JEOPARDY! showrunners are reportedly “bending over backward” to hire Mayim Bialik as their OFFICIAL host.
However, the actress is apparently “too busy” with her strict filming schedule for her sitcom.
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According to TMZ, the bosses at Jeopardy! are trying to do everything they can to sign Mayim on as the daily host following executive producer Mike Richard’s exit.
They are apparently trying to work around Mayim’s filming schedule for “Call Me Kat” so they can get as many episodes with the actress hosting in the can before ideally transitioning her into the full-time role.
Sources tell TMZ Sony brass has offered to shoot with her on weekends and over her hiatus in order to bank more shows.
She is already committed to 15 episodes.
The five episodes former host Mike taped will still air as scheduled, The Wrap reported on Friday.
According to TMZ, Mayim negotiated for about six weeks for a “multi-million-dollar deal” for her part-time Jeopardy! role.
She will host such specials as Jeopardy! National College Championship.
Sources at Sony reportedly told the outlet, the brass at Jeopardy! wanted Mayim to serve as the full-time host.
The show crew reportedly loved working with her, and she tested highest among the rotating guest hosts in focus groups.
Mayim, 45, has been scheduled to tape three weeks of episodes when production resumes this week, according to Variety.
According to Sony Pictures Television, more guest hosts will be announced at a later date.
After Mike Richards was chosen as the lead host for Jeopardy, the network shared that Mayim would be stepping in for several “prime-time” specials.
The TV star will now serve as a full-time guest host after Mike faced allegations of “misogyny.”
After the game show star was named a host of the beloved program, rumors began to spread that he contributed to “toxic” behavior while working The Price Is Right set.
The allegations arose from Brandi Cochran, who said that in 2010 that she was “discriminated against” by CBS and FremantleMedia North America.
The model claimed that after she shared the news of her pregnancy to production, she was wrongfully terminated after giving birth.
Brandi alleged that before she was axed, Mike said: “Go figure—I fire five models, what are the odds one of the ones that I keep gets pregnant?” at a 2008 holiday party.
However, the Jeopardy producer denied any sort of mistreatment, saying: “I would not say anything to disrespect anyone’s pregnancy and have always supported my colleagues on their parenting journeys.”
Later, Mike spoke out to say that the lawsuits filed against him were “not a reflection” of who he is as a person.
“I want to address the complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time at The Price is Right ten years ago,” he wrote in a statement.
“These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show. I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on The Price is Right.”
Despite resigning from his new hosting role, Mike will continue as an Executive Producer on Jeopardy.
His statement read: “I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role.
“However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.”
The statement concluded: “I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention that has come to Jeopardy! over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing.
“I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.”
Despite naming Mayim as the guest host for the time being, Sony will now “resume the search for a permanent syndicated host.”
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