‘Jeopardy!’ Picks Two New Permanent Hosts, And They’re The Most Boring Choices Possible
Jeopardy!just hasn’t felt the same since longtime hostAlex Trebekpassed away last year. After taking a break to figure out the future of the series, the quiz show ran through a series of guests hosts, includingformer champion Ken Jenningsandfan favorite LeVar Burton, as a trial run to see who might be the best choice to step up to the podium. NowJeopardy!producers have determined who will get the pivotal role on the show, and it will actually be two different hosts: executive producerMike RichardsandThe Big Bang Theoryco-starMayim Bialik.The Daily Beasthas learned, in a “the call is coming from inside the house” scenario, that executive producer Mike Richards is stepping up to host the long-running daily syndicated version ofJeopardy!that airs every weekday afternoon. Meanwhile, Mayim Bialik will come in to host primetime and spin-off specials of the quiz show, such as the upcomingJeopardy! National College Championshipin 2022.
Considering the variety of guest hosts that stopped byJeopardy!over the past few months, these are two of the most boring choices that the show could have made.Buzzy Cohen,Bill Whittaker, and LeVar Burton were infinitely better in their guest hosting gigs than either of these choices. EvenAaron Rodgerswould have been a preferable choice. Richards has the personality of a vanilla wafer and while Bialik wasn’t terrible in her hosting stint, she just doesn’t feel like the right host forJeopardy!after Alex Trebek.
The Problem With Mike Richards
Aside from the fact that Mike Richards isn’t all that great of aJeopardy!host, herecently came under firewith complaints of harassment and discrimination against multiple models onThe Price is Rightwhen they became pregnant during his time as an executive producer on the game show. The executive producer responded to the allegations in a memo to theJeopardy!team:
“I want to address the complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time at The Price is Right ten years ago. These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show. I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on The Price is Right. I know firsthand how special it is to be a parent. It is the most important thing in the world to me. I would not say anything to disrespect anyone’s pregnancy and have always supported my colleagues on their parenting journeys.
I am very proud of my time on The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal. During my tenure, our female cast members welcomed seven beautiful children. We embraced and celebrated each pregnancy and birth both in front of and behind the camera. It was a joy to watch their families grow and highlight their happiness as part of the show.”
Whatever happened atThe Price is Right, apparently it wasn’t enough for Sony Pictures Television to remove him from consideration for being the new permanent host ofJeopardy!. But again, even outside of these supposed transgressions, the fact remains that Mike Richards feels like the host of a CD-ROM version ofJeopardy!that simply couldn’t afford Alex Trebek’s time.
