“Double Jeopardy” just took on a whole new meaning. In an unexpected move forJeopardy!, Sony Pictures Television has announced two hosts for the first time in the game show’s history. BothMike RichardsandMayim Bialikhave been named as the show’s new hosts.
Richards, who waspreviously rumoredto be a frontrunner for the host’s podium, will take over duties hosting the daily syndicated program. He joined the show as an executive producer last year, and guest hostedin February, and has previously hosted shows includingDivided,The Pyramid, andBeauty and the Geek. Bialik, best known as an actress on shows likeBlossomandThe Big Bang Theory, guest hosted the show in June, and will host the show’s primetime and spin-off specials, beginning with theJeopardy! National College Championshipfor ABC.
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The quiz show has featured a number of guest hosts in the wake of longtime hostAlex Trebek’s deathlast year. Those guests have ranged from formerJeopardy!championsKen JenningsandBuzzy Cohento broadcasters includingKatie CouricandAnderson Cooper. A protracted social media campaign to makeStar Trek: The Next Generationstar andReading RainbowhostLeVar Burtonthe permanent host culminated inhim guest hosting in July. Other guest hosts included broadcasterDr. Oz, Green Bay Packers quarterbackAaron Rodgers,60 MinutescorrespondentBill Whitaker,Todayshow co-hostSavannah Guthrie, CNN Chief Medical CorrespondentDr. Sanjay Gupta,Good Morning Americaco-hostsGeorge StephanopoulosandRobin Roberts, broadcasterDavid Faber, and sportscasterJoe Buck.
The news arrives amid some controversy, asaccusations of harassment and discriminationof the models onThe Price is Righthave reemerged against Richards, who served as executive producer on the game show from 2009 to 2018. The accusations weredismissed in court in 2012, and Richards was quick to distance himself from their portrayal of his actions in a memo toJeopardy!staff, writing, “I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together onThe Price is Right.” Even so, the news is sure to disappoint many fans who may have been pulling for Burton or any of the other guest hosts.
Season 37 ofJeopardy!concludes this week with Buck as guest host.
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