'Jeopardy!' is reportedly close to picking its new full-time host

After months and months of tryouts, Jeopardy! has reportedly narrowed down its decision on who will replace Alex Trebek when the show kicks off its 38^th season later this year. Yet somehow, despite the glimmer of hope and change the search yielded, the show may have made what many fans and critics feel is the most underwhelming choice of all: Mike Richards.

According to Variety, Sony Pictures Television is in advanced negotiations to bring Richards in as the new permanent host, a decision that was made following tryouts involving notable names like LeVar Burton(!!!), Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric and even The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik, who has a real-life bachelor of science degree in neuroscience.

You may be wondering, "Who is Mike Richards??"

Richards was Trebek’s latest executive producer. He’s intimately familiar with not only the game, but also with the comforting hosting style that Trebek popularized, letting the contestants be the true stars of the game. Following Trebek’s death at the age of 80 in November 2020, Richards has frequently spoken to media about the search for a replacement.

The producer also stepped in to host the series following Ken Jennings’ six-week guest-hosting gig, taking the podium for two weeks. “As the producer, my job is to quite literally live the mantra ‘the show must go on,’” Richards said at the time. “So let’s do what Alex Trebek did 8,244 times: Let’s play Jeopardy! and prove that nothing can stop this show.”

It’s also worth noting Richards has hosting experience, having fronted shows like High School Reunion and Beauty and the Geek. He’s also worked as a producer on The Price is Right and he helped bring the Let’s Make a Deal revival to air in 2009. According to Variety, he had more than 4,000 hours of game shows on his resume by the time he even got to Jeopardy! in 2020.

Given all that, Richards seemed likely to get the job from the start. However, it is disappointing, especially since he has his own muddy background. In 2012 he was named in a discrimination lawsuit by one of the Price is Right models, Brandi Cochran. Cochran said producers sidelined and harassed her when she became pregnant. She was later awarded more than $7.7 million.

The news that Richards is potentially getting the Jeopardy! gig is also super disappointing to fans who were hoping a person of colour or a woman would get the job instead of another white man.

“why did you choose Mike Richards?”

Jeopardy producers: https://t.co/ObWfTpIDU4 pic.twitter.com/E2gCU0AXv6

— Tyler Conway (@jtylerconway) August 4, 2021

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

— corey (@c0r3yv) August 4, 2021

"After an extensive and totally fair job search, I have decided to hire...myself" - Mike Richards

— Max Weiss (@maxthegirl) August 4, 2021

And then there’s the LeVar Burton of it all.

The Roots, Reading Rainbow and Star Trek star has openly said he wants the gig, and fans launched a massive campaign to get him in front of the cameras in the first place. Still, it took a while and finally he was brought on to host the very last week of the season. His “tryout” was five days long, unlike many others who got two weeks. He was also up against the Olympics.

Burton had a rocky start, but many feel the 64-year-old settled in really well by the end of his week. And, despite his star power and age (two factors that some critics felt worked against him in general in terms of the search), fans online were pretty confident he would be named the next host.

jeopardy: we're searching for a new host

everyone: ok we want @levarburton

j: we want to see who the audience responds to best

e: we ❤ levar

j: if only we had some idea who to choose

e: le👏 var👏 bur👏 ton👏

j: congrats to mike richards

e: that's not how you spell levar

— Fretty Boop (Varys Is Still Underrated) (@i_miss_the_days) August 4, 2021

Me looking at Mike Richards as the potential new Jeopardy host: pic.twitter.com/2w5V7tkKhm

— Obsidian Diz (@da_infamous_DiZ) August 4, 2021

I leave America for two weeks and comeback and somebody named Mike Richards is about to become the host of Jeopardy? Who the heck is Mike Richards? LeVar Burton is right there. 😤

— Chuck Grassley's Pidgin (@ChucksPidgin) August 4, 2021

Now, it seems like the search was all for show, and the gig was Richards’ from the beginning. It is important to note the deal isn’t done yet, but it looks close. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Sony Pictures insisted to Variety that discussions are, “Ongoing with several potential candidates.”

So… is this Sony floating Richards as its potential pick to gauge fan disappointment before making anything permanent? Or did was news “leak” to soften the blow? You be the judge. Either way, it seems like we can all expect a decision soon.  

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