'Jeopardy!' host Mayim Bialik gets renewed criticism for her vaccine stance and brain supplement ads

[Eugene]

Source: Washington Post

Alternate headline: ‘Jeopardy!’ host Mayim Bialik gets renewed criticism for her vaccine stance and brain supplement ads

Is Mayim Bialik’s dubious science going to be ‘Jeopardy!’s’ next big headache?

By Emily Yahr
August 27, 2021 at 6:00 a.m. EDT

This past October, actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik released a YouTube video in which she told viewers that she was going to do something she hadn’t done in 30 years: Get a vaccine. Specifically, vaccines for the coronavirus and flu.

“Now you might be saying, ‘Hey wait a second, Dr. Mayim Bialik, you don’t believe in vaccines. You’re one of those anti-vaxxers! I know it because I read it online,’ ” Bialik said in a jovial tone, waving her hand dismissively. “Well folks, let’s finally talk about it.”

Bialik was referring to the many headlines that have appeared since her 2012 parenting book revealed her two sons were not on the “typical” vaccine schedule — and when she has offered quotes such as one to People magazine in 2009, saying “we are a non-vaccinating family.” While Bialik has long fought back against the anti-vaccine label, this video was the most in-depth defense yet. “I have never once said that vaccines are not valuable, not useful or not necessary — because they are,” she said, adding her children did receive some vaccinations, which she delayed for reasons she doesn’t want to share publicly.

But her comments are making the rounds once again as Bialik is suddenly in a bigger spotlight in 2021 than anyone could have predicted. Bialik, who drew rave reviews when she guest-hosted “Jeopardy!” earlier this year, was tapped on Aug. 11 as the host for the show’s prime-time specials and spinoffs alongside executive producer Mike Richards as the daily syndicated host. When Richards was forced to step down days later after the revelation of his offensive comments on his former podcast, Sony Pictures Television announced that Bialik would fill in and film 15 episodes this week as executives continue their search for a permanent host.

Now that Bialik is officially embedded in a legendary television institution, “Jeopardy!” fans and social media users are digging into her past: Her 2017 New York Times op-ed about disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein that was criticized for victim-blaming, or her book that promoted the hotly debated attachment parenting philosophy (“Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way”).

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Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/arts-entertainment/2021/08/27/mayim-bialik-jeopardy-vaccines-brain-supplements/

Alternate link: https://www.yahoo.com/news/mayim-bialiks-dubious-science-going-105026838.html

[Hugh_Lebowski]

1. Given that she in fact has a doctorate in neuroscience

(as did her character Amy on TBBT), if she chose to delay some vaccinations for her kids, I'd imagine that her reasoning was well-considered. She's not your average celebrity shooting from the hip with no actual knowledge of something of this nature.

And honestly as long as she's not a rabid anti-vaxxer advising others not to get them, I really don't think it rises to the level of being denied the job. If it does, based on what we know at this point, I'm going to be irritated.

I hadn't had a vaccine in 30 years either before my COVID shot. Probably closer to 40, actually.

The fact that she came out with a video during Covid and said 'Although they're not usually my thing, I'm getting one for this!' is a good thing.

[Prof. Toru Tanaka]

6. Other than flu shots,

The COVID-19 Pfizer was the first I had gotten myself in a long time.

I got the gamut of vaccines when I was in the military in the 1980s. And when I did a tour in S.Korea, I got vaccines again, like for cholera. I do hope Ms. Bialik has gotten her children vaccinated against at least smallpox and polio. These two horrible diseases are pretty much eradicated in the U.S. due to all of us getting vaccines as children.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

8. I don't think I'd had a single shot for 30 years prior ...

I've had novocaine, had blood taken, had IV's for 2 surgeries, and had dye-type stuff put into me for MRI's ... but no 'shots of stuff as treatment or prophylactic', including Flu shots.

And I've not spent a day in bed sick in almost 35 years. At least, not from any infectious organism.

Edit: Oh, wait ... I was laid out for the equivalent of a day as I waited in hospital to get my appendix removed, which I suppose is some kind of infection. Might've gotten an antibiotic shot for that.

[catbyte]

2. I would've loved to see LeVar Burton get the gig, but that's just me.

YMMV

[madamesilverspurs]

3. I don't agree with some of things she's said in the past,

but in all honesty I can say the same for every person I've ever met or read about. Hell, I don't agree with some of things I said in the past. For my money, she's a damned sight preferable to Richards, given that she's demonstrated a continuing ability to learn and adjust with new information, an ability not prompted by public outrage. That said, I've come to value the ability to change channels; used to enjoy Wheel of Fortune until Sajak's rightwing assholery surfaced, haven't watched in years.


.

[Sherman A1]

4. Comes down to this

If the things she has said or supported bother you, don’t watch the program. If they don’t then…..

[leighbythesea2]

5. Like her

Delaying vaccines or changing the kid schedule is not the same as anti-vax. Have not read her piece on Weinstein, will have to.

[Srkdqltr]

7. I like Jeopardy.

Jeopardy is a game show. The host is just a game show host. We are not voting for her for a government position. There is way too much angst for a game show host.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

9. I agree ... but I would say that it says a lot of about Trebek's stature

that people are agonizing over who will take up the mantle in his place.

Alex T.

[LakeArenal]

10. Art Fleming was just as revered.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

11. Okay, so ... a long history of very esteemed hosts :) nt

[LakeArenal]

12. She's my third choice. Rodgers /Cooper

But she’s a woman that I do admire and she’s pretty spontaneous.

I’m a bit tired of “comments they’ve made”
stuff. It’s legal to have a differing opinion even if it’s a dumb unsupported opinion.

As said in an earlier post, freedom to watch, freedom to turn off.

[rurallib]

13. I've been watching "College Bowl" and think Peyton Manning is as good or better

than all those who auditioned on air.

[TheRealNorth]

15. Maybe Peyton will throw in some endorsements for Papa Johns...

In between questions.

[Staph]

14. Every time someone complains about Mayim Bialik and the brain supplement commercials,

I remind them that Alex Trebek hawked Colonial Penn life insurance for decades.

[TheRealNorth]

16. I think the issue here is that the brain supplements haven't been proven to work

Granted, stuff like prevogen and fish oil are not in the same boat as snake oils like colloidal silver in my mind.

[Staph]

18. And Colonial Penn is viewed as a bad investment for older folks.

It's not as bad as putting your life savings in PowerBall tickets, but . . .

According to a review by Nerdwallet.com in June 2021, "Bottom line: With more complaints than expected for a company of its size and relatively low coverage limits, Colonial Penn is unlikely to be the best option available to you." https://www.nerdwallet.com/blog/insurance/reviews/colonial-penn-life-insurance/

[kacekwl]

17. It's a damn game show. Do you

have to be totally without fault or saintly to do the job ? I'm sure Alex farted in public a few times.