Mike Richards, Mayim Bialik to take over as the hosts of game show ‘Jeopardy!’

‘Jeopardy!’, an American general quiz show, will have executive producer Mike Richards and actor Mayim Bialik as its new hosts. The news comes months after the death of Alex Trebek, the beloved former host of the show.

Mayim Bialik, who is famous for playing the role of Amy Farah Fowler in the sitcom ‘Big Bang Theory’, was picked as guest host and emcee for ‘Jeopardy!’ primetime and spinoff series, which also includes a new college championship, according to reports from news agency Associated Press.

According to announcements made by Sony Pictures Television released on Wednesday, Richards will also be retaining his role as the executive producer of the show along with another game show called ‘Wheel of Fortune’. On the other hand, famed author and television presenter Ken Jennings has once again been tapped in as the consulting producer of the quiz show, according to reports from Associated Press.

The National College Championship of ‘Jeopardy!’, which will be led by actor Mayim Bialik, is scheduled to be broadcasted next year on ABC. The production studio will “extend the ‘Jeopardy!’ franchise to new platforms”, according to reports from the Washington Post citing a press release.

Sony Pictures’ Chairperson for the Global Television Studios Ravi Ahuja said in a statement that the decision to finalise the hosts of the show was taken “incredibly seriously”. He added, “We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices. They were both at the top of our research and analysis”, Associated Press reported.

Days before the announcement, Richards broke his silence about speculations on him taking over as the host of the quiz show and stated that he had been contacted for it, however, the deciding authorities were yet to reach a verdict. The 46-year-old also announced that he had no say in the selection process.