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
is this Michael Richards of Seinfeld fame? I remember him yelling about Jews during a stand up set once. I can’t believe he’d want to host Jeopardy- that’s why i am asking.
Sadly, the show has gone downhill since Alex's death. Most of the questions s_ck, it's more popular culture than trivia, the answers can now be vague, last names suffice (you rarely hear "be more specific") and the latest 'champion' is a true representative of a modern education - too lazy to say what is / who is / where is - always replies "what's..."
And the cutsie little waves and hand gestures during the intros make me believe the adults have left the set and a bunch of half witted wokesters (or lawyers with marketing degrees) are running the show now.
Idiot. Richards was the best option as host. I guess that moron LeVar Burton will get the job.
No, not Kramer. This guy is an executive producer of the show. Too bad, he was my 1st choice.
I read some of the jokes he made some 15 years ago that have now led to this “controversy”.
They were (gasp!) funny. They were typical routine jokes that Americans used to laugh at. They weren’t vulgar or obscene.
Comedy. Another area that liberals have ruined.
Exactly. Did anyone at all truly believe this guy would be allowed to remain indefinitely? Hence the entire “co-host” charade to begin with.
I remember him yelling about Jews during a stand up set once. I can’t believe he’d want to host Jeopardy- that’s why i am asking.
Yes, he, Henny Youngman and Mort Sahl had a horrible knowdown dragout in the Catskills a few years back.
Richards ended up riding in a special medical rickshaw for many months.
“ That’s Wheel of fortune.”
Aye, that it is, lol
Point still valid, however
I am beyond sick of “offensive and sexist” comments upsetting ppl. If someone is that fragile...go live in a cave.
And they let Jimmy Kimmel have a pass on that pathetic show he used to be on, can’t remember the name if it, The Man Cave or something like that.
Different guy; Michael Richards was on Fridays ABC late night; in Weird Al’s UHF movie and Seinfeld.Yelled the n word at
hecklers/late arrivers
“ The next Jeopardy! host”
That was literally the first thought that popped in my head upon reading the title. I don’t really know anything about this so was that tongue and cheek, or is she actually in the running?
I don’t know who Cooper Anderson is, but Anderson Cooper wasn’t that good. He was only slightly better than Katie Couric, who was downright terrible.
I’d vote for Ken Jennings or Buzzy before I’d let most of those subs host. Ugh! Whatever happened to Trebek’s son? Did he ever get to try?
I think it was called The Man Show. How Kimmel survives still is beyond me.
> And they let Jimmy Kimmel have a pass on that pathetic show he used to be on, <
It was called ‘The Man Show’. And for those who don’t know, Kimmel’s routine was to put something in his front pants pocket. Then he’d go up to women in the street, and ask them to feel his pants and guess what the object was.
It was pretty disgusting. But as you noted, Kimmel is a liberal. So forgive and forget.
He's no dummy, with a MA in English literature from Yale (and started work on his PhD). IMHO he has the affability, intellect and just the right quirky humor to be a great Jeopardy host.
I kid, of course. Liberals are not held to those kinds of standards.
I saw a video of a vintage April Fools edition of Jeopardy, where Pat Sajak was the guest host. He did a great job.
This white dude didn’t stand a chance surviving.
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