‘Jeopardy!’ EP Explains Change He Made Involving Mayim Bialik
Jeopardy! executive producer Michael Davies has been opening up about his role on the long-running game show and revealed one of the first changes he made when he stepped into the position. Davies took over at the show earlier this year following the departure of Mike Richards.
Speaking on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast, he explained that the first change he made was the location where host Mayim Bialik looks when thanking the show’s long-time announcer Johnny Gilbert. At first, the Call Me Kat star would look out into the audience and thank Gilbert before turning to the camera and introducing the show.
However, Davies suggested that Bialik deliver her thanks directly to camera, explaining, “I think on a show about fact, it wasn’t right that we were looking over to an imaginary Johnny.” He continued, “Instead, you know, we thank him, because we should thank him in the beginning of the episode, but we thank him right down the camera, right down the lens because we know he watches every single episode.”
Gilbert has served as announcer on Jeopardy! since 1984, when the show was reintroduced to television as a daily syndicated program hosted by the late Alex Trebek. He was honored by Guinness World Records in 2017 for having the longest career as a game show announcer for a single show, at the time having spent 32 years with Jeopardy! These days, Gilbert records his announcements via a home studio.
“He’s got his studio day in his home, it’s all set up, we call him up and he reads all of the opens for the show, correctly and beautifully announcing each of the contestants’ names, and that is actually what goes into the show,” said associate director Sarah Whitcomb-Foss.
Whitcomb-Foss added that she “loved” the change of having Bialik thank Gilbert directly to camera. “Obviously we want to definitely acknowledge Johnny, but you felt it wasn’t authentic, that we were pretending he was in the audience,” she added.
Jeopardy!, Weeknights, Check your local listing
This… Is… Jeopardy!
Get absolutely everything about Jeopardy! in your inbox!
Conversation87 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
C
I think that Ken Jennings should be the full time host. Bialik is an actress and doesn’t belong there. The way she dresses is horrendous, certainly not to host a show like Jeopardy.
67 14
-
B
So women’s clothing is your focus? Men can wear the same dark suit from day to day with no complaints but heaven forbid that women do the same. If Ms. Bialik did that, you would all be complaining about her boring wardrobe. Sad.
2 11
-
B
I totally agree
1
-
B
Totally agree with you. For a young woman, she dressed so matronly!
-
-
G
Best thing Jeopardy could do to improve the show is can MB!!
59 7
-
G
The only change that should've been made regarding Mayim Bialik is her permanent removal from the franchise.
66 17
-
B
I will only watch hen from now on u should have listened to all
The buyers choice Jen 90 percent. Bialik so low
30 6
-
R
Mayim is Great! The show sucks when Ken is the host. They should get
rid of Jennings.
4 9
-
-
-
C
I was open minded regarding Mayim being host. But after all her episodes, it is clear she is not good on the show. She can be slow acknowledging right answers, while at the same time too quick while a contestant is trying to correct their response. That just cracks me up. She is awkward in the interviews. Ken is a natural. The game flows better with him. He can relate to the contestants. He is quick witted. When Mayim tries to do a joke, it is falls flat. I won't be watching the primetime shows with her. I will definitely watch less when she is hosting the regular show. They should made Ken the fulltime host for the regular shows. And if they wanted to, they cld have made Mayim the host of the primetime shows. Then it would have been easier for ppl to skip shows they don't want to see.
55 13
-
P
She is not very good at hosting Jeopardy. All her body language is uncalled for. If she's hosting I turn the channel.
37 7
-
O
Agree on all points. But I honestly think she’s getting better with time. Ken is, in fact, a natural. But Miyam is obviously a very talented person. Jeopardy hosting is a Marathon. The new hosts have barely sprinted at this point.
7
-
-
C
I do not watch Jeopardy when Mayim Bialik is hosting.
51 11
-
B
Neither do I
27 4
-
R
I don’t either.
8
-
-
-
O
Ken Jennings belongs on the show she is the best. He makes it very interesting and friendly. Please don’t replace him he has to be on full-time thank you.
45 7
-
B
Please read your first line!!!!
-
-
B
Bialik needs to be GONE NOW ! The Jeopardy fans DO NOT LIKE HER !
KEN JENNINGS knows how to treat people ! And he would definitely be Alex Trebeks #1 Pick !
Thank you
46 10
-
B
I am a big Jeopardy fan and I like her. You don’t speak for me and my family.
2 14
-
B
Not so , you all don’t understand There are plenty of us who like mayim, and frankly I wanted levar burton
1 14
-
G
Levar was literally the worst and Mayim isn’t much better, they both are acting. Ken and Buzzy were former champions and understand the rules of the game, it’s protocols and the nuances.
-
-
-
R
Mayim is a TERRIBLE HOST! Her facial expressions and body language repulse me.
Does she have incriminating pictures of the show's producers? That's the only
explanation I can come up with to explain why she's still there.
39 8
-
B
Meeeeeee tooooooo when the ratings drop when they share hosting I hope they get rid of Bialik. Boring.
40 10
-
B
I be agree
36 6
-
C
I’m a Ken Jennings fan. He does a very professional job.
34 5
-
P
Bialik definitely feels insecure. The proof is in the numerous 'power' blazers she wears. I like the original format of ONE host. The idea of having two hosts is ludicrous!
The only reason I can see for this happening is because no one has the guts to give Bialik her walking papers.
It has been made abundantly clear that the vast majority of viewers don't want Bialik. WE WANT KEN, AND NOBODY ELSE BUT KEN, TO BE THE ONLY HOST JEOPARDY.
34 6
-
P
I only watch when Ken Jennings is host , I do not care for Bialik ‘s style.
30 3
-
R
M. Bialik is not a good host. She lacks the intelligence and focus for the show.
24 2
-
A
Like this is newsworthy? A whole article about where to look while thanking the announcer? I thought it might be something remotely current. Like retiring her.
25 3
-
B
Do not like her as host. And why does she keep rolling her shoulders as if flirting with the audience? Very annoying. Also she lets lots of semi answers go. Alex would never have allowed her sloppiness! Poor choice….
24 3
-
B
Her hair and wardrobe just don’t belong on jeopardy. Alex trebeck set the bar much higher.
20 3
-
G
I wanted to give MB a fair shot, but Ken is just so much better in the role as host. The game just seems to flow smoother. I would have thought that Mayim being an actress would have given her a better sense of timing. She seems to be always about 1 second off, like she’s having to verify an answer.
21 5
-
R
I think you are foolish for using Bialic
17 1
-
O
Don’t care for her on the show.
17 1
-
C
Agree. I turn off when she is host.
15
-
C
She's got to go....won't watch with her hosting.
12
-
G
I agree. She is irritating and incompetent. She accepts answers which need more. She doesn’t always give time for an answer nor give the other contestants a chance to give a correct answer. She “amplifies” a correct answer unnecessarily.
8
-
-
G
Please get rid of Mayim B. Her body language is ridiculous- very irritating - and clothes even more so. Ken Jennings should be the only Jeopardy host. He is fantastic.
13 1
-
G
Mayim is terrible the show is not about her or her acting ability. She’s bad with the pace, bad with the answers and bad with cutting people off and has lost games for people because of her incompetence. Second chance tournament anyone. Ken understands the game, the nuances and the details and the contestants. Buzzy was excellent, but again a former champion so he knows the game. I am not against a woman either, just not Mayim, Sara Haines does a much better job as a game show host. I would like to see Laura Coates given a chance, Alex Trebek championed her himself. He also gave Ken his cuff links and I personally like Buzzy, not Mayim she has enough on her plate, let her go.
15 3
-
B
Ken Jennings is the best! He is sincere about his position. MB’s dampens the whole show she is not made for Jeopardy. Ken is a natural.
15 3
-
C
Similar plan by me. I don't enjoy the show when she hosts.
13 1
-
P
Mayim is terrible as a host. She try’s to one up almost every correct answer the constants give. She seems to show favoritism to some contestants over others, she accepted an answer of Johnson as a correct answer but wanted a specific Bush and there were two bushes and two Johnson’s. If you have to specific with regards to one then you need to be specific for the other. And no matter how much they tried to change her look, she is still not appealing to look at.
13 3
-
B
Bad Dcision! Alex’s fans love Ken and don’t watch when MB is on., Including me. That will not change. Watch her annoying body movements..she’’s a nervous wreck. Sony is pitiful and can’t make a decision.
10 1
-
R
My plan, which I've already enacted is to give up on Jeopardy after 36 years of watching, due to Bialik being on. It's all or nothing for me. I chose nothing!
11 2
-
C
This is a ridiculously inconsequential thing for Michael Davies to be bragging about. I didn’t know Johnny Gilbert was working from home and wasn’t noticing where Mayim Bialik was looking when she mentioned him. Who cares? Why is Davies making such a big deal about “honesty” concerning this nothingburger? Perhaps to distract from the complete lack of integrity that drove Jeopardy executives to hire the incompetent and widely disliked Bialik?
8
-
G
Mayim Bialik acknowledging Johnny Gilbert: fake smile
Mayim Bialik acknowledging Palestine's right to exist: -_-
9 1
-
G
That decision was a BIG mistake
I will only watch Jeopardy when Ken is the host. Very sorry that you couldn't have decided on just 1 host
8 1
-
G
MB as host is like the little leaguer who starts at third base despite the fact they can’t throw the ball as far as first base because their dad is the coach.
8 1
-
O
Can MB, she sounds so unnatural and I genuinely. Give Ken the job full time!
8 1
-
G
Please, no more Mayim. Like Popeye said: "I can't stands no more"!
7 1
-
O
I turn Jeopardy off when Mayim Blalik is the host, i do not care for her.
2
-
B
Every Monday I turn on the show to see who's hosting and if it's Mayim I turn it off. This week I tuned in and it was Ken so I watched, then last night when I tuned in it was Mayim. Why was Ken only on 1 day. THIS IS GETTING REDICULOS, IT'S CLEAR THAT YOUR AUDIENCE DON'T WANT TO WATCH MAYIM.
3 1
-
B
I think the reason Mayim was chosen is because she is female and fits the ‘woke’ narrative. Can you imagine the response if they had not signed her?!? All types of negative labels would have been thrown at the executives. Welcome to this America friends… everything has to be politically correct. 👎🏼
5 3
-
C
There are plenty of women doing a spectacular job as game show hosts—Meredith Vieira, Sara Haines, Jane Lynch to name a few. There is absolutely no justification for hiring the incompetent Mayim Bialik just because she’s female, unless you are suggesting, “You wanted a woman. You got a woman. This is what you get.” Misogyny much lately?
8
-
-
R
MB is AWFUL. Please let her go. Please!!
-
B
I totally agree
-
P
Can anyone explain why they introduce Mayim by saying, "And now here is your host, Mayim..." but with Ken they say, "and now hosting Jeopardy, Ken...?"
-
R
Clickbait title -and I clicked through of course, it’s Jeopardy after all 🙂 Surprised to find something of interest: Johnny prerecords his stuff at home. I was still picturing him in the studio and off to the side, as he was when I attended some Jeopardy tapings in 2010. I’m sure the pandemic pushed him to remote, if he wasn’t already doing it that way (years) before.
A bit of tv magic revealed and I’m ok with it.
1 1
-
P
I like her presentation very much. Her diction is excellent. A very friendly personality.
2
-
O
I like Mayim. Give her a chance. Ken has done this for a long time and they are both good. If you don't care for Mayim, don't watch when she is on. That way you don't have to criticize her every time.
2
-
B
Hate destroys the soul.
2 7
-
C
Our whole family Loves Mayim!!!
1 8
-
C
Get over yourself , stop picking Mayim apart she does a great job..I have been a fan for years ken is very good but mayim is a nice change from time to time.
1 8
-
O
I like MB a lot!
8
-
P
The annoying thing about the show is not the hosts (both are very enjoyable) but the introduction of the contestants. At the very beginning of the show, the JEOPARDY theme song is so very loud that you cannot hear Johnny Gilbert announcing the name of the contestant or where they reside. A small adjustment would be much appreciated! I am more concerned with trying to answer some questions or stump the contestants than in criticizing the hosts who are doing a fine job!
10 19
-
O
I love her. Ken is ok but she’s the best
10
-
P
I think it is about time for a woman host. My family thinks she is great. She seems so real!
11
-
G
I like Mayim! She is sweet and cute, not to mention so smart. Very refreshing next to a stuffy suited male, although I like Ken Jennings, too. Glad they made the decision to let them both host.
11
-
G
Wow! I can’t figure out what it is these people don’t like about her. She is quick, smiley, attractive (except for her dull colours). As enjoyable as Alex. Ken has a nasal problem when he speaks, but also, I like him.
12
-
P
I appreciate Mayim. Although many are bashing her, I notice she has taken great care not to imitate Alex. She brings an upbeat note and is stepping up to the plate, taking good care to retain friendliness while not 'copying' Alec like the other host.
2 14
-
B
Neither Ms. Bialik nor Mr. Jennings is Alex Trebek. Get over it, people!
12
-
C
Read the comments. No one—absolutely no one—is asking for another Alex. He didn’t want that and his fans don’t want that. That is NOT the issue. We only want someone who is good at the job. Mayim Bialik is painfully bad. Ken Jennings looks like he was born for it.
5
-
-
R
Calling her repulsive really doesn't help make your case.
1 13
-
G
All of you Mayim Bialik haters should be ashamed of yourselves. She does a fine job. Get out of your narrow mindedness and give her a chance instead of wasting time spewing negativity. Clearly all of you are not as intelligent as she is, so you need to knock her in order to feel better about yourselves. So sad.
3 16
-
C
😂🙄🤡
-
B
Well-said, Editor.
10
-
-
G
I like MB she adds a lot to the show. Her humor and intelligence are spot on.
I look forward to seeing more of her.
2 18
-
B
I agree. I think she and Ken both do a fine job. Neither are Alex Trebek…get over it! Even Alex wasn’t so great the first year or so that he was on.
1 10
-
C
You said the exact same thing just a couple of comments above. You are the only one comparing anyone to Alex Trebek. You are the one who needs to get over it. No one else is looking for an Alex clone. But since you brought him up: Where is your evidence that he wasn’t so great his first year? Mayim Bialik has now been doing this for more than a year (and getting paid MILLIONS of dollars to do it). She just keeps getting worse because she has no idea what the job requires.
8
-
-
-
G
I think Mayim does a fine job. Ken, on the other hand, is stiff, his voice is annoying and he has a haughty air.
2 20
-
R
I notice that Ken Jennings rarely if ever receives any criticism...is he really that perfect? I know one thing he can't do, he can't pronounce the island of Antigua correctly! It is NOT pronounced like the song Lisbon Antigua!
3 22
-
G
Keep Mayim, she puts out some warmth
6 27
-
O
I think Mayim Bialik does a fantastic job. I really enjoy her.
4 27
-
C
Kenny’s much better then when he started. He was rather stiff and not natural. Mayim did the best job of them all. Get over the women can’t be smart thing people! She’s good for the show and I’m fine with the two sharing duties.
8 31
-
O
The only change I would make is to have Mayim as the ONLY HOST! Ken is too stiff and any attempt of humor from him falls flat!
6 33
-
O
I am so thankful Mayim has joined the Jeopardy family.
14 44
-
C
She is the best host on tv today. Personality, plus intelligence, not just a voice but a great attitude and personality.
6 18
-
B
Nooooooooo
14 3
-