|
Earlier this month Richards, an executive
producer on the show, was appointed to replace legendary host
Alex Trebek, who died in 2020 after more than three decades on
the series.
"It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast
such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we look to start a new chapter,"
Richards said in an internal note to staff obtained by Reuters.
Richards said he would be stepping down "effective immediately"
and that production of the show on Friday will be canceled. Sony
Pictures Television, producer of the show, will resume the
search for a permanent host while bringing back guest hosts to
continue production of the new season, the statement from
Richards said.
"We support Mike’s decision to step down as host. We were
surprised this week to learn of Mike’s 2013/2014 podcast and the
offensive language he used in the past," a spokesperson for Sony
Pictures Television said in a statement. "We have spoken with
him about our concerns and our expectations moving forward."
Richards joined Sony Pictures Television in 2019 and has served
as executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune."
Prior to that, he produced another game show, "The Price is
Right."
Actor Mayim Bialik was selected alongside Richards to host
prime-time specials and "Jeopardy!" spinoffs including a college
championship tournament that will air on ABC next year,
according to a statement from Sony Pictures Television.
Earlier this week, disparaging and sexist comments made by
Richards when he was the host of a podcast called "The Randumb
Show" resurfaced
https://www.theringer.com/tv/
2021/8/18/22631299/mike-richards-jeopardy-host-search-process-past-comments
in a report in online publication "The Ringer."
"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," Richards
wrote in the memo. "I know I have a lot of work to do to regain
your trust and confidence."
(Reporting by Maria Caspani, Editing by Steve Orlofsky)
[© 2021 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2021 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content
|
|
