Mike Richards Fired
as ‘Jeopardy!’ And
‘Wheel of Fortune’
Executive Producer.
Mike Richards has been fired from his roles as executive producer for both ‘Jeopardy!’ and ‘Wheel of Fortune.’.
Sony executive Suzanne Prete announced the
decision to remove Richards in a memo to staff. .
I’m writing to let you know that Mike
will no longer be serving as EP of Wheel
and Jeopardy! effective immediately, Suzanne Prete, via 'Variety' .
According to Prete, the backlash Sony received
due to Richards' brief stint as ‘Jeopardy!’ host
caused “disruption and internal difficulties.”.
We had hoped that when Mike stepped
down from the host position at ‘Jeopardy!’
it would have minimized the disruption
and internal difficulties we have all
experienced these last few weeks …
That clearly has not happened, Suzanne Prete, via 'Variety'.
Just a week ago, Richards was forced to step down
as host due to resurfaced comments he made on
an eight-year-old podcast series. .
It was also unearthed that Richards was involved in
a number of discrimination lawsuits filed by multiple
‘Price Is Right’ models in 2010 and 2011.
At the time, Sony voiced their support for Richards
remaining as the show’s executive producer. .
They cited his experience, saying they were
hopeful he would continue to lead the team
with “professionalism and respect.”.
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, Suzanne Prete, via 'Variety'.
However, morale had reportedly been
extremely low on both show sets
in recent weeks, leading to Richards' firing.