After a unique interim period featuring an array of guest hosts, Jeopardy has officially settled on two permanent hosts. As expected, Mike Richards will be the full-time host from Season 38 onward. He'll be joined by Mayim Bialik, who will host next year's Jeopardy National College Championship.
Bialik is best-known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in The Big Bang Theory, where she served as the nerdy ying to Sheldon Cooper's yang, as well as her starring role in Blossom. She will be the first woman to serve as a permanent host in Jeopardy.
I’m hosting @Jeopardy!
And #1 trending on Twitter!? What!?!?! pic.twitter.com/Pncg8cVkUd
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) August 11, 2021
Richards, meanwhile, is the show's executive producer. He was previously reported to be negotiations to take over the top role.
Both Richards and Bialik auditioned for the permanent spot during Jeopardy's guest host run. Other guests hosts included Aaron Rodgers, Joe Buck, and LeVar Burton. Burton in particular was widely favored by fans for the final spot, but ultimately missed out.
The announcement concludes the search that began after the death of Alex Trebek in November 2020. Sony executive Ravi Ahuja said in a release that the team "pored over footage from every episode, reviewed research from multiple panels and focus groups, and got valuable input from key partners" in making the final decision.
Jeopardy's 38th season kicks off on September 13.
Kat Bailey is a Senior News Editor at IGN.