Past discrimination allegations against Jeopardy host frontman Mike Richards resurface

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Past allegations of discrimination have resurfaced regarding Jeopardy executive producer Mike Richards, who is also the frontrunner to succeed as the show’s new permanent host, according to a report released this week by Variety. Richards, who hosted the beloved quiz show for two weeks starting in late February, was named in multiple discrimination lawsuits during his ten-year tenure as executive producer of The Price Is Right.

Richards became executive producer of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune after the show’s longtime EP Harry Friedman stepped down in 2020. Prior to that, he had executive produced Let’s Make a Deal and The Price Is Right afterwards. trying to replace Bob Barker, longtime Price host. , and hosted the CW Beauty and the Geek reality show from 2006 to 2008 in addition to several short-term accommodation concerts.

This year, Richards was Jeopardy’s second guest host after the death of beloved host Alex Trebek, following former champion Ken Jennings. According to Variety, Richards “wowed the brass at Sony Pictures with his quick playing mastery and easy on-air manner.” His run also scored higher than any other guest host besides Jennings, although that may have more to do with when Richards was the host than anything else.

Carol Kaelson / Jeopardy Productions Mike Richards on “Jeopardy”

EW was unable to confirm Variety’s report on Richards’ favorite status, which Jeopardy studio Sony Pictures Entertainment declined to comment on. (Discussions are reportedly underway with several potential hosts.) Nonetheless, audience reaction to Richards’ possibility as the show’s new host has been swift and, at least on social media, overwhelmingly negative. Some users have laughed at Richards’ anonymity to guest hosts such as LeVar Burton, Mayim Bialik and Aaron Rodgers (“Enough about the brand that everyone will say ‘Who is Mike Richards?'” Tweeted the writer and artist Nick Ross), and others have commented on Richards’ irony, as executive producer of Jeopardy, apparently taking on the role of host. Many have compared him to Dick Cheney, who led the search for vice president for George W. Bush before he landed the job himself, and one EW commentator remarked: himself? “

The story continues

To be fair, it’s unclear what role Richards played in selecting Jeopardy’s new host. But on a more serious note, a discussion of Richards’ legal history began to emerge online in the wake of Variety’s report. In 2010, The Price Is Right model Brandi Cochran sued CBS and the producer of the show FremantleMedia, alleging in her complaint that Richards and other producers discriminated against her because of her pregnancy.

Cochran’s trial claimed Richards “hadn’t spoken to her as often as before” and had treated her callously when he learned she was pregnant, and that she “had been booked to work less often. “after announcing that she was pregnant before she was finally fired. (The complaint also alleged that “Richards decided that the models’ skirts should be shorter and said he liked the models to look like they were going out on a date” and “at his suggestion, the models wore bikinis on the show more frequently. “) According to court documents, Richards claimed that Cochran was simply not rehired after her maternity leave because the show changed the model lineup. Cochran won the lawsuit in 2012 and won over $ 7 million in damages, but the decision was overturned the following year and the case was ultimately settled.

Carol Kaelson / Jeopardy Productions Mike Richards guest ‘Jeopardy’

Another Price Is Right model, Lanisha Cole, sued Fremantle, Richards and another producer of the series in 2011, alleging sexual harassment and wrongful dismissal. Cole’s complaint alleged that Richards “had begun to treat [Cole] differently “than the other models in the series” around December 2009, “refusing to speak to her directly. The lawsuit claimed that Richards” had formed a close, personal and intimate relationship “with another model and” had engaged in a inappropriate favoritism as a result. Richards was subsequently dismissed as a defendant, and the lawsuit was settled in 2013.

Sony declined to comment on the allegations. Richards could not be reached for comment.

The resurfaced allegations only added to the negative buzz surrounding Richards potentially in charge of the hosting job. It should be noted, however, that despite his vocal detractors, Richards has performed well in the polls on who should reprise the show, generally ranking in the top five picks.

Prior to Variety’s report, it was widely believed that Jennings, whose long history with Jeopardy dates back to her 74-game winning streak in 2004 (still the longest streak in series history), was the frontrunner for the post. . A handful of other guest hosts, including Rodgers and Burton, have also expressed interest in permanent accommodation. Burton, who amassed tremendous support from fans online by endorsing his candidacy for the concert, thanked those supporters in a tweet on Thursday.

“I have said several times over the past few weeks that no matter what the outcome, I won,” he wrote. “The outpouring of love and support from family, friends and fans has been amazing! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe it is, I am truly blessed beyond all measure.”

Jeopardy’s current season will end next week, with Fox sports host Joe Buck. The new permanent host is expected to be announced shortly thereafter.

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