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Mike Richards Steps Down as New ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Amid Mounting Controversies

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After much backlash and a myriad of former allegations and controversies, Mike Richards has decided to step down and away from his new hosting duties at Jeopardy! 

The series executive producer was named host last week causing many to cry foul when viewers were very much into other guest hosts who tried out for the hosting spot that would succeed the late iconic host, Alex Trebek.

The news of his exit as host came after a report from Ringer surfaced about Richards’ previous offensive and sexist comments towards his female co-hosts and guests on The Randumb Show, a podcast he hosted in 2013 and 2014.  This came in the wake of previous allegations from his time and legal issues with women during his time as producer at The Price is Right.

 

On Friday, Richards made his decision through a memo that circulated within the production and it was posted by Deadline, which said in Richards words:  “Dear Team, it pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we look to start a new chapter. As I mentioned last week, I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, 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. As a result, we will be canceling production today.  SPT will now resume the search for a permanent syndicated host. In the meantime, we will be bringing back guest hosts to continue production for the new season, details of which will be announced next week.  I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention that has come to Jeopardy! over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing. I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.”

Sony Pictures Television made this comment on Richards hosting exit: “We support Mike’s decision to step down as host. 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.”

So, as of now the search is back on for the syndicated nightly version of Jeopardy! As noted, guest hosts will now fill the space, until one of them is named permanent host putting the likes of Levar Burton, Ken Jennings and more back into the equation. Mayim Bialik was previously named host of the primetime specials and versions of Jeopardy!

So, what do you think about Richards decision to step down? Was he forced to do so? Who should be the ultimate host of Jeopardy! now? Comment below.

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We knew it was coming. There was no way anyone would allow him to continue on as host of Jeopardy! with everything that’s come out, especially following the article from The Ringer. It is my hope they can try and convince Mayim Bialik to sign-on full time as host.

I hope so too, Scott. I also enjoyed Aaron Rodgers and the sportscaster who was the last guest host.

Aaron Rodgers would be an interesting choice. I suspect he would rather do that than end up like the typical “retired” NFL guys, doing network sports commentary, commercials, or both. And he’s already done the insurance ads.

Not retired from football yet, but he’s pushing 40, so it’s a matter of time. Maybe the Jeopardy producers would be willing to work around his NFL schedule, or move their production to Wisconsin. (Yeah that last part really isn’t likely, is it?)

I am flabbergasted that they could let someone with his background advance to this stage. Didn’t they ever hear of background checks? Negative, insulting, derogatory remarks from this guy are not hard to find. It would never have worked and he should have been vetted in the first place. Just imagine how the Trebeks must feel after putting so much effort and money into establishing a homeless shelter when this dickwad chastises a woman for giving a homeless woman a dollar.

Well that didn’t take long. Mike has just become the William Henry Harrison of Jeopardy hosts.

Why is this such a big deal to find a host for this show I can think of a million people to host it instead they pick this douchebag nobody. Get real!

Mr. Richards has made the correct choice to step away from a role which our country has respected for so long. Mayim Bialik is still my first choice. I understand she can’t, at this time, fulfill the role as Jeopardy host. So let the search continue.

I say, move Mayim Bialik into the daily host position and name Ken Jennings to host prime time specials. The shows audiences know them and they are both a good and comfortable fit.

That happened long ago on a podcast far away He would have been great!

Ken Jennings is the most qualified and able person to host Jeopardy. Why keep bouncing around trying to make the world happy with other possibilities? Why waste more time?
The best candidates would be one of the past Jeopardy CHAMPIONS!

People may make poor choices in their lives, but should those choices haunt them forever? It’s not fair to expect perfection from those around us unless we expect the same from ourselves. In my opinion, Mike was the best guest host and realized that he was not the star of the show….the show itself is the star.

Most intelligent adults can understand that there are DEGREES of transgressions. This guy didn’t accidentally fart on the air; he made disparaging remarks about women, Jews, homeless people and the mentally disabled. Raise your standards. Be better.

Bright man but did he not anticipate that all of his former jobs and podcasts would get scrutiny? When you look at all the talent that applied for the job he should have realized how cut throat the selection process would be? The Ringer article was devastating. Someone did not vet this selection. I just hope they name a permanent host soon and move on.

Oh please – he “stepped down” as much as I won the Super Bowl last year. They canned his sorry behind. I’m sick of jerks like this giving all us men a bad name.

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Kim Kardashian, Emma Roberts and Marlene King Land ‘Calabasas’, a Soap in the Vein of the ‘O.C’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’, at Netflix

There has been lot of soapy projects coming to life and in the works of late, and now comes word that Kim Kardashian is executive producing a new series in development for Netflix called Calabasas.

After a bidding war last week, it looks like Netflix cemented the development deal from Kim, and her producing partners American Horror Story co-star Emma Roberts (pictured below) and Pretty Little Liars creators Marlene King and Alexandra Milchan.

The concept of Calabasas is based on the book If You Lived Here You’d Be Famous By Now by Via Bleidner.  King set to write the adaptation and will serve as the series showrunner.

Photo: JPI

According to Deadline, Calabasas is said to be in the vein of primetime young teen and young adult soaps the O.C. and Beverly Hills 90210. The story follows “Via, a 16-year-old sheltered Midwestern Catholic school girl whose world is turned upside down when her family moves and she’s forced to transfer to the fast world of Calabasas High where nothing is as it appears and where everyone is trying to be someone else. It’s a place where dreams come true … but not without complications and sometimes unforeseen consequences.”

Photo: Hulu

As fans of the Kardashians know, Kim and her family made the town of Calabasas a household and worldwide name. Kim being attached to this project helped make its sale. This marks her fourth project to sell since the writers and actors strikes concluded at the end of last summer.

So, would you be interested to see a teen soap called ‘Calabasas’ on Netflix from Kim and company? Comment below.

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The Young and the Restless and General Hospital Actress and Writer, Meg Bennett, Passes Away at 75

Meg Bennett, who had played Julia Newman and later became a writer for the top-rated daytime drama, The Young and the Restless has died at the age of 75.  The news comes from her family who shared that she lost her battle to cancer back on April 11th.

Daytime fans remember fondly, Meg’s portrayal of Victor’s (Eric Braeden)first wife. Bennett joined the show in 1980, after her first soap stint for two years in the role of Liza Walton on Search for Tomorrow.

Impressed by her story notes, the late Bill Bell, then head writer of Y&R, had Meg doing double duty acting and writing on the show from 1983-1987. When he decided to write off the character of Julia, he also wanted Meg to stick around as a writer.  Not only did this begin a whole other daytime career for Bennett, but she was not done playing Julia either. Throughout the decades, Julia would still come back to Genoa City for a visit. Most recently, Y&R fans saw Julia in 2018, and again in 2020.

Photo: JPI

Bennett also appeared on Santa Barbara and was a writer on that show as well from 1991-1993. She played the role of Megan Richardson. It was next that Meg had her longest writing stint coming to ABC’s General Hospital. Meg wrote for GH from 1993-2011.

In 1995, Bennett won her first Daytime Emmy for writing and her personal life changed after falling in love with nine-time Daytime Emmy winner, former GH head writer, Bob Guza Jr. In addition, GH also utilized Bennett for her acting skill when she was cast as the villainess Allegra Montenegro.  Meg and Bog Guza were officially married in 2004 and purchased a home once owned by Boris Karloff and Gregory Peck.

Photo: JPI

Additionally, Meg wrote for The Bold and the Beautiful 1987-1989 and later served as a executive story consultant to Brad Bell from 2002-2004.  She also wrote for Sunset Beach, Generations and GH: Night Shift throughout her writing career. She went on to win five WGA Awards for GH and Santa Barbara.

Meg is survived by her husband of 19 years, Robert Guza Jr., two stepdaughters, four grandchildren, a brother and a sister.

Share your remembrances and condolences for Meg Bennett via the comment section below.

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Steve Kent Reportedly OUT as Sony Pictures Television VP in Charge of DAYS and Y&R

On Friday, reports surfaced that Steve Kent, Senior Executive Vice President of Programming at Sony Pictures Television, is no longer with the company and overseeing the Sony soap operas, Days of our Lives and The Young and the Restless.

According to Soap Opera Digest, a set side source reported that Kent’s last day was last Friday, April 12th, which was one day after what would have been his final appearance in his Sony VP role at the Days of our Lives 15,000th episode on set celebration.

During that ceremony, Kent gave a brief speech giving kudos to DAYS for its incredible milestone. Days is a co-production of Sony Pictures Television and Corday Productions, while Y&R is produced by Bell Dramatic Serial Company in association with Sony Pictures Television.

Photo: JPI

Kent started his soap opera career as a producer for CBS’ defunct Capitol and then as the supervising producer of NBC’s Santa Barbara from1984 to 1993.

Photo: JPI

At Sony, before his role overseeing the soaps, Kent was Senior Executive Vice President of International Productions for Sony Pictures Television International department.

If reports are true, the question becomes who has taken over his position, and would oversee DAYS and Y&R from the Sony side? Share your thoughts on this developing story via the comment section below.

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