the news continued to shake the Jeopardy! landscape.

“I think everyone who works with me will say that, as a person who has been acting since I was a kid, I go where I’m pointed and I do the job I’m told to do,” she said. “I do what’s in front of me. I don’t really follow the news aspect of my industry too much.”

So instead of getting her news from the headlines, Bialik was hearing everything from her boss: who was Richards, of course. But Bialik says she was simply around to help the situation.

“That’s how I approached what was going on,” Bialik concluded on the matter. “Of course I was in touch with Mike as he was my boss at that time, and I don’t wish ill on him, or anyone. But the complexity of these situations is not something that can be summed up easily. My first response, when all of this went down, was to say to the Jeopardy! team: ‘How can I help?’ Because I am part of this family.”

The Big Bang Theory star is currently hosting Jeopardy!, and she’s currently set to host until Nov. 5. Then, she and Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings will switch out until the end of the year. Bialik opened up about Jennings’ legacy, as well as current champ Matt Amodio‘s major streak.

“I got to take over hosting duties in the middle of Matt Amodio’s run. He’s so on the ball and so well-rounded and easy-going, and I just marvel at that,” Bialik said. “So far, Ken Jennings—who I am sharing hosting duties with for the rest of 2021—and I have only had the chance to interact once at a press conference, he is much taller than I thought he would be! I look forward to the opportunity to talk to him more. I’ll certainly take any pointers he’s got!”

Jeopardy! airs weeknights on ABC at 7/6c.

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