Mike Richards is officially out as executive producer of Jeopardy

Sometimes dreams do come true. Not only did Mike Richards step down as the new host of Jeopardy, but he has now also stepped down as the executive producer of both Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune.

Apparently, the higher-ups thought the controversy would go away once Richards stepped down as host, but that wasn’t the case. According to the staff memo, Suzanne Prete, Sony Picture Television’s Senior Vice President of Global Licensing and Brand Management for Gameshows and Games, said:

"We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks. That clearly has not happened."

As an executive producer, Richards would still have a lot of power over how the show turned out and how the employees, including the new host, were treated. That wasn’t acceptable for a lot of fans.

Mike Richards is out at the executive of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune

While Mayim Bialik was named the temporary host after Mike Richards stepped down, she wasn’t exactly unproblematic either.

Her past victim-blaming of Harvey Weinstein survivors, her anti-vax opinions, and the money she donated to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) that have been harassing and killing Palestinians for decades have also been brought into the light since she was named host of Jeopardy’s primetime specials. Is that really who we want to be the successor of Alex Trebek?

But according to Screenrant, a new report from former Hollywood Reporter editor, Matthew Belloni recently came out showing that Bialik will likely not be the next permanent Jeopardy host. Why? Because she is scheduled to star in a new Fox sitcom, Call Me Kat, and the schedule for that is likely to conflict with the Jeopardy filming schedule.

So who will be the next permanent host? LeVar Burton? Fans can only hope. Hopefully, we at least get someone with a less problematic history. Only time will tell.

Who do you think should be the next host of Jeopardy? Let us know in the comments below!