Variety reports:
Mike Richards is out as “Jeopardy!” host, just nine days after he was tapped to succeed the legendary Alex Trebek as the face of the beloved quiz show.
Richards, who is also executive producer of “Jeopardy!,” saw his hold on the job undone with astonishing speed after unflattering and downright ugly details surfaced about his past conduct and statements he made on an eight-year-old podcast series. He will remain the show’s executive producer.
On Friday, Sony Pictures TV confirmed that Richards had agreed to step aside as host. In a statement, Richards said the backlash had created “too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.”
New “Jeopardy!” host Mike Richards’ disparaging remarks about Jews, women & Asians are no laughing matter.
Stereotyping is an entry point to hate and his apology lacks acknowledgment of its harm.
This reported pattern warrants an investigation. https://t.co/0D8D7441vU— ADL (@ADL) August 19, 2021
Mike Richards Out as ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Amid Cascade of Scandals https://t.co/L2JHZsIlb7
— Variety (@Variety) August 20, 2021
Breaking News: Mike Richards, who was named the new host of “Jeopardy!” last week, is abruptly leaving the role at the beloved game show after a report this week resurfaced offensive and sexist comments he made on a podcast several years ago. https://t.co/VUdPwDG9wZ
— The New York Times (@nytimes) August 20, 2021
? New Jeopardy host Mike Richards – who faced pregnancy discrimination lawsuits at Price Is Right – joked about the physical appearance of women, Jews, and Asians across series of podcasts he hosted. Richards wiped entire podcast series from internet when asked about it https://t.co/9KzP3D35px
— Justin Sink (@justinsink) August 18, 2021