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Who Is Mike Richards? JEOPARDY! EP Names as Frontrunner for Host

Photo from Jeopardy! Instagram

Who Is Mike Richards? JEOPARDY! EP Names as Frontrunner for Host

By Movieguide® Staff

JEOPARDY! ‘s executive producer Mike Richards is reportedly the frontrunner to take on the role of host.

After the death of the show’s long-time host, Alex Trebek, in November 2020, the game show invited several guest hosts, including LeVar Burton, Katie Couric, Aaron Rodgers, Mayim Bialik, and more.

Variety reported that the 46-year-old Richards is in “advanced negotiations” after an impressive on-air performance. The outlet also reported that Richards is not the only potential replacement that Sony will consider.

Fox News reported:

A source close to the situation told the outlet that other candidates remain in the mix and Richards’ role as host is not yet guaranteed, but that he’s a frontrunner.

Richards previously hosted the shows “Divided” and “The Pyramid,” both for Sony.

Additionally, for the WB network, he previously hosted “High School Reunion” and for the CW, “Beauty and the Geek.”

In 2008, he began working as a co-executive producer on “The Price Is Right” before becoming an executive producer on the show just a year later. He was also instrumental in selling the “Let’s Make a Deal” revival to CBS.

Before joining the “Jeopardy!” team last year, Richards produced over 4,000 hours of game shows, Variety reports. He first came to Sony via ABC’s celebrity version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.”

But will Richards wiggle his way into viewers’ hearts like Trebek?

Movieguide® previously reported on what Trebek meant to the show’s loyal fanbase:

The Canadian-American presenter became the show’s face during his three decades and over 8,200 episodes.

In 2014 he set a Guinness World Record for “most game show episodes hosted by the same presenter.”

In March of 2019, Trebek announced his diagnosis of stage 4 pancreatic cancer and continued to update fans on his condition as he underwent treatment.

Trebek vowed to continue to host JEOPARDY! despite his treatments, which included chemotherapy. The host’s contract was expected to expire in 2022.

Trebek is survived by his second wife, Jean, and his children Matthew, Emily, and Nicky.

“This is an enormous loss for the JEOPARDY! staff, crew and all of Alex’s millions of fans. He was a legend of the industry that we were all lucky to watch night after night for 37 years. Working beside him for the past year and a half as he heroically continued to host JEOPARDY! was an incredible honor. His belief in the importance of the show and his willingness to push himself to perform at the highest level was the most inspiring demonstration of courage I have ever seen. His constant desire to learn, his kindness, and his professionalism will be with all of us forever,” Executive Producer Mike Richards told Fox News.

Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

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Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.


Now more than ever we’re bombarded by darkness in media, movies, and TV. Movieguide® has fought back for almost 40 years, working within Hollywood to propel uplifting and positive content. We’re proud to say we’ve collaborated with some of the top industry players to influence and redeem entertainment for Jesus. Still, the most influential person in Hollywood is you. The viewer.

What you listen to, watch, and read has power. Movieguide® wants to give you the resources to empower the good and the beautiful. But we can’t do it alone. We need your support.

You can make a difference with as little as $7. It takes only a moment. If you can, consider supporting our ministry with a monthly gift. Thank you.

Movieguide® is a 501c3 and all donations are tax deductible.