Mike Richards has stepped down as the host of 'Risk.

 

Mike Richards planned for years to become the host of an iconic TV game show.

But he lasted as the host of "Risk!" for just one taping day.
The producer-turned-host who positioned himself as Alex Trebek's rightful heir claimed Friday he has "stepped down," pointing out the conflict over "past incidents and also comments.".
The sensational statement came two days after The Ringer website revealed a litany of offending remarks in Richards' past.
Now the precious game program is returning to visitor hosts for the time being. But Sony, which runs the show, states Richards will certainly continue to be the exec producer-- a half-step that has some "Jeopardy!" superfans concerned about the future of the franchise business.
The weeks-long "Jeopardy" conflict has actually come to be a shiner for Sony and an irritating related activity for the local TV terminals that depend upon the competition's high ratings.
Throughout the decades that Trebek led the game show, the drama was virtually totally on-screen. However this summer it has played out off-screen, on social networks and also message boards and enjoyment websites.
Sony's decision to cast Richards as host roiled the "Jeopardy!" fan area. He was still a relatively newbie to the "Risk" executive producer work and the assumption was that he employed himself as host. The reality was extra complicated: Various Sony execs were entailed as well as the supreme decision-maker was Tony Vinciquerra, chairman and also CEO of Sony Photo Entertainment.
However Richards was involved from the extremely starting when "Risk!" prepared a season of visitor hosts following Trebek's death last November.
To viewers it seemed a tryout procedure-- as well as Richards, who formerly held video game programs on GSN, was the 2nd person to complete, right after "Jeopardy!" genius as well as Trebek close friend Ken Jennings.
" Mike wanted the work from the very beginning," said a resource with expertise of the tryout procedure. "As well as I think he adjusted in such a way so that he was the right choice.".
A number of television professionals, consisting of guest hosts as well as individuals who intended to audition for the task, revealed the very same belief to CNN Service.
Richards stated, nonetheless, in an interior memorandum that "the option on this is not my choice and never ever has actually been." Sony stated it "pored over video footage from every episode, assessed research study from multiple panels as well as focus groups, as well as obtained valuable input from our vital companions and Risk! visitors" prior to choosing Richards.
Past lawsuits from Richards' time as executive producer of "The Cost Is Right" resurfaced in journalism. Richards protected himself versus claims that he mistreated coworkers there. Sony went on and assigned him the host one week later.
Then came Wednesday's coverage by Claire McNear, a writer at The Ringer and also the author of a current publication concerning the video game show.
McNear discovered Richards' old podcast, in which he made demeaning statements about dwarfs, Jews, people obtaining unemployment benefits and sexist remarks about women. He "continuously used offending language as well as disparaged females's bodies," McNear reported.
Richards removed the podcast episodes and asked forgiveness, saying "my efforts to be funny as well as intriguing were not appropriate." He stated he meant to measure up to his responsibilities as a "good example" as the brand-new "Jeopardy!" host.
The new period was set to begin production on Thursday. Sony went on and also taped 5 episodes that will certainly air in September. The company generally tapes five episodes of the game show on a single day.
However while the insulations were occurring, Sony decreased to comment on the strengthening conflict, raising the specter that Richards' track record was too spotted for him to continue as host.
After 1 day, it was clear that his apology was not well-received. The Anti-Defamation League also weighed in, stating that Richards' "disparaging statements concerning Jews, women & Asians are no laughing matter. Stereotyping is an access point to hate as well as his apology does not have recommendation of its injury. This reported pattern warrants an investigation.".
On Friday morning, manufacturing was put on hold. Richards claimed in a memorandum to associates that Friday's insulations were terminated.
He referenced "past occurrences as well as comments" that have "cast such a shadow on Risk! as we aim to start a brand-new phase." He claimed he had stepped down as a result.
" Over the last a number of days," he created, "it has become clear that moving on as host would certainly be way too much of a distraction for our followers as well as not the right move for the show.".
Richards likewise wrote in the memorandum that Sony "will certainly now return to the search for a long-term syndicated host. In the meantime, we will be restoring guest hosts to continue manufacturing for the new period, information of which will certainly be revealed next week.".
Sony said in a statement that "we support Mike's choice to step down as host," adding, "we were amazed today to find out of Mike's 2013/2014 podcast and the offensive language he utilized in the past.".
Simply put, it shows up the business did not perform standard vetting.
" We have talked to him concerning our issues and our expectations moving on," Sony stated, indicating that he will certainly continue to be the show's leading producer.
Richards composed, "I intend to apologize per of you for the unwanted adverse attention that has pertained to Jeopardy! over the last couple of weeks and also for the complication and also delays this is currently triggering. I recognize I have a lot of job to do to reclaim your count on and also confidence.