Under any other circumstances, Mayim Bialik would most likely be a contestant on Jeopardy! rather than the show’s guest host. Most people will know her from her roles on TV shows such as The Big Bang Theory and Blossom. But she also has a Ph.D. in neuroscience from UCLA.
She said she didn’t have many women in her life growing up that were passionate about science. Bialik hopes that by guest-hosting on Jeopardy!, she can be that role model for a young girl or boy. Bialik will take over the host’s lecturn beginning Monday, May 31.
“I think being a woman of science, as I am, is something I’m obviously very passionate about presenting myself as,” she said. “I really didn’t grow up with a lot of female role models, and I think, especially for young people — not just young girls, but young girls and boys to see that women can be scientists and can do these type of intellectual things, that feels very important to me.”
Bialik also hopes to showcase how far her family has come. Her grandparents immigrated to the United States. And within two generations, the family has found enormous success. They are an example of the American Dream at work.
“(Hosting Jeopardy!) just an unbelievable opportunity to see what in two generations my family has been able to see,” she said.
Bialik Says Hosting ‘Jeopardy!’ Is A Dream Job
Mayim Bialik believes she has a “Jeopardy! brain.”
“My brain works the way a Jeopardy! brain needs to work,” she says. “It requires you to think fast and think on your feet.”
And she hopes to prove that to America during her two weeks as guest host. The show filmed her episodes earlier this year, and she said the experience was everything she hoped it would be.
“I mean … that’s a dream job,” Bialik told Chatting with the Stars. “And I have to say, my experience just – I did ten episodes – was an absolute dream. My brain really works the way that show works, meaning I’m constantly thinking about things, saying things. You have to be very quick on your feet and have someone in your ear being like, ‘Cut to commercial! Do this!’”
“I loved it,” Bialik added. “I loved that pacing. So, I’m very excited for my episodes to air, because I hope that people will appreciate the kind of host that I was. And, you know, really trying to do honor to Alex Trebek, as well.”
