Mike Richards steps down as “Jeopardy!” host after inappropriate feedback resurface
Mike Richards is stepping down as the brand new host of “Jeopardy!” after previous inappropriate feedback he made resurfaced this week. In a e mail to employees obtained by CBS Information, Richards mentioned it “pains” him “that these previous incidents and feedback have forged such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we glance to start out a brand new chapter.”
A evaluation by The Ringer of Richards’ previous podcast episodes discovered the host made sexist feedback and used derogatory language about folks on a number of events.
In his memo to the employees on Friday, Richards mentioned he was “deeply honored” to host the present, however “during the last a number of days it has grow to be clear that shifting ahead as host can be an excessive amount of of a distraction for our followers and never the appropriate transfer for the present.”
“As such, I will probably be stepping down as host efficient instantly. In consequence, we will probably be canceling manufacturing right this moment,” he mentioned, including that Sony Footage, which at the moment produces “Jeopardy!” will resume its seek for a everlasting syndicated host.
Within the meantime, the memo mentioned friends hosts will kick off the brand new season, with particulars to be introduced web week. After longtime host Alex Trebek died in November 2020, a sequence of visitor hosts took the rostrum, together with LeVar Burton, Aaron Rodgers and Katie Couric, in addition to Richards himself. He was named everlasting host final week.
“I need to apologize to every of you for the undesirable destructive consideration that has come to Jeopardy! over the previous few weeks and for the confusion and delays that is now inflicting,” Richards mentioned within the memo. “I do know I’ve numerous work to do to regain your belief and confidence.”
Richards, who turned government producer of “Jeopardy!” in 2020, additionally serves as the manager producer of “Wheel of Fortune.”
In a press release, Sony Footage Tv mentioned it supported his resolution to step down as host, and famous that he’ll stay within the function of government producer.
“We have been stunned this week to be taught of Mike’s 2013/2014 podcast and the offensive language he used prior to now. Now we have spoken with him about our issues and our expectations shifting ahead,” the corporate mentioned. “Mike has been with us for the final two years and has led the Jeopardy! staff by means of essentially the most difficult time the present has ever skilled. It’s our hope that as EP he’ll proceed to take action with professionalism and respect.”
From 2013 to 2014, Richards hosted a podcast known as “The Randumb Present,” whose 41 episodes have been reviewed by The Ringer. They discovered Richards requested his co-host and assistant if that they had any nude pictures, used derogatory phrases for little folks and people with an mental incapacity and known as girls fats. He additionally has made insensitive remarks about Jewish folks.
In a press release in regards to the podcast feedback, Richards mentioned: “Trying again now, there isn’t a excuse, in fact, for the feedback I made on this podcast and I’m deeply sorry. The podcast was supposed to be a sequence of irreverent conversations between longtime buddies who had a historical past of joking round. Even with the passage of time, it is greater than clear that my makes an attempt to be humorous and provocative weren’t acceptable, and I’ve eliminated the episodes.”
When Richards was first rumored as a doable new host earlier this 12 months, a number of media retailers additionally resurfaced previous discrimination lawsuits filed in opposition to him when he was the manager producer of “The Worth is Proper.”
On August 9, Richards despatched a letter to employees in regards to the lawsuits, saying the allegations have been “made in employment disputes in opposition to the present.” “I would like you all to know that the best way through which my feedback and actions have been characterised in these complaints doesn’t replicate the fact of who I’m or how we labored collectively on The Worth is Proper,” he mentioned.
