The “Jeopardy!” controversy wheel just keeps on spinning. Only a day after executive producer Mike Richards stepped down from the permanent hosting job, some fans are now calling for fellow host Mayim Bialik to do the same.
Richards chose to step down after past remarks made in his podcast resurfaced via The Ringer. Fans also criticized him for having too much involvement in the host selection process, as revealed by The New York Times. Sony Pictures Television reportedly expressed “surprise” about Richards’ misogynistic remarks via the podcast, and they “fully supported” his decision to step down.
With Richards’ past comments resurfacing, some Twitter users are now looking to Mayim Bialik’s history. She was actually a fan favorite on “Jeopardy!” during her guest host stint, and most were happy to see her take on the job.
Others, however, were not so quick to forget some of Bialik’s previous words and actions they didn’t particularly support. Newsweek reports that fans have two specific bones to pick with the “Jeopardy!” spin-off host. The first has to do with Bialik’s stance on vaccines, both COVID and otherwise.
‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Question Mayim Bialik’s Stances
According to the outlet, Bialik first broached the topic of vaccines in “Beyond the Sling,” her 2012 parenting book. She reportedly wrote, “We made an informed decision not to vaccinate our children, but this is a very personal decision that should be made only after sufficient research.”
But Bialik and her kids all received COVID vaccines this year. In a YouTube video from October 2020, Bialik said it was “very disturbing” for people not to get vaccinated against COVID. Newsweek also notes that Bialik still questioned the vaccines and said they’re “never 100 percent effective.”
After she received the “Jeopardy!” hosting gig, some Twitter users reminded people of Bialik’s vaccine viewpoints. Even more calls for her removal came out after Richards stepped down.
“Well, that didn’t last long. Now I suppose it’s on to the anti-vaccine Mayim Bialik,” user Elaine Stewart wrote.
“To be honest, primetime #JEOPARDY host Mayim Bialik is more scandalous,” tweeted another fan. “She is an anti-vaxxer who pushes some fake ‘brain’ product on TV commercials — insanity.”
Journalism professor and former TV critic Jeff Jarvis also spoke about Bialik’s continued “Jeopardy!” presence. “And while we’re at it, keep in mind that Mayim Bialik, though vaccinated, spreads vaccine doubt and hawks brain quackery. She is no representative for a show about facts and authority.”
And while we’re at it, keep in mind that Mayim Bialik, though vaccinated, spreads vaccine doubt and hawks brain quackery. She is no representative for a show about facts and authority. Replace the executive producer. Fire the executives over him. And give @levarburton the gig.— Jeff Jarvis (@jeffjarvis) August 20, 2021
Bialik’s spokesperson had to release a statement to The Wrap confirming that Bilaik isn’t an anti-vaxxer and received the COVID vaccine.
Mayim Bialik Also Blasted for ‘Victim Blaming’
“Jeopardy!” fans are also up in arms about the op-ed article Mayim Bialik wrote for The New York Times in 2017 called, “Being a Feminist in Harvey Weinstein’s World.”
“I still make choices every day as a 41-year-old actress that I think of as self-protecting and wise,” she wrote. “I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. So, I dress modestly. I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy.”
To some, Bialik’s article came across as blaming the victim for the way they conducted themselves around their sexual assaulter. Bialik eventually had to clear up her stance on Twitter after the article printed. But fans wouldn’t let her forget the way her article came off.
“So, does Mayim Bialik, get the job now, and is fired in four days because of her NYTimes column shaming Weinstein’s victims? #Jeopardy,” Jeff Pijanowski wrote.
Daniel Theroux said, “Yay, later loser! Now fire that anti-vax Harvey Weinstein victim-blaming troll Mayim Bialik and let’s save #Jeopardy.”
We’ll see how Sony execs respond to these accusations against Bialik in the coming days. Currently, Bialik only signed on for primetime specials and “Jeopardy!” spin-offs.
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Original Article: https://outsider.com/news/entertainment/jeopardy-fans-urge-mayim-bialik-step-down-past-comments-mike-richards-departure
Not a fan of Bialik but coming after someone because you don’t agree about vaccines is stupid. She chose not to vaccinate her kids but then turns and takes the covid shot makes no sense but she in entitled to make her own choices. Just like I chose to vaccinate my kids when they were young it and have no intention of getting the covid vaccinate. To each their own it’s a free country I think democrats have forgotten that being they always want someone to quit, resign or be fired if you disagree with them.
Its not a Free Country. We have rules and laws that everyone follows. You can’t do whatever you like. Can you go into a movie theater and yell FIRE ? Can you swear at someone loudly in a public place without the cops showing up ? You don’t have any “freedoms” that threaten the welfare of everyone else, and when ignorant people like you don’t get vaccinated and wear a mask because you are so pathetic and unnoticed that you have to take a public stand, you threaten the rest of the people in this Country who actually care about someone besides themselves. This vaccine isn’t new, its updated from the last SARS outbreak. And many other ignorant right wingers, have had flu shots which makes no sense whatsoever. Maybe try getting you information from somewhere besides Fox News, and you may actually deserve to wave the flag and be proud to be an American. Until than, for the sake of the rest of us, be quiet.
Put in Ken Jennings. He did a great job!
Actually he was the worst host. Plastic and unpolished.
totally disgusted with the way this has been handled. This is showing total disrespect for Alex Trebek. The show has lost all credibility after all the wonderful years that Alex made it the great show it was.
Alex was an arrogant, self-righteous jerk who had no respect for women. And you have to wonder what kind of life he had where he had to patheticly keep hosting a game show at 80. Bye bye to him and his sanctimonious bible category
This is exactly the issue posting too much of your personal views or opinions on social media’s. It comes back to bite you. People use to have true freedom of speech and choice. Now it is with opinions that may cause you the opportunity of a great career. So she did not give her children all those vaccines. Have you asked are they sickly or healthy? We have choices and are always full of opinions on the decisions others make. Does it truly affect anything in your life? A big no. Maybe this should open up your eyes be careful what you post on these social platforms. Being a long time fan of Jeopardy get a host with charisma and humor someone not too boring or stiff. My opinion.