Mike Richards is out as the next host of Jeopardy!
The 46-year-old producer is stepping aside as host, just over a week after he was announced to succeed the late Alex Trebek as the host of the game show, via Variety on Friday (August 20).
The executive producer of the show faced much backlash and controversy, after new details surfaced regarding his past conduct and statements on an old podcast series.
Sony Pictures TV confirmed the news, and he said in a statement that the backlash had created “too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.”
The Anti-Defamation League called for an investigation after a report surfaced that he made disparaging remarks about Jews, women and other groups in episodes of The Randumb Show in 2013 and 2014.
At the same time, find out who Sony Pictures named as host of the show’s primetime specials and a spinoff series.
See his full statement, via Variety.
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.
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