While Mike Richards is best known to daytime fans for his behind the scenes work as the former executive producer of “The Price is Right” and “Let’s Make a Deal,” it looks like the rest of America will soon be welcoming him into their homes permanently as the new host of “Jeopardy!” replacing Alex Trebek who sadly passed away in November.
Richards, who currently serves as the executive producer of “Jeopardy!” guest hosted the game show earlier this year following the conclusion of all new episodes featuring Trebek. He later passed the baton onto a series of celebrity guest hosts, including presumed front runner Ken Jennings.
First reported by Variety, Sony Pictures Television is reportedly in the final stages of naming a new host for the veteran series with Richards said to be in “advanced negotiations.” Incidentally, Richards signed a multi-year overall deal with the company in 2020 when he was given the EP reins of the game show. It’s unclear whether or not Richards would remain EP should he become the permanent host.
Variety notes that a rep for the studio could only say that discussions “were ongoing with several potential candidates” while declining to comment on Richards’ status. A source told the publication that there were no guarantees that a deal would be made with Richards considering others are still in the running but “Richards is clearly the front-runner.”
Soap Opera Network readers were first introduced to Richards in November 2014 as he discussed the new direction in which “The Price is Right” was taking with Drew Carey as host. You can read our interview here.
In a clip from his time guest hosting “Jeopardy!” earlier this year, Richards discusses what the show has meant to him, filling in unexpectedly due to a scheduling conflict for Ken Jennings, and so much more. You can watch the clip below.
Other hosting gigs Richards has held include “Beauty and the Geek,” GSN’s “Divided” and “The Pyramid.”