Mike Richards Cut From 'Jeopardy!' And 'Wheel Of Fortune'

CULVER CITY, CA — Mike Richards was fired Tuesday as executive producer of "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" just nine days after stepping down as host of the quiz show after inappropriate comments he made on podcasts years ago surfaced.

Sony Pictures Television Executive Vice President Suzanne Prete announced the news in a memo to both of the game shows' employees.

"I'm writing to let you know that Mike will no longer be serving as EP of 'Wheel' and 'Jeopardy!' effective immediately," Prete wrote in the memo. "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."

Production for both shows will remain on schedule, Prete said.

"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," she wrote. "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."

The comments that sank Richards came on podcasts in 2013 and 2014. According to The Ringer, Richards made disparaging remarks about women, little people, the mentally disabled and Jews during episodes of the "The Randumb Show."

In addition, discrimination lawsuits filed by women who worked on "The Price is Right" — where Richards was executive producer from 2008 to 2018 — recently resurfaced.

Richards had already taped several "Jeopardy!" shows as the new host before he stepped down from the role, but he remained on board as an executive producer.

He issued an apology 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. I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence."

Questions also brewed over how much control Richards had over the show behind the scenes and when he was named new permanent host, according to a report from The Ringer. Some fans believed other potential hosts, including LeVar Burton and Ken Jennings, were not treated fairly. Some cited Burton's episodes aired during the Olympics and the fact he had a short time to film multiple episodes compared with other guest hosts.

After weeks of wondering who will be host, one fan favorite will step in to replace Richards.

Mayim Bialik — who was previously tapped to host prime-time and spinoff specials of "Jeopardy!" — will fill in as interim host.

She was among a rotating cast of guests hosts who kept the show going as producers tried to fill the role held by the late Alex Trebek since its syndicated revival began in 1984.

"Happy to be of service to my Jeopardy! family. There's no place I'd rather be!" Bialik tweeted last week.

The "Big Bang Theory" actress and neuroscientist is scheduled to film 15 episodes as host of the game show for the next three weeks. Additional guest hosts will also join the show to help kick off the 38th season starting Sept. 13.

Some don't think Bialik should host the long-running show.

Bialik has had a history of questioning vaccines and during a pandemic and public health crisis, critics question if she is a good choice for host, according to Mother Jones. She's now said that her children are vaccinated, but others argue she also has a history of blaming victims of Harvey Weinstein, Daily Beast reports.

She wrote the following in New York Times op-ed:

"I still make choices every day as a 41-year-old actress that I think of as self-protecting and wise. I have decided that my sexual self is best reserved for private situations with those I am most intimate with. I dress modestly. I don't act flirtatiously with men as a policy."

In 2014, Bialik described how she donated money to the Israeli Defense Forces for bulletproof vests because of "a need to do something." And in 2021, Human Rights Watch issued a report announcing that Israel and the IDF's treatment of Palestinians "amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution."

— City News Service and Patch Editor Nicole Charky contributed to this report.

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