Nine days after announcing that he would replace the late Alex Trebek as the permanent host of Jeopardy !, Mike Richards withdraws from the gig following an explosive report released by The Ringer that resurfaced from old episodes of his podcast in which all kinds of misogynists, anti-Semitic, anti-Asian, classist and fatphobic comments.
“It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow over Jeopardy! as we seek to open a new chapter, ”said Richards, who served as executive producer on the popular game show before announcing he was becoming a host, in a statement this morning.
“I want to apologize to all of you for the unwanted negative attention that has been brought to Jeopardy! Over the past few weeks and for the confusion and delays it is causing now. have a lot of work to do to regain your trust.
Related: Everyone Including Alex Trebek Cries Because Of Last Night’s Emotional ‘Jeopardy’ Episode
Among the remarks Richards made on his podcast, which he hosted from 2013-2014 and which has since been wiped from the internet, were jokes about people who looked “messy and overweight” in swimsuits. bath, questioning a guest to see if she had nudes. pictures and if he had pictures of his “boobs”, making fun of Jews’ noses and denigrating people for working.
Many people were already unhappy with Richards’ selection as the new permanent host, believing he had unfairly taken advantage of his position as executive producer to pick himself up for the job over guest hosts like Anderson Cooper, Robin Roberts and fan favorite LeVar Burton.
Danger! will resume its guest accommodation system while Sony Pictures Television seeks a replacement for Richards.
Here’s how Twitter reacted to Richards ousting…
The saddest thing about the Mike Richards / Jeopardy stuff is how lame it is at the replacement level – the kind of empty smile suit that every workplace has that thinks it’s a disruptor but breaks things. stuff because he doesn’t know how it works or why it was done that way
– Jon Tayler, Top 0.1% on OnlyJons (@JATayler) August 19, 2021
it is strange that Mike Richards, Head of Jeopardy Host Finder, did not properly verify Mike Richards, the choice for Jeopardy Host, in an exhaustive search led by Mike Richards
– Imran Khan (@imranzomg) August 20, 2021
Mike RIchards tried Cheney himself but instead he just got Scaramucci
– Sam Sanders (@samsanders) August 20, 2021
Shorter Mike Richards: While I regret that my past behavior prevents me from using my whiteness to face Jeopardy! rest assured that I will continue to work behind the scenes to limit opportunities for women and minorities.
– Elie Mystal (@ElieNYC) August 20, 2021
My favorite part of Jeopardy’s story is all of the people acting like Mike Richards is the first underqualified white man with skeletons in his closet to be hired by a bunch of better qualified people.
– Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) August 19, 2021
Mike Richards thinking he can just go back to his PE job after saying and doing what he did is white privilege.
– Matthew A. Cherry (@MatthewACherry) August 20, 2021
What about the guy who hired him, Mike Richards?
– Good Hustle (@unlikelydarling) August 20, 2021
Graham Gremore is editor and editor at Queerty. Follow him on Twitter @grahamgremore.
