Mayim Bialik Reacts to ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Controversy As Matt Amodio Hits 30 Wins

Mayim Bialik on Late Late Show and Matt Amodio on Jeopardy!
CBS/YouTube

The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik addressed the recent Jeopardy! host drama when she appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden on Tuesday.

“I was the headline on CNN three days in a row,” said Bialik, who will be sharing hosting duties on the long-running CBS game show with Ken Jennings through the end of the year. “Who knew people were so passionate about who hosts Jeopardy?”

Bialik was one of many guest hosts who stepped up to the podium in the search to find the late Alex Trebek‘s replacement. And, in August, it was announced that she would host primetime specials and spin-offs while the show’s then-executive producer, Mike Richards, would helm the daily syndicated format.

Controversy followed when insensitive comments made by Richards towards and women and others came to light. Despite already taping a week’s worth of episodes, Richards eventually stepped down from both his hosting duties and producing role.

“I mean, I’m just trying to read the clues. You know, just let me read the clues,” Bialik told Corden, referring to how the host shouldn’t be the focus of the show. “The thing about Jeopardy!, we spend our whole lives wanting to be seen, you know, and this job is like — people should think the least about me as possible. Meaning, it’s my job to be the host, just like read the clues.”

Even though her arrival on the show has been surrounded by drama, Bialik has been loving the experience of hosting. “It’s incredibly enjoyable,” she said. “I learn things all day. I meet people who have a kind of knowledge that I do not possess. I would do horrible on Jeopardy! Horrible.”

One of those knowledgeable contestants is current Jeopardy! champion Matt Amodio, who has now racked up an impressive 30 consecutive wins. This puts him just two wins away from tying  James Holzhauer for most successive wins, though he still has a bit of catching up to do to reach Ken Jennings’ 79 wins in a row.

The official Jeopardy! Twitter account celebrated this remarkable milestone on Tuesday, posting a collage of Amodio’s numerous wins.

“Wow, 30 wins. I know whatever happens next, this has been the ride of a lifetime on #Jeopardy,” Amodio tweeted. “Thanks to all of you for tuning in for all of the ups and downs!”

Jeopardy!, Weeknights, Check your local listings

The Late Late Show with James Corden, Weeknights 12:37am/11:37c, CBS




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  1. P

    PurpleBlowdryer

    Come on...you people complaining about her adding to his answers have a short memory. Alex always did that and even scolded some contestants, etc. Give her a break...she is doing a great job!!!

    89 4

    1. A

      Antonio Montealegre

      Yes!

      2 2

  2. G

    GoldCocktail

    I love her as a host! She’s very pleasant, not boring at all! And, she has a very professional voice that’s very kind! I am cheering for Matt! He’s super smart and has every right to be a contestant til he loses! I think he’s very smart and very sweet! Y’all jealous people need to leave him alone!!!

    48 5

  3. G

    GoldDucky

    I think mayim is doing a fantastic job as host of jeopardy.

    I always like a little more information added to correct answers….after all, I watch the show to learn things ( and to try to answer)

    P.s. some people call me Sheldon. I only wish I had a girlfriend like Amy!

    50 10

  4. O

    OrangePumpkin

    I love her! She’s the best

    35 4

  5. G

    GreenQuill

    love Mayim she doing a great job. She had big shoes to fill, but I think even Alex would be happy with her. It is refreshing to see how humble Matt is. Really rooting for him,

    30 2

  6. G

    GreenWrench

    I think she is doing a fine job. What I am curious about is the closing credits of the show. Mike Richards is still credited as the executive producer and in another category also. I thought he was no longer affiliated with the show at all?

    35 7

    1. G

      GoldBlowdryer

      What is What difference does it make?

      2

      1. C

        CyanAirBalloon

        At the time he still was a producer, since been fired from that as well

        1

  7. G

    GoldGlasses

    I hope she stays

    26 3

  8. R

    RedCloud

    I really enjoy Mayim as host! Once in awhile I will catch a glimpse of Amy which makes me smile! I truly fell Alex would be pleased that she is a fill in!

    21 2

  9. G

    GoldAnchor

    Keep her as host !!!!

    18 3

  10. R

    RedSushi

    My 2 cents:

    Best game show ever, of course.

    —-

    I like Matt’s style and smarts.

    His delivery is interesting with the “minimal” answers. I have no problem with it because it decreases his chances of a wrong answer.

    Also interesting is how he often answers very slowly. If I didn’t know better, I’d suspect he had an earpiece feeding him answers?!🤔

    —

    M is …ok. Buzzy is good, too.

    Alex will never be replaced, he was the show!❤️

    15 4

  11. P

    PurpleAnchor

    She is very Professional, has a Soothing voice, knowledgeable, and I am enjoying hearing her interact with the contestants.

    11 1

  12. C

    CyanBasketball

    Love her, should keep her. Alex would love it.

    5 1

  13. G

    GreenBone

    Mayim doing a great job. Really filling some big shoes.Enjoyable as host!

    4 1

  14. O

    OrangePin

    I think she is doing a GREAT job. I hope she stays. Truly enjoy the show with her as host.

    4 1

  15. G

    GoldCorn

    She’s a keeper

    3

  16. B

    BlueProcessor

    I had no idea who she was until she did Jeopardy. I have never seen Big Bang Theory. She is doing a much better job this go round.

    3

  17. C

    CyanScissors

    Mayim should do it all the time. She dresses perfectly for the role of host and handles it very well. I hope they keep her. She's also very smart and professional.

    2

  18. O

    OrangeAirBalloon

    Think she's doing fine. Good cheerful personality. Let's support herm

    3 1

  19. O

    OrangeBasketball

    She is great.....pleasant voice and gives encouragement for all contestants. Ken Jennings has a conflict of interest to defend his title and should not be a host

    3 1

  20. R

    RedBulb

    The natural order of things is a woman takes over the host job. Mayim is a pro. Alex would agree, 9 out of 10 people want Mayim. If U look into the future U can C she is the best choice. I am a man need i say more!

    4 2

  21. O

    OliveFlower

    Best kind!!!! What is: great to see a young woman do a tremendous job,and young man Matt,someone has got to win and someone has gots to lose,let’s just enjoy the show…and here’s..Johnny!!!!

    1

  22. R

    RedGoggles

    I like Mayim hope she stays. Rooting for Matt he look like simple a guy humble.

    2 1

  23. B

    BluePaw

    I think Mayim is a wonderful host and I love her comments. I think Matt is an amazing and brilliant champion. When he pauses I believe he is recalling the answer. It looks like he's reading the page in his mind. He may not be the best game player but I think he's the smartest.

    3 2

  24. O

    OliveUmbrella

    Re his slow answers: it's like he's a computer and he's accessing his brain files. Very interesting to watch. I wonder if he has an eidetic memory?

    1

    1. P

      PurpleBlowdryer

      It is interesting to watch him answer. And then just give as little as he can get AWAY with.So smart.

  25. R

    RedWrench

    I am not impressed!

    3 2

  26. G

    GoldTrumpet

    Keep her as the permanent host! She is terrific.

  27. G

    GreenPlane

    Keep Mayim as "THE" host....forget no-personality Ken Jennings.Mayim has him beat in all ways!!!!

  28. P

    PurpleGlasses

    Speaks well but needs serious help with her clothing choice.she looks like a teacher straight out of the 60s Getrid of the blazer and hem her skirt

  29. G

    GoldWheel

    I think Mayium is fantastic!

    1 1

  30. C

    CyanDog

    Matt is super photograpic memory!Hope he passes Kens wins!!Amazing to watch and wish him the best!!

  31. C

    CyanDog

    she needs a stylist!

  32. R

    RedFlask

    I agree. It was fun in the beginning of his run, but it's not a competition anymore. It's 30 minutes of watching some guy answer questions while two other smart people don't have a chance. Boring!

  33. R

    RedCupcake

    Like Mayim as host but not a fan of Ken Jennings.i find him to be very sarcastic and cocky.

    1

  34. G

    GreenApple

    Mayim is ok as a host...but her clothes!!!! Who is dressing her? Old, outdated styles that don't fit. She needs a make-over...top to bottom!

    1 2

  35. O

    OliveBeer

    Will only watch because of Matt and when ken is on

    1 2

  36. G

    GoldBattery

    Love Matt! Hope he keeps winning! Don't really like Bialik. Love Ken Jennings.

    2 4

  37. G

    GreenPlane

    Her clothes are a drawback and I don’t like her making fun of the contestants when they don’t answer. She thinks she’s so smart. Boring.

    6 8

  38. P

    PurpleBottleOpener

    Get rid of her and be glad when smug-ass Matt is done

    3

  39. O

    OrangeBus

    Matt is a robot, slowly pulling the answers from his cranial depths, and it's tiring watching him trounce everyone. Doesn't make for good entertainment, Sony!

    2 6

  40. R

    RedCupcake

    Right now, I'm watching for Matt: if/when he loses I'm done until it's Ken's turn.

    8 12

  41. O

    OliveTooth

    She is doing a great job. Ready for Jeopardy to put a worthy opponent against Matt. It's time for him to go.

    2 7

  42. O

    OrangePin

    I just wish she wasn't such a fangirl, constantly swooning over Matt!!

    5

  43. O

    OliveBullhorn

    I like her and I am only watching the show these days so I can see Matt lose something I wish for everytime I watch the show. He is disrespectful of the show in the way he answers the questions with the What's and not saying the complete answer, I am going to stop watching if he keeps winning, I can't stand it anymore!!!

    1 8

    1. R

      RedSushi

      He gives minimal answers for good reason. Less chance of a wrong answer. That’s being smart.

      Using “What” seems odd, but again, he’s just keeping it as simple and generic as possible.

      Let him do his thing and not be offended?

      Seems like a likable dude, to me.

      11 1

    2. R

      RedBowtie

      He is a great champion . Your criticism is more your problem than his.

      9 1

  44. O

    OrangePumpkin

    Mayim is doing a great job ! Time for Matt to go, so sick of him !

    15 32

  45. G

    GoldChilli

    Good grief, she's obnoxious! It's always all about her. She can't resist adding to Matt's answers so she sounds better informed. He got it right, move on.

    12 34

    1. P

      PurpleBattery

      Right there with you. She acts like a spinster librarian at story time for the kiddies.

      3 6

      1. O

        OliveFlower

        She is very intelligent, does that scare you ?

        9

        1. O

          OliveBeer

          They certainly named you right.

          1 2

    2. R

      RedQuill

      Alex did that all the time. She is a PhD neuroscientist...Smart cookie, what are you so offended for?

      15 2

    3. O

      OliveBullhorn

      I agree Toto. She appears arrogant and very rehearsed. I will watch until Matt loses and will watch again when Ken hosts.

      1 2

      1. O

        OliveProcessor

        So you are assuming Matt will lose before Ken begins hosting? Do you know when Ken starts his hosting?