Mayim Bialikis opening up about her journey toJeopardy!.
TheBig Bang Theoryalum and neuroscientist, 45, iscurrently hostingseason 38 of the iconic game show alongside championKen Jennings, as Sony Pictures Television continues to search for a new permanent host to replace the lateAlex Trebek.
Bialik first guest-hostedJeopardy!in the spring and was later announced as thehost ofJeopardy!primetime and spinoff series.
She stepped into her current role as aninterim hostof the daily syndicated show last month whenJeopardy!executive producerMike Richardsleft his postas the permanent host amid a series of controversies.
Bialik reflected on the hosting drama in a recentNewsweekarticle, recalling that “everything changed” when Richards' scandals surfaced and he stepped down.
“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.”
Mike Richards, Mayim Bialik.Joe Scarnici/WireImage; Amanda Edwards/Getty Images
Bialik continued, “That’s how I approached what was going on. 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 theJeopardy!team: ‘How can I help?’ Because I am part of this family.”
Richards — who additionally previously facedallegations of workplace discriminationduring his time atThe Price Is RightandLet’s Make a Deal— was thenousted as the executive producerofJeopardy!andWheel of Fortunelater that month.
Mayim Bialik.Jeopardy/Instagram
In herNewsweekarticle, Bialik said hosting season 38 has been “dreamy” so far.
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She also reflected on the life and legacy of Trebek, saying, “It probably sounds crazy, but you definitely feel Alex’s presence on that stage.”
“As someone who didn’t necessarily grow up with the constant presence of Alex in my living room, I feel him everywhere on that stage and I get to work with people who for decades worked so closely with him and whom he called friends,” Bialik continued. “That’s what feels really special.”
“There will never be another Alex, on camera or off,” she added. “It’s important not to try and be him, because you can’t, but as I learn more about him, I see how much he made his life an act of devotion to humanity. That’s the legacy that I hold so dear as I go to work each day.”
Jeopardy!airs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
