Richards was announced as the full-time replacement for the late Alex Trebek in 2021.
He lasted just one day before resigning after questions arose about his conduct.
We had talked about people coming in and guest hosting if Alex got too sick.
Mike Richards, ‘Jeopardy!‘Screen Capture
But we always knew Alex would come back until the day he decided he couldnt.
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During the process, Richards was inserted into the mix and eventually, offered the job.
No one was more surprised than me, he said.
They told me, Wed like you to be the host of the syndicated version ofJeopardy!
I paused, and said, Oh wow.
Whats the media plan?
Because I was very concerned that this was going to be scrutinized as closely as a presidential election.
There was widespread belief that whoever got the job first wouldnt make it.
And thats not what happens in television.
But I understood that thats what the outward appearances were.
Eventually, details of Richards alleged treatment of aThe Price Is Rightmodel from a past discrimination lawsuit immediately resurfaced.
I hosted one day, he said.
And then the anti-defamation league was called in to do an investigation on me.
I told them, Ill answer anything.
Im an open book, proud of what Ive done.
Im proud of my track record as a boss, Richards said.
But by then, everyone was like, Oh hes just a horrible person.
It was the price you pay for getting thrust into the zeitgeist in a very inopportune moment.
I feel like I can be a force for good as far as having open, honest conversations.
We can all disagree about a lot of things.
We can disagree about politics.
We can disagree about who hostsJeopardy!We can disagree about liking a finalJeopardy!clue.
Since the firing, Richards is still pitching game show concepts.
If I pitched a show and someone asked, Would you be you hosting it?
I say, Only if you think Im the right man for the job.
I dont care if you have someone else in mind, he said.
