Everything That's Gone Wrong With The New Jeopardy! Hosts So Far

Since the passing of beloved host Alex Trebek in November 2020, "Jeopardy!" has faced significant challenges in finding a suitable successor. The iconic game show experienced a whirlwind of guest hosts, each vying for a permanent spot behind the podium. Fans had their favorites, but many were left disappointed by the exclusion of some notable candidates, such as CNN's Laura Coates. Trebek himself had suggested several potential successors in a 2018 interview, but unfortunately, none were given the opportunity to showcase their talents on the show.

After months of speculation, it was finally announced on August 11 that Mike Richards, who had been the executive producer of "The Price Is Right," would take over as the permanent host. Meanwhile, Mayim Bialik was set to host primetime specials and spinoff series. However, this decision quickly spiraled into controversy, leading fans to question the future of "Jeopardy!" and its new leadership. The show's reputation hung in the balance as various issues began to surface regarding the new hosts.

As we delve deeper, we will explore the missteps surrounding Mike Richards and Mayim Bialik, revealing how their pasts and public perceptions have affected their roles in this beloved television institution. Join us as we examine the unfolding drama behind the scenes of "Jeopardy!" and what it means for the show's legacy.

Mike Richards was involved in numerous lawsuits

Mike Richards served as executive producer of "The Price Is Right" from 2008 to 2018. During that time, he got mixed up in serious legal drama — all of which resurfaced days before he was confirmed as the new "Jeopardy!" host.

Former model Brandi Cochran filed a lawsuit against CBS and Fremantle Media in 2010, alleging discrimination and harassment after announcing her pregnancy. In the suit, she claimed she wasn't allowed to return to work after maternity leave and that Richards reportedly "did not talk to her as frequently as before." When she revealed she was having twins, he’s said to have "put his face in his hands" and asked "in an annoyed tone, 'Twins? Are you serious?'" Cochran also claimed she "was booked to work less often" and that Richards told another model, per The Hollywood Reporter, "I fire five models, what are the odds one of the ones that I keep gets pregnant?" The lawsuit, which Cochran won in 2012 (she was awarded $7.7 million in punitive damages, per the Associated Press) also stated that Richards asked for the models to wear bikinis more often and to wear shorter skirts.

Model Lanisha Cole also sued Richards directly in 2011. She claimed he "completely refused to talk with her directly" and made her feel "great uncertainty" about her job. The case was later settled out of court (via the Los Angeles Times).

Mike Richards was caught making unacceptable comments on a podcast

Despite "The Price Is Right" lawsuits resurfacing, Mike Richards was appointed as the new "Jeopardy!" host. But, soon after, his past came back to haunt him again when The Ringer discovered his 2013-2014 podcast, "The Randumb Show." After listening to all 41 episodes, the outlet highlighted countless occasions where Richards made "bawdy and sometimes vulgar" comments, including calling his then-assistant Jen Bisgrove a "boothstitute" after she said she once worked as a model at CES. In another instance, he joked about telling a "The Price Is Right" employee who had started baking that they'd "have to saw her out of her room because she was going to be so giant that she wouldn't be able to fit out the door."

Most of the eyebrow-raising remarks, however, were geared toward co-host Beth Triffon. For example, when she showed him a photo of her and two friends, Richards unabashedly proclaimed, "They all look terrible in the picture. They look fat and not good." When Triffon opened up about problems with her apartment, he shot off, "Does Beth live, like, in Haiti?" And when she spoke of receiving unemployment insurance, he asked, "Do you feel dirty? Seriously, and I’m not trying to be mean." In their investigation, The Ringer also caught Richards using the R-word, flinging "a derogatory term for little people," and responding to a comment about big noses with, "She's not an ew-Jay."

Mike Richards tried to respond to the controversy

Mike Richards began damage control by sending an email to "Jeopardy!" staff to address the allegations made against him during his time as producer for "The Right is Right." In his note, per Deadline, he underscored the fact that the allegations were technically made against the show and not him specifically. He was adamant that the complaints regarding his comments and behavior did "not reflect the reality of who I am." Acknowledging Brandi Cochran's complaints directly, he continued, "I know firsthand how special it is to be a parent ... I would not say anything to disrespect anyone's pregnancy and have always supported my colleagues on their parenting journeys," he assured.

Days later, Richards was apologizing again, this time about "The Randumb Show," his former podcast which cast him, yet again, in a negative light. After deleting all episodes of the podcast, as well as its hosting site, Richards told The Ringer, "It is humbling to confront a terribly embarrassing moment of misjudgment, thoughtlessness, and insensitivity from nearly a decade ago." Saying he was "deeply sorry," he tried to explain that he was aiming to be "funny and provocative" but admitted that the way he went about it was "not acceptable." He concluded, "My responsibilities today as a father, husband, and a public personality ... means I have substantial and serious obligations as a role model, and I intend to live up to them."

Mike Richards was slowly removed from *all* of his roles

No matter how hard he tried, Mike Richards could not escape the mounting calls for his resignation. On August 18, the producer announced in a statement (via Rolling Stone) that he had resigned as host "effective immediately" because it would cause "too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show." Richards added that the show would return to using guest hosts for the time being and apologized "for the unwanted negative attention" and delays. He also said that he has "a lot of work to do to regain [viewers'] trust and confidence."

However, he was initially allowed to keep his job as executive producer. Reps from Sony Pictures Television, which produces the show, said they were "surprised" to learn of Richards' comments on the podcast, but that Richards was aware of their "expectations moving forward" and promised to demonstrate "professionalism and respect." Jump to August 31: Variety confirmed that Richards had been fired as executive producer of both "Jeopardy!" and "Wheel of Fortune" (both roles he held since 2020). According to Executive Vice President Suzanne Prete, Sony had hoped Richards' move behind the camera would "have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties," but "that clearly has not happened."

Mayim Bialik's medical claims had fans calling for her resignation, too

Just like Mike Richards, Mayim Bialik has had to reckon with her "ugly history" since being hired by "Jeopardy!" Following Mike