Will You Still Tune in for ‘Jeopardy!’ With Mike Richards Hosting? (POLL)
Jeopardy! has had its fair share of ups and downs over the past few months following the death of its longtime host, the late great Alex Trebek.
The biggest hurdle right now is getting through the first week of Season 38, which features former executive producer and short-lived permanent host Mike Richards. Before he departed the show following scandals related to past comments and actions, Richards had taped a full week of episodes, but considering the gameplay, re-taping the installments wasn’t really an option.

(Credit: Jeopardy!, Inc.)
Plus, with record-setting champ Matt Amodio returning to pick up his winning streak, cutting progress for the sake of keeping Richards off air would be a disservice to the players and game. So, fans are being given the choice to tune in or hold out until the show picks up with guest hosts, like returning star Mayim Bialik, who will step in temporarily for the syndicated program and continue to hold her gig as Jeopardy!‘s primetime host.
There were certainly mixed reactions following the Season 38 premiere as fans weighed in on the predicament. Some noted how awkward it was to watch knowing that Richards’ imminent exit looms.
Prerecorded Jeopardy episode hosted by Mike Richards #awkward
— Julia Pananon Weeks 📸 #APPHOTOARCHIVE (@julialweeks) September 13, 2021
They have edited Mike Richards out in all the in between scenes on #jeopardy. Only shown when absolutely needed. I’m laughing so hard.
— Erica (@wanderlustadv) September 13, 2021
It was really odd seeing Mike Richards on @Jeopardy last night especially when one of the categories was “First Day on the Job” pic.twitter.com/uW6HPjB3Sx
— Nick Danger (@GCV_ArtDirector) September 14, 2021
Some were confused about the concept of pre-taped episodes, believing that Richards’ departure from Jeopardy! wasn’t actually true.
That’s it! Mike Richards is the host??
WHAT’S GOING ON HERE!!! 😶🌫️😶🌫️😶🌫️😶🌫️😱😱😱#Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/BKojwbT81g
— Marco Spinelli (@Junior_1994_) September 13, 2021
Others shared their distaste for Richards’ onscreen presence by sharing plans to sit the week out or comment on his continued presence.
Turned on Jeopardy, saw Mike Richards was hosting, turned off Jeopardy.
There’s always next week.
— Stephen Sobek (@stephen_sobek) September 13, 2021
two thumbs down for mike richards hosting jeopardy all week
— Emma-Cate Rapose (@emmacate34) September 13, 2021
How do you feel about the situation? Let us know if you’ll be tuning in for Mike Richards’ last batch of episodes or not in the reader poll, below.
Jeopardy!, Weeknights, Check your local listings
Conversation23 Comments
Please read the TV Insider Community Guidelines.
Comments are closed on this story.
-
P
Mike was and is my choice all along.
14
-
P
My husband and I have watched Jeopardy for decades. We are avid fans and played the home games for years, too. We loved Mike Richards as the host. He was the best. All of the other celebrity hosts paled in comparison. We celebrated when he finally was named the host. I feel he was treated unjustly. I think if you want to go into all of the possible candidates you can find some dirt. No one is perfect. He was perfect fir that job. If they name the wrong host because of pressure they will lose us as viewers and a lot of others.
8
-
G
It's not about him. Its about the contestants. It's not their fault they got him as host and skipping the episodes is not fair for them
9 1
-
O
I wish he could be the new permanent host. He is great.
6
-
R
He doesn't faze me so, yes I'll watch. However, I'll use closed captioning when Mayim hosts.
6
-
O
Really like Mike
5
-
A
Loved hearing Johnny Gilbert say, "From the Alex Trebek Stage, this...is...Jeopardy!"
5
-
O
It’s not about the host. Alex insisted on being the “host” and not the “star” of Jeopardy! and so Mike’s outstanding ability to host the show is the question, not the Let’s Cancel Mike culture.
5
-
R
Exactly! People seem to forget that Jeopardy was never about the host...it's about the game! If people want to whine about it, then don't watch...it doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure that out!🙄
1
-
-
O
I think he’s a great host and I will never turn off Jeopardy because he’s hosting.
4
-
B
We enjoy watching the contestants and how smart some people really are.
4
-
C
I like him. Think if you look at everyone’s background, someone will find something to criticize. I’m no looking forward to Maya, or whatever her name is!!
3
-
G
Mike Richards is the only reason I will watch at this point.
The other people have ruined the show.
I feel so bad for Alex Trebek and his family!
Mike Richards was my pick all along. I will not watch if he leaves!
People complaining about crap that happened years ago is childish!
How many can say they have never said a negative thing about someone else in their lifetime ? #NONE
So I cannot be a teacher now, because of something I said in Kindergarten?
#GrowUp
2
-
R
I think they might have not shown the episodes but for Amodio. His record setting performance makes it impossible for them NOT to show those shows. Especially if he wins them all, as the rumors seem to indicate he did. You just can't pick it up next week and say "by the way, he did win those shows but we can't show them to you." so they are really kind of stuck
2
-
G
It would’ve also been REALLY awkward if Matt lost in one of the episodes where Mike was hosting and they decided not to show his episodes, like, “Hey, I know we had this guy who’s been winning a lot of money, but he lost, so his streak ended. We can’t show it to you because Mike Richards was hosting it, so you just have to take our word for it.”
2
-
-
C
The show really has lost all it's entertainment value for me. Alex should have named a new host before - he had time to do just that.
2 1
-
O
Alex had no voice in the host selection. He had a couple of suggestions which were ignored. He said publicly he was definitely not in on the choice of host.
1
-
-
C
Hear hear
-
O
I think either Buzzy or Mike should have the host job.
-
G
I AM ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE NEXT HOST AFTER RICHARDS.SHE DID LOUSY HER FIRST TIME. I WILL STOP WATCHING WHEN SHE HOSTS.
1 1
-
O
bye bye Jeopardy! Will never watch again, since it is turning into a political hack.
#RipAlex.
1
-
C
I think that Richards was in a position of power as a Producer, and he used his position to be crude, rude (AND offensive) to women and men probably; and if the truth were known, he could have been a little like Epstein. ME TOO, ladies, remember? If you have never had a supervisor or "boss" that was "inappropriate," you are very lucky. (We still think that
touching, grabbing, or forcing you against the wall is inappropriate, right?) Oh Lord I just remembered that 'getting too close,' even in a crowded elevator is now inappropriate, right ladies? Depends on where the gentleman decides to place his hands and arms.
3
-
J
I'll only skim the episodes while Matt is champion.
3
