'Jeopardy!' Adds Two Hosts, But Few Fans Are Satisfied

The post-Trebek Jeopardy! saga has come to an end, as yesterday, Sony Pictures announced that Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik will split hosting duties for the long-running trivia game show. Richards will take the nightly hosting work while Bialik will host primetime specials and tournaments.

Announcing Mayim Bialik and Mike Richards as our new hosts of Jeopardy! Richards will host the daily syndicated show, while Bialik will host primetime and spinoff series.https://t.co/MVQAqnKgjU pic.twitter.com/itY6fIe5Uv

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) August 11, 2021

Both Richards and Bialik had turns guest-hosting the show in the seven months following Alex Trebek's passing. Critics judged that Richards performed admirably during his run as guest host, but the idea that the series' executive producer would step into the role rankled fans as nepotistic, particularly when there was a crowd push to get Reading Rainbow's LeVar Burton the gig.

JEOPARDY CHOSE TWO HOSTS AND NEITHER IS NAMED LEVAR BURTON.

— Lil Uzi Hurt 🥺 (@lostblackboy) August 11, 2021

Despite being a Twitter favorite, Burton's episodes as guest host performed poorly ratings-wise, attracting 4.4 million viewers while Richards scored 5.9 million viewers. Bialik scored 5.1 million viewers during her run. Some users still felt this was a raw deal for Burton, whose week as the host had to compete with the Olympics for ratings.

LRT: You made folks like Levar Burton & etc put on whole shows like circus acts. You put Burton & his “week” (not “weeks” like other guests got) up against the fucking OLYMPICS just to promote from “within”. I wish for nothing more than the downfall of Jeopardy & its implosion.

— Clarkisha Kent (@IWriteAllDay_) August 6, 2021

While social media bemoaned the impression that Richards "gave himself" the job, the decision was made by top Sony executives, who reportedly considered ratings and various other factors in making the decision. Despite this, it seems a good swath of fans were unhappy with the decision to have Richards take over the nightly hosting duties. Others were split on Bialik, as some thought she did well in the role, while others thought aspects of her past should have been disqualifying.

I’m glad to see Mayim Bialik, but definitely was on team LeVar Burton. The two of them would’ve been great together https://t.co/NXmmiigyVa

— Andrew Millin (@ajm0614) August 11, 2021

I will never forget or forgive Mayim Bialik’s disgusting slut-shaming victim-blaming garbage NYT editorial in the wake of the Weinstein revelations. Truly awful. pic.twitter.com/NV9dXwAsEh

— Summer Anne Burton (@summeranne) August 11, 2021

Time will tell if Richards and Balik will end up being suitable replacements for Trebek, but until people get used to the change, the prevailing sentiment about their new gig seems fairly clear.

What many “Jeopardy!” fans are feeling by this new hosting announcement of splitting hosting duties between Mike Richards hosting the regular show and Mayim Bialik hosting prime time specials

I think the legendary Alex Trebek says it best… pic.twitter.com/5mK3KSboPS

— Zach (@zacharack) August 11, 2021

How I feel about the new Jeopardy! Hosts pic.twitter.com/16ldvxvZjV

— Nichole™️ (@seehawkswin) August 11, 2021