Jeopardy!'s New Host Mike Richards Steps Down Following Controversial Podcast Comments

That didn’t take long!

After Jeopardy!‘s newly-appointed host Mike Richards stepped in s**t with past derogatory and offensive comments on his podcast, The Randumb Show, he’s actually decided to step down! Relieving himself of his hosting duties, which has been highly controversial since he scored the gig, he announced the news in a statement on Friday… just one day after the upcoming season started to film with him at the helm!

Mike shared:

“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 [Sony Pictures Televison] 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.”

According to The New York Times, Richards didn’t come to this decision just from reading Twitter critiques. Two sources inside the show spilled that other staff were NOT happy with what they’d recently learned about their new host.

Before Richards’ first official taping on Thursday, the staff had their morning meeting — and things got rather heated! The atmosphere was incredibly awkward as many employees were “deeply upset” by his past comments, claimed the insiders. Some even voiced their frustrations that his own transgressions were reflecting badly on the show, which had maintained a stellar, scandal-free existence for years.

Not only that, during Richards’ first episode taping, he wouldn’t allow former contestants (and popular guest hosts) Ken Jennings and Buzzy Cohen to remain in the studio to watch. Instead they were escorted to a green room to watch on a TV. Insiders say the champs, who are part of the Jeopardy! family, were told their presence was making Mike nervous. Per the Times:

“One of the people likened it to inviting Joe DiMaggio back to Yankee Stadium and then not letting him in the dugout.”

The incident apparently didn’t help Richards’ relationship with the staff. We’re guessing there were some pretty tense conversations at the end of the day leading to Friday morning’s announcement.

Sony also addressed the controversy, explaining Mike would continue to serve as executive producer despite his controversies:

“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.”

Inneresting. So, will they just give Mayim Bialik a promotion — or are they happy with the gig they gave her?? Maybe they’ll do a whole new hunt for a host? Maybe even give Alex Trebek‘s own personal choices a shot??

Hopefully the Jeopardy! team can make things right with fans by announcing someone actually worthy of being the late legend’s predecessor!

[Image via Adriana M. Barraza/WENN]