Jeopardy will never see another host as highly acclaimed and respected legend, Alex Trebek, but after many months of deliberations, it seems the network has finally settled on who will be able to best take his place on the show. It has just been announced that Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik will be teaming up to take the reigns and bring fresh perspective to this respected, long-running game show that Americans love to dearly. Fox News reports that this decision has been met with mixed reviews from fans online, which was something that was expected. Alex Trebek's role on Jeopardy was so iconic, that representatives of the show expected there would be some time required for the successful transition of hosting duties. Fans are thrilled to see the show take new form, in spite of it being a difficult adjustment to absorb.
Until now, Mike Richards has been working diligently behind the scenes of Jeopardy. His role was that of executive producer, so to say that he's already familiar with the ins and outs of the show's programming would be a severe understatement. He's now looking at bringing his experience with the show and his incredible skill set to the front lines, acting as the primary host of the iconic show.
Variety quotes Ravi Ahuja, chairman of Global Television Studios and corporate development for Sony Pictures. as saying; “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 – deservedly so because it’s ‘Jeopardy!’ and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek." He went on to say; "A senior group of Sony Pictures Television executives pored over footage from every episode, reviewed research from multiple panels and focus groups, and got valuable input from our key partners and ‘Jeopardy!’ viewers.”
By all accounts, it seems fans are thrilled to have Mayim Bialik as part of the hosting scene on the show, with many congratulatory messages being sent her way, and public recognition stating that she is a "great choice" that is "adding the perfect element" to the new programming.
However, actor Levar Burton was a fan favorite and many fans are up in arms over the fact that Mike Richards was selected over him. There have been more than a few rumblings about this being an "inside nomination," and many are questioning how the executive producer was "chosen" when other candidates seemed equally suitable and more desired by fans.
All eyes are now on Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik to see how they fare as the new hosts of one of America's favorite shows.