‘Jeopardy!’ Mayim Bialik Asked To Keep It Real By Execs

Jeopardy! host Mayim Bialik was asked to keep it real. The execs gave the actress an easy demand. Ken Jennings and Mayim have been named as the permanent co-hosts of the game show. The big announcement came after Alex Trebek’s death in 2020.

Michael Davies became the new executive producer of the game show after Michael Richards was fired. As TV Shows Ace previously reported, his sinister plan to take over the show came back to bite him.

Fans noticed that Jeopardy! never removed the tweet that he would become the new permanent host while Bialik would host the spinoffs and the specials. He stepped down after damaging accusations resurfaced. Read on to see why Davies told Mayim Bialik to be more authentic.

Mike Davies had challenges with Jeopardy!

On the latest episode of Inside Jeopardy! podcast, Mike Davies talked about one of the challenges that he had with the show. It had to do with the way that Mayim Bialik mentioned Johnny Gilbert’s name during the show’s introduction. That’s when Davies pulled aside the Blossom alum and advised her.

“One of the things I noticed first of all, though, in watching it was one of the first changes I made when I came in. Mayim would walk out, and she would look over toward Johnny Gilbert and say, ‘Thank you, Johnny,’ and then turn to the camera and deliver the open,” Davies explained. “Now, Johnny — I don’t know if this is a big reveal to the audience — Johnny isn’t there in the audience. For anybody coming to watch us tape Jeopardy! right now… Johnny isn’t there in the studio.”

Producer Sarah Foss noted that Gilbert records the contestants’ introductions from his home studio. His audio gets edited into the episode. Foss agreed with Davies that Bialik shouldn’t pretend that the producer was in the studio. She admitted that the EP “felt it wasn’t authentic.”

Mayim Bialik wasn’t authentic?

He explained why he felt that part of the show wasn’t authentic. Davies felt like Mayim Bialik was looking over to an “imaginary Johnny,” who wasn’t in the studio. He felt that she should look directly into the camera and thank him since he was doing his work from home. It also allows her to engage with the viewers.

It’s a small direction to ask Mayim Bialik to look directly at the camera rather than at a random spot in the studio. However, Davies felt that it made a big difference when it came to authenticity. He understands the deep admiration that the fans have for the game show. Davies is aware that they know everything that’s going on.

Mayim Bialik has received a lot of feedback about her hosting abilities. Most of it has been harsh. She received a “great note” from the producers when it comes to her tone of voice. What are your thoughts on the constructive criticism Davies provided Bialik? Sound off below in the comment section.

Check back with TV Shows Ace for more news on Mayim Bialik.