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“Danger!” has been on television since 1984 and has rarely seen the scandal in the decades since.
However, the history of the series was recently marred by controversy when the search for a replacement for the late host Alex Trebek led the series to hire executive producer Mike Richards before he was ultimately ousted from the role.
The saga is not quite over yet, because “Jeopardy!” is still looking for someone to serve as a permanent host now that Richards’ short tenure of just five episodes has ended.
From Trebek’s tragic death to today, here’s a timeline of the behind-the-scenes drama of “Jeopardy!”
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Trebek dies (November 8, 2020)
Alex Trebek, best known as the longtime host of the popular “Jeopardy!” Game show, died at the age of 80 in November after a long battle with pancreatic cancer.
(Eric McCandless / ABC via Getty Images)
After a multi-year battle with pancreatic cancer, Trebek passed away on November 8, 2020.
A beloved element of American entertainment, the star’s passing devastated those involved in the television industry, as well as fans of the show, as he was still the host of the popular game show.
Immediately after his death, questions arose as to how the series would evolve.
The last episode of Trebek (January 8, 2021)
Some game shows film in advance and Trebek had recorded episodes several months before his death.
Its final episode aired in early January 2021, and although the show announced plans to have the hosts replaced until a replacement is named, the show’s future was unclear.
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A week later, on January 11, 2021, the famous “Jeopardy!” champion Ken Jennings was the first of several guest hosts.
Mike Richards first episode (February 22, 2021)
Mike Richards was the second person to host “Jeopardy! after Trebek’s death.
(Photo by Willy Sanjuan / Invision / AP, on file)
After a long stay in Jennings’ guest accommodation, it was time to move on and allow someone else to take the wheel.
The first was Richards, who worked as an executive producer on both “Jeopardy!” and “The Wheel of Fortune”.
More guest guests (Mar-Sep 2021)
In the coming months, the team behind “Jeopardy!” had the difficult task of finding a replacement for one of television’s most beloved icons.
In an effort to save time – and perhaps to audition potential candidates – the show chose to employ guest hosts to take over during their research. Besides Jennings and Richards, several other celebrities and industry figures have served as host.
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Katie Couric followed Richards, while stars like Aaron Rodgers, LeVar Burton, Joe Buck, Robin Roberts, Mayim Bialik and many more took turns at the helm.
The announcement (August 11, 2021)
‘Danger!’ initially announced that Richards would host the show in prime time while Mayim Bialik would host special spinoff events.
(Getty Images)
After searching for months, “Jeopardy!” announced that they had finally found Trebek’s permanent replacements.
The show announced that Richards will be covering the main show while Bialik will host special spin-off events such as “Jeopardy! National College Championship”.
Despite the show’s confidence in Richards, his casting has been dragged online by fans and questions about the casting process have arisen as Richards is said to have been made aware of parts of it. Sony, the studio behind the series, maintained that his role as a producer had nothing to do with his casting.
Bialik was largely successful in avoiding the backlash.
Scandals erupt (mid-August 2021)
Shortly after her casting was announced, several scandals in Richards’ past surfaced.
Among them were a handful of comments he had made on a podcast several years earlier that were deemed sexist. He was also previously named a defendant in multiple discrimination lawsuits filed during his 10-year career as executive producer of “The Price Is Right,” by Variety.
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Such scandals have caused an uproar among fans of the series, as well as those invested in the search for a new host.
Richards resigns (August 20)
A few days after the announcement of his casting, Richards resigned from his new role as host.
When announcing his departure, Richards said his past had become a “distraction” for fans and said staying as the host was “not the right move for the series.”
The quick turnaround surprised those watching the situation, especially since it seemed “Jeopardy!” Was back to square one as they resumed the search for a permanent host.
Bialik is back (August 23, 2021)
Mayim Bialik will temporarily replace as host of ‘Jeopardy!’ now that Richards is out.
(Photo by FOX via Getty Images)
“Danger!” found themselves in a tough spot again after Richards only shot five episodes as host before stepping down.
Fortunately, the studio turned to Bialik for help, and she agreed to be the guest host for a while while the executives hatched a game plan to find a new host.
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Richards is not fully released (August 25, 2021)
After announcing that he would not be hosting “Jeopardy!” Questions arose regarding Richards’ position as executive producer of the series.
Such questions were answered in an August 25, 2020 New York Times article, in which it was reported that Sony’s top television official Ravi Ahuja had confirmed to his colleagues that Richards would not lose his backstage work.
It was also revealed that Richards would undergo sensitivity training.
Richards is completely out after all (August 31, 2021)
Richards ended up losing his Emmy-winning gig as executive producer of “Jeopardy!” as well as the host.
(Daytime Emmy Awards 2021 via Getty Images)
When the tension and controversy over Richards’ involvement with “Jeopardy!” did not dissipate after his resignation as host, the decision was made to end his relationship with Sony entirely.
On August 31, 2021, it was announced that Richards would no longer be working as an executive producer on “Jeopardy!” or “Wheel of Fortune”.
“We were hoping that when Mike stepped down as host at Jeopardy! It would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties that we have all experienced in recent weeks,” a note from Sony told staff at the time. “This clearly did not happen.”
Richards term as host (Sept. 13-17, 2021)
Before stepping down as host, Richards shot five episodes of “Jeopardy!” – about a day’s work.
Her first episode as a permanent host aired on September 13, and fans took to Twitter to express their unease at the situation.
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His last episode as a host aired on September 17, while the last episode that saw him serve as an executive producer aired on September 20.
Jennings is back (September 16)
‘Danger!’ Champion Ken Jennings will assist Bialik with his hosting duties as the search for a replacement for the penamant continues.
(Photo by VALERIE MACON / AFP via Getty Images)
As the fall TV season approached with lineup that included Bialik’s sitcom “Call Me Kat”, it was clear that “Jeopardy!” would need to call in a backup to help with the hosting tasks.
On September 16, the show announced that Jennings would return again to accompany the concert and part ways with the actress when their schedules allow.
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Meanwhile, the search for a third permanent host is undoubtedly underway, although reports suggest Bialik and “Jeopardy!” have a mutual interest in her taking over full-time.
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