There will never be any “replacing” Alex Trebek, but many viewers watching Jeopardy! this week were left impressed by Mayim Bialik as a guest host. A former child star known for her starring roles on the popular sitcoms Blossom and The Big Bang Theory, many fans may not know the actress is a brilliant neuroscientist in real life as well. She earned her Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA in 2007 after previously earning a Bachelor’s Degree.
“It is an incredible honor to guest host Jeopardy!,” Mayim Bialik said at the start of her first episode. “I was raised in a very creative and academic family, but it wasn’t until high school that I fell in love with science, and that love led me to a Ph.D. in neuroscience. I so appreciate that Jeopardy! is a show that tests all aspects of intellect and allows the brightest minds to shine.”
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In an ad promoting her appearance, Bialik adds: “I’ve been a Jeopardy! fan my entire life, but being the next Jeopardy! guest host: Dream. Come. True.”
A lifelong Jeopardy! fan, Mayim Bialik’s role as guest host is a dream come true! @missmayimpic.twitter.com/g71raLTsbs
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) May 30, 2021
Bialik’s credentials along with her ability to perform in front of a camera have made her turn as a Jeopardy! guest host rather well received. Fans watching the game show were taking to Twitter to react to Bialik in the job, with some a bit surprised to see the Amy Farrah Fowler actress taking to the job so naturally. As one person puts it, “I didn’t expect this, but Mayim Bialik might be my favorite Jeopardy! guest host so far…”
I didn’t expect this, but Mayim Bialik might be my favorite @Jeopardy guest host so far…
— Kristin McAuliffe (@kcheb) May 31, 2021
“Mayim Bialik is doing great! Smart, controlled and confident. One of the best [hosts] by far,” says another viewer.
Mayim Bialik is doing great! Smart, controlled and confident. One of the best cohosts by far. #Jeopardy
— Rhonda W. (@Rhonda_W88) May 31, 2021
Another Jeopardy! viewer said, “Mayim was fantastic!!! I’m looking forward to the next 2 weeks of Jeopardy! shows with Mayim hosting.”
Mayim was fantastic!!! I’m looking forward to the next 2 weeks of Jeopardy shows with Mayim hosting ????????????????????????
— Laurie Anne* (@LaurieG1111) June 1, 2021
“Wow, Mayim is fantastic!” concurs someone else. “Highly intelligent and effervescent….my favourite so far.”
Wow, Mayim is fantastic! Highly intelligent and effervescent….my favourite so far.
— Lori Bursey ???????? (@ArgoDiva) May 31, 2021
It only took one episode for one fan to be impressed, as their tweet reads, “I try to be objective and wait at least three days before rendering a verdict… But f*ck it, Mayim Bialik is excellent hosting Jeopardy!”
I try to be objective and wait at least three days before rendering a verdict…
But fuck it, Mayim Bialik is excellent hosting Jeopardy!
— Father Graham™ (@itsgrahamslife) June 1, 2021
“Mayim (and no I’m not a Big Bang fan-lady) but as a 30+ year Jeopardy! viewer, you honestly were the best guest host so far,” adds another Jeopardy! fan. “Excellent presentation and enunciation without seeming condescending. Basically, you have #TheTrebekFactor.”
This is certainly a lot of high praise, and that’s not an easy thing to earn when following someone like Alex Trebek. In November, Trebek died after a battle with stage four pancreatic cancer, insisting on filming new episodes of Jeopardy! for as long as he possibly could. The show has gone on without Trebek, but until a permanent host is named, a series of revolving guest hosts will be used in the meantime.
Another fan favorite that fans have called to see guest host Jeopardy! is LeVar Burton. After a popular petition was launched for the Reading Rainbow host to get the job, it was recently announced that Burton would be one of the final guest hosts this season. Depending on how that turns out, Bialik and Burton could both be seen as strong candidates to end up staying on Jeopardy! on a permanent basis, and it only helps that they’re both longtime fans. You can catch Bialik guest hosting the show for the next two weeks and you can find out more at the official website for Jeopardy!.
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