What is going on with Jeopardy!? Who will be the next host?
By Sandy C.
Jeopardy! is once again without a host. Why did Mike Richards step down from hosting duties? Who is now in the running to become the next permanent game show host?
TV Line broke the news on Aug. 11, Mayim Bialik and Mike Richards were set to be the next Jeopardy! hosts, splitting duties with Bialik taking over primetime specials and spin-off’s of the popular gameshow, and Richards taking the lead as host after the late Alex Trebek.
However, just days after Richards was confirmed as the next Jeopardy! host, lawsuit reports from 2010 resurfaced. These discrimination lawsuits claim that, during his time on The Price is Right, Richards allegedly discriminated against two of the show’s models while they were pregnant.
In one lawsuit, model Shane Stirling sued CBS and Richards for being fired in 2008 as a result of her pregnancy. The Daily Beast has more details on this and the other lawsuit.
In the wake of these resurfaced lawsuits, Richards decided it is best to step down as host, TV Line reports. Richards shared in a statement:
"“…over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show. As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately.”"
Who will host Jeopardy! when the game show returns?
When Jeopardy! returns, the game show will continue to introduce guest hosts as the search for a full-time successor continues. I don’t suspect the search will last for too long, though, as there are already fan favorites in the running.
The guest hosts to pull in the biggest ratings, so far, are: Ken Jennings, Katie Couric, and LeVar Burton.
Which celebrity guest host has been your favorite on the show? Do you believe we’ll hear an announcement soon or will a wave of guest hosts continue?