Though Mayim Bialik described the opportunity to get the gig being an “unbelievable turn of events” for her life and career, she also spoke of not expecting fans to be so “passionate.” “I did not know the depth of, in particular, the social media presence of people who are so passionate about Jeopardy!" she told Newsweek in April. Throughout Season 38, Bialik, 46, has been sharing hosting duties with all-time Jeopardy! champ Ken Jennings following the show’s beloved long-time host Alex Trebek’s November 2020 death. In the podcast episode, when asked if she was ever made aware that she was favored over Jennings by fans, the Call Me Kat actress responded that she sometimes gets “We don’t prefer you to Ken," among other unwarranted comments in relation to her physical appearance. “[People will tell you] exactly how they feel,” Bialik said. “Like, ‘I saw you in a magazine. I was very confused. You looked pretty.’ I get that a lot.” With the current host-sharing setup, fans had anticipated that either Bialik or Jennings were most likely to be named Trebek’s successor ahead of Season 39 launching in the fall. At Friday’s Daytime Emmy Awards, the show’s executive producer Michael Davies revealed that they hoped to have a hosting announcement “very, very soon,” before adding, “But with all of our plans for Jeopardy!—which is more Jeopardy!, not less, more versions—we’re going to need multiple hosts to represent the entire audience, to represent the entire country, in order to take this franchise forward." Davies also offered his approval of the current hosts, saying that “Mayim and Ken have done an incredible job.” Next, check out the list of Jeopardy! guest hosts!
