Why Mayim Bialik Thinks She Would Cry as a 'Jeopardy' Contestant
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Mayim Bialik has been applauded for her work co-hosting Jeopardy!, but don't get it twisted, she's not so sure her on-screen talents or expansive educational background would translate well to the contestant experience.
During her recent appearance on Bill Maher's Club Random podcast, the 47-year-old opened up about how well she thinks she would perform as a contestant on the long-running game show, and unlike co-host Ken Jennings–who appeared on the game show as a competitor in 2004–she has no desire to find out.
"People ask if I know all that stuff, and I’m like, ‘No.’ No. First of all, answering things like that under pressure with a timer is not gonna happen for me," she said. "It’s hard!"
Bialik continued, explaining that the game doesn't solely rely on trivia knowledge and brain power, but psychological strength.
"There’s a rhythm that winners get into – there’s a huge psychological component. If you get something wrong, it can be debilitating," she shared, adding, "I would cry, I think."
Though the Blossom alum has a Bachelor of Science in neuroscience and Hebrew and Jewish studies, as well as a Ph.D. in neuroscience from the University of California Los Angeles under her belt, she wouldn't say that makes her a qualified Jeopardy! candidate.
"The knowledge I have is not necessarily Jeopardy! knowledge," she told Maher during the Tuesday, Oct. 17, episode. "I’m trained in science, and I am a crossword puzzle person." Addressing her background, she clarified her extensive educational training is “a different knowledge.” If it were a topic like “18th-century British poets,” she said, “I don’t know!”
While the show must go on, it's done so without Bialik for the past few months, as she exited season 39 of the game show early to stand in solidarity with actors in the SAG-AFTRA strike. Jennings has assumed the primary presenter role, and it remains unclear when Bialik will return to the set—presumably, it won't be until the studios and actors strike a deal.
Next: 'Jeopardy!' Season 40 Premiere Date, Hosts and Major Changes
