Who will replace Mike Richards on 'Jeopardy!'? Exec producer steps down as host amidst backlash
Mike Richards, the recently announced new host of 'Jeopardy!' alongside 'TBBT' star Mayim Bialik has quit the show. Richards announced his decision on Friday, August 20, just 9 days after he started the new gig. It is important to note here that Mike is the executive producer of the show, a role which he will continue to fulfill even after he steps down as the host.
"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, " Mike Richards said in his statement. His statement further added, "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."
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BREAKING: Mike Richards has stepped down as the host of Jeopardy! Official statement via Sony: pic.twitter.com/eJSwyBOXwN
— Claire McNear (@clairemcnear) August 20, 2021
Why did Mike Richards quit 'Jeopardy!'?
46-year-old Mike Richards' hasty exit from the show comes after a fan-led backlash for a series of sexist comments made by him on his 8-year-old podcast. Mike, however, dismissed the whole episode as a "terribly embarrassing" misjudgment. The podcast in question is 'The Randumb Show', which he hosted from 2013 to 2014 in which he allegedly made 'derogatory' comments about women. During his time on the show, Mike allegedly referred to co-host and former assistant Beth Triffon as a 'booth ho', 'booth slut' and 'boothstitute', and asked her about her 'booby pictures' on her phone. According to reports, those particular episodes were pulled from the Internet after the backlash. Reportedly, Richards also called Triffon’s friends 'really frumpy and overweight', saying 'they look fat and not good in the picture', and he also said women 'dress like a hooker' on Halloween on the show.
Who will replace Mike Richards on 'Jeopardy!'?
In his statement, Mike Richards noted that Sony Pictures will "resume the search for a permanent syndicated host". "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 would be announced next week, " he said.