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How did _Jeopardy!_'s host search end with not one, but two people being hired? Some new details are beginning to trickle out. _Jeopardy!_ confirmed this week it has hired executive

producer Mike Richards as the permanent new host of the syndicated quiz show, but there was a surprise additional detail: _The Big Bang Theory_ actress Mayim Bialik was also hired to host

_Jeopardy!_'s "primetime and spinoff series." Fans expressed confusion over why the show was tapping two hosts, and some even alleged Sony was trying to distract from the

controversy over Richards getting the daily job. On Friday, though, _TMZ_ reported that Bialik actually might have gotten the main, full-time gig "if she just had the time."

According to the _TMZ_ report, Bialik actually tested highest with focus groups after she guest hosted earlier this year, and executives were interested in hiring her for the main job. But

they reportedly knew this wouldn't be possible because of her other commitments, including to the sitcom _Call Me Kat_ that was renewed for a second season on Fox. This, _TMZ_ claims,

is where the idea for two hosts came into play. SUBSCRIBE TO THE WEEK Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives. SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

SIGN UP FOR THE WEEK'S FREE NEWSLETTERS From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox. From our morning news

briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox. "Because they loved her so much ... we're told _Jeopardy!_ honchos came up

with the idea for 2 hosts — one for the daily show, and Mayim for the quiz show's primetime and spin-off specials," _TMZ_ reports. The report didn't make clear at what point

the dual host idea came about, but Sony executive Ravi Ahuja says "we knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities." The final decision has been

controversial, primarily because the main job is going to the show's own executive producer who has been involved in past discrminiation lawsuits, as well as because fan favorites like

Ken Jennings and LeVar Burton were passed over. Richards will officially take over as host in September, while Bialik will host a college championship on ABC in 2022. Explore More Jeopardy

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