Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Mike Richards Steps Down As ‘Jeopardy!’ Host After Backlash
Deadline ^ | August 20, 2021 | Nellie Andreeva

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


TOPICS: Chit/Chat; Society; TV/Movies
KEYWORDS: adl; cancelculture; hatemob; jeopardy; mikemichards; twitter
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last
The hate mob would have protested any straight white man as host.
1 posted on 08/20/2021 7:38:04 AM PDT by EdnaMode
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

I’ll just cancel tv


2 posted on 08/20/2021 7:41:25 AM PDT by stanne
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

I liked Aaron Rogers.


3 posted on 08/20/2021 7:41:33 AM PDT by Eddie01 (Only a fool plays a rigged game by the rules)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

For me Jeopardy died with Alex seldom watched anyways


4 posted on 08/20/2021 7:41:40 AM PDT by al baby (Hi Mom Hi Dad)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

So now give the Jeopardy dweebs Geordi La Forge even though he basically sucked and the world could continue spinning on its axis.


5 posted on 08/20/2021 7:43:05 AM PDT by Dahoser (I finally figured out what to call him: Fakephonyfraudident Biden.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

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.


6 posted on 08/20/2021 7:43:51 AM PDT by Altura Ct.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

What fat disgusting blue haired trans blob is going to turn the letters next?


7 posted on 08/20/2021 7:44:30 AM PDT by dsrtsage ( Complexity is just simple lacking imagination)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: dsrtsage

That’s Wheel of fortune.


8 posted on 08/20/2021 7:48:23 AM PDT by steve8714 (Evidently the Oxford comma is racist, sexist, or homophobic. You decide which.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 7 | View Replies]

To: al baby
For me Jeopardy died with Alex seldom watched anyways

For me it was Art Fleming...

9 posted on 08/20/2021 7:49:40 AM PDT by Yo-Yo (is the /sarc tag really necessary?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 4 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

Rush and Alex will both be impossible to replace. So will Pat Sajak.


10 posted on 08/20/2021 7:50:35 AM PDT by albie
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eddie01

I liked Mark Faber!

And, God help me for saying this on FR... I actually thought Cooper Anderson was good.


11 posted on 08/20/2021 7:51:06 AM PDT by SomeCallMeTim ( The best minds are not in government. If any were, business would hire them!it)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

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.


12 posted on 08/20/2021 7:51:44 AM PDT by Leaning Right (I have already previewed or do not wish to preview this composition.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SomeCallMeTim
I actually thought Cooper Anderson was good.

To the gulags....:>)

13 posted on 08/20/2021 7:53:25 AM PDT by Hyman Roth
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

Someone pointed out to me years ago..you’ll never see a working man on jep.


14 posted on 08/20/2021 7:54:26 AM PDT by Leep (Save America. Lock down Joe Biden!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: SomeCallMeTim

All the so called news readers were way too braggy.


15 posted on 08/20/2021 7:55:44 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (All I know is The I read in the papers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Eddie01

Me too, my fav overall. Nobody even came close.


16 posted on 08/20/2021 7:56:46 AM PDT by ImJustAnotherOkie (All I know is The I read in the papers.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: EdnaMode

Go with LeVar Burton. Should have picked him in the first place.


17 posted on 08/20/2021 7:58:20 AM PDT by DoodleDawg ( )
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Eddie01
I liked Aaron Rogers.

He's pretty good at his seasonal day job, I understand, and won't be available for a while.
18 posted on 08/20/2021 8:00:06 AM PDT by Dr. Sivana (There is no salvation in politics.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Dahoser
Who the cancel culture wants as the host:





Who would be more entertaining:


19 posted on 08/20/2021 8:02:38 AM PDT by HombreSecreto (The life of a repo man is always intense)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 5 | View Replies]

To: Eddie01

I liked Aaron Rogers.

That’s A. A. Ron!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDp-ABzpRX8


20 posted on 08/20/2021 8:03:01 AM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first 1-2021-4041-54 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
General/Chat
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson