'Jeopardy' Fans Upset After Reports Suggest Hosting Gig Is Going To The Show's Executive Producer, Mike Richards

In the nine months since the passing of its beloved, irreplaceable host Alex Trebek, trivia game show Jeopardy! has remained on the air while celebrity guest hosts have taken the podium, all while fans speculated on who could lead the series in the wake of Trebek. Almost none of them thought of the name "Mike Richards."

Variety reported today that Jeopardy!'s executive producer, Mike Richards, is in "advanced negotiations" to become the permanent host of the series. Richards hosted the show in February of 2021, where he reportedly "impressed Sony Pictures brass with his command of the fast-paced game and easy on-air manner."

Richards is no stranger to game shows, serving as an executive producer on staples like Wheel of Fortune and Who Wants To Be A Millionaire. He was reportedly in contention to be the host of The Price Is Right before Drew Carey got the gig. Nevertheless, news that Richards was the frontronner—though Variety makes clear "there’s no certainty that the sides will close a deal"—was not well-received by Twitter users, who seemed to find it nepotistic and disappointing when they preferred other candidates, such as LeVar Burton.

Although everyone wanted LeVar Burton to be the permanent host of “Jeopardy!”, this generic looking white man appointed himself instead.

Who is “Jeopardy!” executive producer, Mike Richards? 🙄 pic.twitter.com/un4KWxHwMg

— Gabe Sanchez (@iamgabesanchez) August 5, 2021

Everyone: We want to see LeVar Burton host Jeopardy.

No one: Jeopardy Exec Producer Mike Richards is in advanced talks to host Jeopardy.

Oh, I see now. 😒

— Ricky Davila (@TheRickyDavila) August 5, 2021

mike richards when the executive producers picked the permanent host. pic.twitter.com/yKKQpRiQZd

— corey (@c0r3yv) August 4, 2021

Jeopardy viewers finding out Mike Richards (the executive producer) named himself permanent host. pic.twitter.com/2MLtH2WkpU

— Tyler Roney (@TylerJRoney) August 5, 2021

Further complicating matters was a lawsuit from a former Price Is Right model when Richards was a producer there. Model Brandi Cochran alleged that she faced harassment on set after getting pregnant and was pressured to announce her pregnancy on air. She was awarded over 7 million dollars in the settlement.

Mike Richards was sued by a former Price is Right model, a black woman, for sexual harassment and toxicity in the workplace. He was sued by another for sidelining her when she became pregnant and subjected her to mistreatment on camera & behind. https://t.co/xy5l70jMBk

— ryan (@SourceRyan) August 5, 2021

Though it's not entirely accurate to say Richards "named himself host," as many tweets are implying, there's no denying that if he gets the gig, he will face significant backlash from fans who had their hopes set on anyone but him.