‘Jeopardy’ Ratings Go Up 6% After Guest Host Mayim Bialik Replaces Mike Richards

Since Mike Richards departed Jeopardy!, viewers have been noticeably more welcoming to current host Mayim Bialik. Since the Big Bang Theory alum took over as host of the ABC quiz show, The Wrap reports that ratings have risen 6% in comparison to ratings from the previous week, when Richards wrapped up his own hosting run.

Ratings for Bialik’s first week also rose by 6% compared to the same week last year. This ratings boost could also have something to do with Jeopardy! champ Matt Amodio becoming the third contestant in history to make over $1 million in non-tournament play. The actress is currently set to host the show until November 5, after which she and Jeopardy! icon Ken Jennings will switch out until the end of the year.

Bialik was first announced as a co-host alongside Richards: he was set to tackle the main syndicated show while he hosted the specials. But soon after Richards was announced, old lawsuits involving harassment and discrimination during his time on The Price is Right resurfaced, as well as past controversial comments he made on a podcast. Just nine days after the hosting news broke, Richards stepped down as both host and EP.

In a recent tell-all piece for Newsweek, Bialik opened up about the Jeopardy! host debacle for the first time, providing some behind-the-scenes context. Rather than getting news from the headlines, she said she learned everything directly from Richards and the rest of the Jeopardy! team.

“Of course I was in touch with Mike as he was my boss at that time, and I don’t wish ill on him, or anyone,” Bialik said. “But the complexity of these situations is not something that can be summed up easily. My first response when all of this went down, was to say to the Jeopardy! team: ‘How can I help?’ Because I am part of this family.”

The actress went on to joke that she’d give up her first child to become the permanent host, and gushed over hosting during Amodio’s historic run.

“[Matt is] so on the ball and so well-rounded and easy-going, and i just marvel at that,” Bialik continued. “So far, Ken Jennings — who I am sharing hosting duties with for the rest of 2021 — and I have only had the chance to interact once at a press conference, he is much taller than I thought he would be! I look forward to the opportunity to talk to him more. I’ll certainly take any pointers he’s got!”

Jeopardy! airs weeknights on ABC at 7/6c.

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