Breaking News
Mike Richards Steps Down as New ‘Jeopardy!’ Host Amid Mounting Controversies
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.
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.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.
Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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This week starts with heartbreaking news. Patrick Muldoon, best known for his roles as the original Austin Reed on Days of Our Lives and later as Richard Hart on Melrose Place, died on Sunday, April 19, at the age of 57. Reports indicate his death was sudden following a heart attack.
Muldoon’s sister, Shana Muldoon-Zappa, told TMZ on Monday more details on her brother’s death, “Patrick went to take a shower Sunday morning after drinking coffee with his girlfriend in their Beverly Hills home. His girlfriend decided to check on him after he was taking too long and found him unconscious on the bathroom floor?” Shana added that paramedics rushed over and tried to revive Patrick, but there was nothing anyone could do.
Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became a fan favorite during the on-screen love story between Austin and Carrie Brady (Christie Clarke). Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.
Photo: JPI
On Melrose Place, he played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. Patrick launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991.
Throughout his decades long career, Muldoon also starred in several motion and TV series including his leading roile in Starship Troopers (1997). He also had parts in Deadlock (2021), Vanquish (2021), Dakota (2022), Marlowe (2022), and Murder At Hollow Creek (2023).
Photo: JPI
Not only was Patrick an actors, but a producer and a musician and singer. He often made appearances and put out music with his band, The Sleeping Masses. Muldoon was the band’s lead singer and guitar player. Patrick was also a producer of TV and film projects.
At the time of his death, Patrick was also an executive producer on a the movie “Kockroach,” which is currently in production.
Taking to his Instagram, just a few days before his death, Muldoon expressed,“So excited to be a part of this amazing project KOCKROACH directed by Matt Ross starring Chris Hemsworth, Taron Edgerton, Zazzie Beetz And Alec Baldwin. Filming now in Australia,” he captioned his post.
Sadly, on April 24, Muldoon can be seen in his 2025 film Dirty Hands also festuring Denise Richards (ex-B&B, RHOBH), which will be released on digital streaming platforms on VOD.
Muldoon is survived by his partner, Miriam Rothbart; parents, Deanna and Patrick Muldoon Sr.; his sister and brother-in-law, Shana and Ahmet Zappa; and their children, Muldoon’s beloved niece Halo and nephew Arrow Zappa.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Patrick Muldoon via the comment section, which is followed below by the trailer Dirty Hands due out later this week on digital platforms.
All My Children and Hallmark alum, Jonathan Bennett has been cast in the newly-created role on General Hospital as Joe Fitzpatrick.
Look for Bennett to make his debut on the ABC soap opera next month in May. Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans for his work as JR Chandler on All My Children from 2000-2001. Later, he landed the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout role.
Jonathan would go on to star in seven Hallmark Channel movies and then hosting and producing the network’s reality competition show Finding Mr. Christmas, Bennett has also appeared as a contestant on Season 19 of Dancing with the Stars, plus Celebrity Big Brother in 2019, and he starred on Broadway in Spamalot.
Courtesy/ABC
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital shared to Deadline who first reported the casting news, “We’re so excited to have Jonathan joining our cast. He’s a tremendous talent and will be a fantastic addition to ‘GH.’
After the news broke, Bennett took to his Instagram and shared, “There’s a new guy in town…” Meanwhile, the official General Hospital account shared a pic and expressed, “He’s already tired of us telling him his hair looks sexy pushed back. Welcome to the family, Jonathan Bennett.
Bennett is married to Jaymes Vaughan. Back in 2022, they became the first gay couple to appear on the cover of the wedding magazine, The Knot.
So, what do you think of the casting of Jonathan as Joe Fitzpatrick? Is he the new man for Lucas? Share your thoughts via the comment section.
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