Sony Pictures Television officially fires Mike Richards from his position as executive producer on Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune amidst backlash. The quiz show rose to popularity beginning in 1984 as Alex Trebek took over as host of the series for a daily syndicated version. However, the series would find itself without a host in 2020 as Trebek would lose his battle to stage IV pancreatic cancer, with a number of guest hosts filling in, some of whom included former champion Ken Jennings, Reading Rainbow's LeVar Burton and The Big Bang Theory alum Mayim Bialik.
The search for a new permanent host for Jeopardy! initially came to a close as Richards was tapped for the position while Bialik signed on to host primetime specials on ABC and potential spin-offs. This would be short-lived, however, as Richards would step down just nine days later after offensive comments from a now-deleted podcast resurfaced, with the search beginning once again while Richards would retain his role as EP for the series. While the search continues for a new host, another position will now looked to be filled for the series.
Nearly two weeks after his departure from the hosting position, TVLine brings word that Sony Pictures TV has officially removed Richards from his position as EP on Jeopardy! and fellow quiz series Wheel of Fortune. Michael Davies of Embassy Row has signed on to assist with the production on an interim basis until a new EP is hired for the series. Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of business and strategy at Sony Pictures Television, wrote the following memo to both shows' staff:
“I’m writing to let you know that Mike will no longer be serving as EP of Wheel and Jeopardy! effective immediately. We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks. That clearly has not happened. Michael and I will work together with all of you in the weeks ahead to ensure that production remains on schedule and we do not miss a beat as we head into the new season. I know this has been a challenging time for the entire team, and I want to thank you all for your cooperation and professionalism over these last few weeks. As Ravi mentioned last week, I will be more involved in the day-to-day on our shows moving forward and I am looking forward to working closely with all of you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you need anything.”
The search for a new permanent host of Jeopardy! has become one of the most infamous in TV history in just a few months time, with Richards' hiring being criticized as favoritism from the EP essentially choosing himself for the position before the offensive comments were later revealed. While former champion Jennings would subsequently become the frontrunner for the producers, he would also be taken off the list of potential candidates due to offensive tweets from the past. However, the decision to keep Richards on as EP has been a continued talking point, with many finding it to be an avoidance of justice for his offensive comments made in the past.
The decision to remove Richards entirely from both Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune should come as a positive development to many. Sony has not only set the bar for appropriate behavior in front of the camera as much as behind it, but has also sent a message to fans that it will not tolerate such egregious actions from new or longtime staff. Only time will tell whether the fan-favored LeVar Burton will be as squeaky clean as all hope to take over as permanent host of the series or if producers will have to go with another candidate down the line.
Source: TVLine