Jeopardy!hasfound itself a new permanent hostin executive producerMike Richards— and stars and fans alike have plenty to say about it.
Stars that were tapped to temporarily guest-hostJeopardy!ahead of Richards' casting includeLeVar Burton,Savannah Guthrie,Robin Roberts,Katie Couric,Anderson CooperandAaron Rodgers.
Alongside Richards,Mayim Bialikwill hostJeopardy!primetime and the newly-announced spinoff seriesJeopardy! National College Championship, which will premiere on ABC next year. Bialik, 45, previously guest-hostedJeopardy!between May 31 to June 11.
News regarding Richards' new role sparked mixed reactions across social media.
Wheel of FortunehostPat Sajakgave a “welcome” to Richards on Twitter, while directorAva DuVernayshared a GIF ofDan LevyonSchitt’s Creekand wrote: “Me trying to create a show right in this moment for @levarburton to host and make an international hit.”
AsJeopardy!championKen Jenningssimply retweeted an official statement on the news,CommunityalumYvette Nicole Brownsaid she’s “very happy” for Bialik but added that “the way the search was handled did @levarburton dirty.”
Fans of the series had varied reactions to the news as well. While some viewers expressed their disappointment about the decision, others were supportive.
“This is… really confusing. But hey, new primetime #Jeopardy tournaments? Color me interested,” one persontweetedas another userwrote, “Jeopardy made the right decision. Mike Richard’s was the best.”
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios and Corporate Development for Sony Pictures, said that the decision for casting both Richards and Bialik was taken “incredibly seriously.”
“A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show — deservedly so because it’sJeopardy!and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek,” Ahuja said in a statement. “A senior group of Sony Pictures Television executives pored over footage from every episode, reviewed research from multiple panels and focus groups, and got valuable input from our key partners andJeopardy!viewers.”
Ahuja added that they “knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices.”
Mike Richards.Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions
Days before Richards' casting was confirmed,he addressedthe rumors of him hosting the show and the “complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time atThe Price Is Right10 years ago” in a letter to staff.
source: people.com
