A new report reveals that Mayim Bialik may not be able to take over as permanent host of Jeopardy! due to scheduling conflicts with Call Me Kat. Based on the British sitcom Miranda, the Fox series stars Bialik as the 39-year-old Kat as she leaves her job as a professor at the University of Louisville to open a cat café in the Kentucky city. Alongside Bialik, the cast for the series includes Swoosie Kurtz, Leslie Jordan, Kyla Pratt, Julian Grant and Cheyenne Jackson.

Jeopardy! first launched on NBC in 1964 but would launch to its highest level of popularity in 1984 when Alex Trebek began hosting a syndicated version of the quiz show. Following his passing in 2020 due to stage IV pancreatic cancer, the series forged ahead with a number of guest hosts while searching for a new permanent lead, with executive producer Mike Richards briefly being chosen before stepping down due to offensive comments in the past. With Bialik having signed on to host primetime specials on ABC and potential spin-offs, she seemed to be the ultimate candidate to take over from Richards moving forward, though it appears that may not be the case any longer.

Related: Why Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik & LeVar Burton Should Co-Host Jeopardy!

In the latest What I'm Hearing news round-up from former THR editor Matthew Belloni, reports reveal that Bialik will likely not be the new permanent host of Jeopardy! due to her commitment on the Fox sitcom Call Me Kat. In addition to the production cycle of an 18-episode season 2, Bialik's contract with Warner Bros. Television would necessitate the producers to sign on off her leading the iconic game show. Should the studio sign off, it would result in her schedule expanding to film 230 episodes a year for Jeopardy! on top of Call Me Kat's season 2 and any future seasons it may have.

Despite her contract having her set to lead the primetime specials and spin-offs, it is understandable that Bialik's commitment to the Fox sitcom would prevent her from stepping in as the full-time host for Jeopardy!. Though she would've likely jumped at the opportunity if the situation was different, given her joy with hosting thus far, the sheer amount of time and energy that would be required to take on both jobs would prove to be too much for many, namely someone who chose to return to television a decade ago in order to spend more time with her children. However, given Call Me Kat has received generally negative reviews from critics in its first season, there is always the possibility that she could be eyed to take over should Fox not move forward with a season 3.

While such a decision would require Jeopardy! to remain without a host for well over a year, the troublesome search the show's producers have had to find a new permanent host does leave the door open to the possibility. In addition to Richards, former champion Ken Jennings was initially the frontrunner to take over but was recently passed on after controversial old tweets resurfaced, while many fans continue to campaign for Reading Rainbow's LeVar Burton to take over. Even if she doesn't become the permanent host, viewers can look forward to seeing Bialik guest hosting 15 episodes in the near future and the specials and spin-offs.

More: Why People Are So Excited About LeVar Burton Hosting Jeopardy

Source: What I'm Hearing from Matt Belloni