The next person to stand in Alex Trebek’s place on “Jeopardy!” is approaching the role with a lot of enthusiasm.
“I can’t imagine not wanting to do anything involved with ‘Jeopardy!’” Mayim Bialik said during a recent “Jeopardy!” interview. “I offered to sweep the floors and they said, ‘No, you can guest host.’”
Bialik, a neuroscientist and actress well known for her role as Amy Farrah Fowler in “The Big Bang Theory,” is the eighth person to fill in as guest host of “Jeopardy!” since Trebek’s death in November 2020. She filmed her 10 episodes over the course of two days, and told USA Today she cried when it was all over.
“I didn’t want to leave,” she said. “This is one of the most iconic things that I can be part of in my life. Of all the things I’ve done, of all the acting I’ve done, of all the advocacy I’ve done, and all my academic things, this is the most globally understood, absolutely incredible thing to be part of. It’s unbelievable.”
Hosting “Jeopardy!” is somewhat of a full-circle moment for Bialik. Although the actress never interacted with Trebek, the late “Jeopardy!” host had a cameo appearance in the sitcom “Blossom” that Bialik starred in during the 1990s.
Bialik has also been the answer to a “Jeopardy!” clue at least once.
The actress made her “Jeopardy!” hosting debut on May 31. Bialik said she never watches herself on camera, but she decided to make an exception for “Jeopardy!”
After her first episode aired, she shared her reaction in a Twitter video. Although “Jeopardy!” fans at large seem to be pleased with Bialik’s debut, the actress said she was a little critical of her voice and appearance.
“I watched myself and had all sorts of criticism,” she said, noting that her voice was shot from recently wrapping up filming on her current show, “Call Me Kat.” “My kids didn’t tease me too badly. ... It was very surreal to see myself there.
“I’d say it’s the only thing that I’ve ever enjoyed myself in, mostly because I was barely on camera,” she continued with a laugh.
Bialik hosts “Jeopardy!” through June 11. During her stint, “Jeopardy!” is matching the winnings of the contestants and donating to the charity of Bialik’s choice, the National Alliance on Mental Illness — an organization the actress said is close to her heart.
Mike Richards, the executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” has said he believes “Jeopardy!” will extend the official hosting position to someone who has served as a guest host during the show’s 37th season. It’s a lengthy list of contenders, but Bialik has made it clear that she would like to be in the running.
“If people find me tolerable, this is a dream job,” she told USA Today.