Who would be more entertaining:
Posted on 08/20/2021 7:38:04 AM PDT by EdnaMode
Mike Richards will not host the syndicated Jeopardy! after multiple controversies from his past emerged in the last few weeks. He just announced his exit in an internal memo. The show had already started production, which has been canceled for today as search for a permanent host resumes. In the meanwhile, guest hosts once again will be stepping in, with Richards remaining an executive producer.
The news comes on the heels of a report about offensive and sexist comments towards his female co-hosts and guests Richards had made on The Randumb Show, a podcast he hosted for 41 episodes in 2013 and 2014, along with off-color remarks about Haitians and Jews. The controversy prompted the Anti-Defamation League to call upon Jeopardy! producer Sony Pictures Television to investigte.
“We support Mike’s decision to step down as host. We were surprised this week to learn of Mike’s 2013/2014 podcast and the offensive language he used in the past. We have spoken with him about our concerns and our expectations moving forward,” SPT spokesperson said this morning. “Mike has been with us for the last two years and has led the Jeopardy! team through the most challenging time the show has ever experienced. It is our hope that as EP he will continue to do so with professionalism and respect.”
Richards previously apologized for the comments on his podcast as well as for insensitive comments about pregnant women attributed to him in a lawsuit filed against The Price Is Right while he was a top producer there. He was involved in two suits by former models on the game show, both of which were ultimately settled.
Richards earlier this month was named permanent host of the syndicated edition of Jeopardy!, succeeding beloved longtime host Alex Trebek, who died last year. Actress Mayim Bialik was named host of Jeopardy!‘s primetime editions and spinoffs. Here is Richards’ memo:
Dear Team,
It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we look to start a new chapter.
As I mentioned last week, I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show. As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately. As a result, we will be canceling production today.
SPT will now resume the search for a permanent syndicated host. In the meantime, we will be bringing back guest hosts to continue production for the new season, details of which will be announced next week.
I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention that has come to Jeopardy! over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing. I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.
Mike
I’ll just cancel tv
I liked Aaron Rogers.
For me Jeopardy died with Alex seldom watched anyways
So now give the Jeopardy dweebs Geordi La Forge even though he basically sucked and the world could continue spinning on its axis.
I wouldn’t know Mike Richards from Adam and don’t even really care about this per se but I truly hope that every one of the individuals behind all this cancel culture crap meets a very painful death.
What fat disgusting blue haired trans blob is going to turn the letters next?
That’s Wheel of fortune.
For me it was Art Fleming...
Rush and Alex will both be impossible to replace. So will Pat Sajak.
I liked Mark Faber!
And, God help me for saying this on FR... I actually thought Cooper Anderson was good.
To prevent this from happening again, the Jeopardy folks need to pick someone who checks off all the boxes. So that person must be an illegal alien, gay, black, female, and a Muslim.
To the gulags....:>)
Someone pointed out to me years ago..you’ll never see a working man on jep.
All the so called news readers were way too braggy.
Me too, my fav overall. Nobody even came close.
Go with LeVar Burton. Should have picked him in the first place.
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