Just nine days after it was announced Mike Richards would be succeeding Alex Trebek as the host of Jeopardy, Richards has stepped down.
Richards, who is also the executive producer of the show, is out after details about past conduct and statements he made on an eight-year-old podcast series surfaced.
Richards will remain the show’s executive producer and the episodes he shot in his first and only day as permanent host will air as scheduled to start off the new season on September 13.
Sony Pictures confirmed that Richards will be stepping aside as host and Richards said in a statement via Variety, the backlash has resulted in “too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show.”
“We support Mike’s decision to step down as host,” Sony Pictures TV said. “We were surprised this week to learn of Mike’s 2013/2014 podcast and the offensive language he used in the past. We have spoken with him about our concerns and our expectations moving forward.”
“Mike has been with us for the last two years and has led the ‘Jeopardy!’ team through the most challenging time the show has ever experienced. It is our hope that as EP he will continue to do so with professionalism and respect,” they continued.
There will be a new round of guest hosts to launch the show’s 38th year.
