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Breaking Down the Mayim Bialik Backlash
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Ubiquitous
Feb 22, 2023, 8:16:10 AM2/22/23
to
Following the death of pop culture legend/national treasure Alex Trebek, the
internet was consumed with trying to predict who would fill his highly
regarded shoes as the host of NBC’s long-running trivia show, Jeopardy!.
After an interim period in which all sorts of celebrities—from Anderson
Cooper to LeVar Burton—hosted, producers landed on Blossom and The Big Bang
Theory alum Mayim Bialik as the permanent host (alongside Ken Jennings) for
the syndicated series.
While many were excited to see a woman at the helm of Jeopardy! (and one with
a legitimate background in neuroscience, no less), it didn’t take much time
for rumblings to emerge online about some controversial comments Bialik has
made in the past. Though the scope of controversy was nowhere near comparable
to the scandal surrounding Mike Richards (whom Bialik and Jennings were
chosen to replace), the sizable pushback to an otherwise beloved actress and
neuroscientist left many wondering why Mayim Bialik was catching so much heat
online.
Mayim Bialik’s controversial stance on vaccines
One key element to keep in mind is that Bialik began her duties as Jeopardy!
host in 2021, barely a year after the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and
sparked an ongoing international debate about the merits and ethics of
vaccination. It was around this time that clips began to circulate online
featuring a segment from Bialik’s book, Beyond the Sling, in which she
revealed her stance on vaccinations. Bialik wrote that she and her partner
“made an informed decision not to vaccinate our children, but,” she added,
“this is a very personal decision that should be made only after sufficient
research, which today is within reach of every parent who seeks to learn
about their child’s health regardless of their medical knowledge or
educational status.”
Though it’s certainly not the most inflammatory statement made regarding
vaccines, Bialik’s decision not to vaccinate her children drew criticism from
many, especially considering the widespread push for Americans to get the
COVID-19 vaccine. Fans were also surprised at Bialik’s skepticism of vaccines
considering her scientific background; many assumed that an actress with a
doctorate in neuroscience would be an advocate for vaccines, not an opponent.
Her new position
Following the backlash to her comments, though, Bialik clarified her current
stance on vaccines, emphasizing that her children have been vaccinated for
COVID-19, telling Yahoo: “It’s not, ‘I’m pro every single vaccine that anyone
talks about all the time everywhere, every single minute.’ I have a lot of
questions about the vaccine industry, as do a lot of people. I have a lot of
questions about the profits involved. [But] when it comes to this virus, the
insidiousness of this virus, the way this virus works, the way that it
adapts, we absolutely need to see this as distinctly different from the flu.”
Her stance on vaccines wasn’t the only comment of Bialik’s to resurface after
she got the Jeopardy! gig, however. Scrutiny of the host intensified in the
wake of Richards’ ousting for inflammatory comments about women, disabled
people, and Jewish people. Though initially Bialik’s casting was received as
a progressive response to Richards’ bigoted comments, some began to point out
that Bialik herself has also made some questionable comments about women—
particularly with regard to Harvey Weinstein’s victims.
Her troubling take on the Weinstein allegations
In an op-ed for the New York Times in 2017, Bialik wrote: “I dress modestly.
I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy … Those of us in Hollywood who
don’t represent an impossible standard of beauty have the ‘luxury’ of being
overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make
them money.”
Some critics felt that Bialik’s comments placed blame on Weinstein’s victims
as opposed to Weinstein himself—so much so that she later took to social
media to issue an apology:
pic.twitter.com/vXmKO1jv7m
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) October 18, 2017
Her time on Jeopardy!
Bialik has also received some (relatively tame) backlash from Jeopardy! fans
for decisions she’s made during her time hosting the show. In a February 2022
episode, Bialik called the first round of the game “Single Jeopardy!” instead
of “Jeopardy!”—a clear reference to the “Double Jeopardy!” round. Viewers
were unhappy with this seeming flub, and while speaking with Yahoo, Bialik
acknowledged that it’s because the fans “care a lot.”
She went on to explain that it wasn’t a mistake: “If it wasn’t right, [the
producers] would’ve had me redo it. I barely act alone … there’s so many
things that we re-tape. If it was literally not kosher there’s a million
producers, writers and researchers and they’re all listening to me.” Bialik
also pointed out that the late Alex Trebek occasionally referred to the first
round as “Single Jeopardy!”
More recently, during a February 2023 High School Reunion Tournament episode,
viewers criticized Bialik for accepting what they felt was an incorrect
answer. In the “National Anthems” category, the following clue was given:
“Heard here is this British national anthem that has the same melody as ‘My
Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.'” Contestant Audrey answered with “What is ‘God Save
the Queen’?”, which Bialik accepted as correct. But some viewers felt as
though the answer should’ve been rejected given that Queen Elizabeth II died
in 2022 and Britain is now ruled by King Charles III.
Given that this debate was surrounded on all sides by viewers on social media
complaining about Bialik hosting and wishing that Ken Jennings would hurry up
and return from hiatus, it sounds like less of a semantics thing and more of
a bad faith argument with a smattering of misogyny.
--
Let's go Brandon!
internet was consumed with trying to predict who would fill his highly
regarded shoes as the host of NBC’s long-running trivia show, Jeopardy!.
After an interim period in which all sorts of celebrities—from Anderson
Cooper to LeVar Burton—hosted, producers landed on Blossom and The Big Bang
Theory alum Mayim Bialik as the permanent host (alongside Ken Jennings) for
the syndicated series.
While many were excited to see a woman at the helm of Jeopardy! (and one with
a legitimate background in neuroscience, no less), it didn’t take much time
for rumblings to emerge online about some controversial comments Bialik has
made in the past. Though the scope of controversy was nowhere near comparable
to the scandal surrounding Mike Richards (whom Bialik and Jennings were
chosen to replace), the sizable pushback to an otherwise beloved actress and
neuroscientist left many wondering why Mayim Bialik was catching so much heat
online.
Mayim Bialik’s controversial stance on vaccines
One key element to keep in mind is that Bialik began her duties as Jeopardy!
host in 2021, barely a year after the COVID-19 pandemic swept the globe and
sparked an ongoing international debate about the merits and ethics of
vaccination. It was around this time that clips began to circulate online
featuring a segment from Bialik’s book, Beyond the Sling, in which she
revealed her stance on vaccinations. Bialik wrote that she and her partner
“made an informed decision not to vaccinate our children, but,” she added,
“this is a very personal decision that should be made only after sufficient
research, which today is within reach of every parent who seeks to learn
about their child’s health regardless of their medical knowledge or
educational status.”
Though it’s certainly not the most inflammatory statement made regarding
vaccines, Bialik’s decision not to vaccinate her children drew criticism from
many, especially considering the widespread push for Americans to get the
COVID-19 vaccine. Fans were also surprised at Bialik’s skepticism of vaccines
considering her scientific background; many assumed that an actress with a
doctorate in neuroscience would be an advocate for vaccines, not an opponent.
Her new position
Following the backlash to her comments, though, Bialik clarified her current
stance on vaccines, emphasizing that her children have been vaccinated for
COVID-19, telling Yahoo: “It’s not, ‘I’m pro every single vaccine that anyone
talks about all the time everywhere, every single minute.’ I have a lot of
questions about the vaccine industry, as do a lot of people. I have a lot of
questions about the profits involved. [But] when it comes to this virus, the
insidiousness of this virus, the way this virus works, the way that it
adapts, we absolutely need to see this as distinctly different from the flu.”
Her stance on vaccines wasn’t the only comment of Bialik’s to resurface after
she got the Jeopardy! gig, however. Scrutiny of the host intensified in the
wake of Richards’ ousting for inflammatory comments about women, disabled
people, and Jewish people. Though initially Bialik’s casting was received as
a progressive response to Richards’ bigoted comments, some began to point out
that Bialik herself has also made some questionable comments about women—
particularly with regard to Harvey Weinstein’s victims.
Her troubling take on the Weinstein allegations
In an op-ed for the New York Times in 2017, Bialik wrote: “I dress modestly.
I don’t act flirtatiously with men as a policy … Those of us in Hollywood who
don’t represent an impossible standard of beauty have the ‘luxury’ of being
overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make
them money.”
Some critics felt that Bialik’s comments placed blame on Weinstein’s victims
as opposed to Weinstein himself—so much so that she later took to social
media to issue an apology:
pic.twitter.com/vXmKO1jv7m
— Mayim Bialik (@missmayim) October 18, 2017
Her time on Jeopardy!
Bialik has also received some (relatively tame) backlash from Jeopardy! fans
for decisions she’s made during her time hosting the show. In a February 2022
episode, Bialik called the first round of the game “Single Jeopardy!” instead
of “Jeopardy!”—a clear reference to the “Double Jeopardy!” round. Viewers
were unhappy with this seeming flub, and while speaking with Yahoo, Bialik
acknowledged that it’s because the fans “care a lot.”
She went on to explain that it wasn’t a mistake: “If it wasn’t right, [the
producers] would’ve had me redo it. I barely act alone … there’s so many
things that we re-tape. If it was literally not kosher there’s a million
producers, writers and researchers and they’re all listening to me.” Bialik
also pointed out that the late Alex Trebek occasionally referred to the first
round as “Single Jeopardy!”
More recently, during a February 2023 High School Reunion Tournament episode,
viewers criticized Bialik for accepting what they felt was an incorrect
answer. In the “National Anthems” category, the following clue was given:
“Heard here is this British national anthem that has the same melody as ‘My
Country, ‘Tis Of Thee.'” Contestant Audrey answered with “What is ‘God Save
the Queen’?”, which Bialik accepted as correct. But some viewers felt as
though the answer should’ve been rejected given that Queen Elizabeth II died
in 2022 and Britain is now ruled by King Charles III.
Given that this debate was surrounded on all sides by viewers on social media
complaining about Bialik hosting and wishing that Ken Jennings would hurry up
and return from hiatus, it sounds like less of a semantics thing and more of
a bad faith argument with a smattering of misogyny.
--
Let's go Brandon!
BTR1701
Feb 22, 2023, 11:10:14 AM2/22/23
to
In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
> After an interim period in which all sorts of celebrities-- from Anderson
> Cooper to LeVar Burton-- hosted, producers landed on BLOSSOM and THE BIG BANG
> THEORY alum Mayim Bialik as the permanent host (alongside Ken Jennings) for
> the syndicated series.
>
> While many were excited to see a woman at the helm of JEOPARDY! (and one with
> media to issue an apology.
The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
> Bialik has also received some (relatively tame) backlash from JEOPARDY! fans
Okay, this is the most whining, stupid, infantile criticism, made all
the more ridiculous by the fact that apparently Saint Trebek of
Jeopardy, may peace be upon him, used the term himself and no one threw
a fit about it.
> More recently, during a February 2023 High School Reunion Tournament episode,
> viewers criticized Bialik for accepting what they felt was an incorrect
> answer. In the "National Anthems" category, the following clue was given:
> "Heard here is this British national anthem that has the same melody as 'My
> Country, 'Tis Of Thee'." Contestant Audrey answered with "What is 'God Save
table full of judges/referees just off camera that make the rulings.
Blaming her for that, even if the answer was technically wrong, is
ridiculous.
All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
actually against the law now in Hollywood?
Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> Following the death of pop culture legend/national treasure Alex Trebek, the
> internet was consumed with trying to predict who would fill his highly
> regarded shoes as the host of NBC's long-running trivia show, JEOPARDY!
> Following the death of pop culture legend/national treasure Alex Trebek, the
> internet was consumed with trying to predict who would fill his highly
> After an interim period in which all sorts of celebrities-- from Anderson
> Cooper to LeVar Burton-- hosted, producers landed on BLOSSOM and THE BIG BANG
> THEORY alum Mayim Bialik as the permanent host (alongside Ken Jennings) for
> the syndicated series.
>
> While many were excited to see a woman at the helm of JEOPARDY! (and one with
> a legitimate background in neuroscience, no less), it didn't take much time
> for rumblings to emerge online about some controversial comments Bialik has
> made in the past. Though the scope of controversy was nowhere near comparable
> to the scandal surrounding Mike Richards (whom Bialik and Jennings were
> chosen to replace), the sizable pushback to an otherwise beloved actress and
> neuroscientist left many wondering why Mayim Bialik was catching so much heat
> online.
> for rumblings to emerge online about some controversial comments Bialik has
> made in the past. Though the scope of controversy was nowhere near comparable
> to the scandal surrounding Mike Richards (whom Bialik and Jennings were
> chosen to replace), the sizable pushback to an otherwise beloved actress and
> neuroscientist left many wondering why Mayim Bialik was catching so much heat
> online.
> Her stance on vaccines wasn't the only comment of Bialik's to resurface after
> she got the JEOPARDY! gig, however. Scrutiny of the host intensified in the
> wake of Richards' ousting for inflammatory comments about women, disabled
> people, and Jewish people. Though initially Bialik's casting was received as
> a progressive response to Richards' bigoted comments, some began to point out
> that Bialik herself has also made some questionable comments about women--
> people, and Jewish people. Though initially Bialik's casting was received as
> a progressive response to Richards' bigoted comments, some began to point out
> particularly with regard to Harvey Weinstein's victims.
>
> Her troubling take on the Weinstein allegations
> In an op-ed for the New York Times in 2017, Bialik wrote: "I dress modestly.
> I don't act flirtatiously with men as a policy. Those of us in Hollywood who
>
> Her troubling take on the Weinstein allegations
> In an op-ed for the New York Times in 2017, Bialik wrote: "I dress modestly.
> don't represent an impossible standard of beauty have the 'luxury' of being
> overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make
> them money."
>
> Some critics felt that Bialik's comments placed blame on Weinstein's victims
> as opposed to Weinstein himself-- so much so that she later took to social
> overlooked and, in many cases, ignored by men in power unless we can make
> them money."
>
> Some critics felt that Bialik's comments placed blame on Weinstein's victims
> media to issue an apology.
The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
> Bialik has also received some (relatively tame) backlash from JEOPARDY! fans
> for decisions she's made during her time hosting the show. In a February 2022
> episode, Bialik called the first round of the game "Single Jeopardy!" instead
> of "Jeopardy!"-- a clear reference to the "Double Jeopardy!" round. Viewers
> episode, Bialik called the first round of the game "Single Jeopardy!" instead
> were unhappy with this seeming flub, and while speaking with Yahoo, Bialik
> acknowledged that it's because the fans "care a lot".
>
> acknowledged that it's because the fans "care a lot".
>
> She went on to explain that it wasn't a mistake: "If it wasn't right, [the
> producers] would've had me redo it. I barely act alone-- there's so many
> things that we re-tape. If it was literally not kosher there's a million
> producers, writers and researchers and they're all listening to me." Bialik
> also pointed out that the late Alex Trebek occasionally referred to the first
> round as "Single Jeopardy".
> producers, writers and researchers and they're all listening to me." Bialik
> also pointed out that the late Alex Trebek occasionally referred to the first
Okay, this is the most whining, stupid, infantile criticism, made all
the more ridiculous by the fact that apparently Saint Trebek of
Jeopardy, may peace be upon him, used the term himself and no one threw
a fit about it.
> More recently, during a February 2023 High School Reunion Tournament episode,
> viewers criticized Bialik for accepting what they felt was an incorrect
> answer. In the "National Anthems" category, the following clue was given:
> "Heard here is this British national anthem that has the same melody as 'My
> the Queen'?", which Bialik accepted as correct. But some viewers felt as
> though the answer should致e been rejected given that Queen Elizabeth II died
> in 2022 and Britain is now ruled by King Charles III.
The host isn't the one who rules answers correct or incorrect. There's a
table full of judges/referees just off camera that make the rulings.
Blaming her for that, even if the answer was technically wrong, is
ridiculous.
All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
actually against the law now in Hollywood?
A Friend
Feb 22, 2023, 4:50:24 PM2/22/23
to
In article <atropos-88EB35...@news.giganews.com>, BTR1701
a crazy result was to be expected.
> All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
> transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
> black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
> actually against the law now in Hollywood?
I thought you were doing pretty well until this stupid bullshit at the
end.
<atr...@mac.com> wrote:
> In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
> The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
> their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
> in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
> often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
> intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
> there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
> loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
> than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
Yes, they should have. Purposefully baiting crazy fanatics and getting
> In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>
> The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
> their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
> in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
> often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
> intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
> there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
> loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
> than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
a crazy result was to be expected.
> All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
> transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
> black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
> actually against the law now in Hollywood?
end.
BTR1701
Feb 22, 2023, 5:47:11 PM2/22/23
to
In article <220220231650196823%no...@noway.com>,
to be eligible for awards now.
A Friend <no...@noway.com> wrote:
> In article <atropos-88EB35...@news.giganews.com>, BTR1701
> <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>
> > In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> >
> > The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
> > their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
> > in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
> > often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
> > intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
> > there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
> > loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
> > than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
>
> Yes, they should have. Purposefully baiting crazy fanatics and getting
> a crazy result was to be expected.
Purposefully baiting sexual sadists and getting a violent result is to
> In article <atropos-88EB35...@news.giganews.com>, BTR1701
> <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>
> > In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
> > Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
> >
> > The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
> > their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
> > in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
> > often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
> > intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
> > there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
> > loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
> > than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
>
> Yes, they should have. Purposefully baiting crazy fanatics and getting
> a crazy result was to be expected.
be expected.
> > All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
> > transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
> > black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
> > actually against the law now in Hollywood?
>
> I thought you were doing pretty well until this stupid bullshit at the
> end.
Why is it stupid? They literally have 'diversity' requirements in order
> > All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
> > transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
> > black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
> > actually against the law now in Hollywood?
>
> I thought you were doing pretty well until this stupid bullshit at the
> end.
to be eligible for awards now.
trotsky
Feb 23, 2023, 3:56:13 AM2/23/23
to
regurgitating their talking points. Who knows what else he had to
swallow in his initiation.
trotsky
Feb 23, 2023, 3:59:22 AM2/23/23
to
On 2/22/23 4:47 PM, BTR1701 wrote:
> In article <220220231650196823%no...@noway.com>,
> A Friend <no...@noway.com> wrote:
>
>> In article <atropos-88EB35...@news.giganews.com>, BTR1701
>> <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>>
>>> In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
>>> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
>>> their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
>>> in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
>>> often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
>>> intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
>>> there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
>>> loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
>>> than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
>>
>> Yes, they should have. Purposefully baiting crazy fanatics and getting
>> a crazy result was to be expected.
>
> Purposefully baiting sexual sadists and getting a violent result is to
> be expected.
Wait, are we talking about the insurrection now?
> In article <220220231650196823%no...@noway.com>,
> A Friend <no...@noway.com> wrote:
>
>> In article <atropos-88EB35...@news.giganews.com>, BTR1701
>> <atr...@mac.com> wrote:
>>
>>> In article <tt54io$1gp9r$9...@dont-email.me>,
>>> Ubiquitous <web...@polaris.net> wrote:
>>>
>>> The Left has always been schizophrenic about blaming the victims for
>>> their plight. They have hysterical meltdowns if you blame a rape victim
>>> in even the slightest way for her attack, but victims of Muslim violence
>>> often 'should have known better', according to the leftist
>>> intelligentsia. For example, after the Charlie Hebdo attack in Paris,
>>> there was no shortage of 'progressive' talking heads who lamented the
>>> loss of life but said those journalists really should have known better
>>> than to put a picture of Mohammed on their magazine cover.
>>
>> Yes, they should have. Purposefully baiting crazy fanatics and getting
>> a crazy result was to be expected.
>
> Purposefully baiting sexual sadists and getting a violent result is to
> be expected.
>>> All of these complaints about Bialik and no one has pointed out the real
>>> transgression here: we have two JEOPARDY! hosts and neither of them are
>>> black. Where's the equity?!? Where's the diversity?!? Isn't this
>>> actually against the law now in Hollywood?
>>
>> I thought you were doing pretty well until this stupid bullshit at the
>> end.
>
> Why is it stupid? They literally have 'diversity' requirements in order
> to be eligible for awards now.
admit it.
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