'Jeopardy!' has reportedly found its new host 9 months after Alex Trebek's death, and it's not who fans expected - meet Mike Richards
Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images
- "Jeopardy!" executive producer Mike Richards reportedly might be the next permanent host.
- Variety reports that Richards is in "advanced negotiations," while Sony says there are several candidates.
- The news surprised some fans who felt LeVar Burton deserved the role.
- Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.
The search for the new host of "Jeopardy!" may be coming to a close. Variety is reporting that the game show's executive producer Mike Richards is in "advanced negotiations" to take over the hosting role.
Alex Trebek, the show's host for 36 years, died in November 2020. When "Jeopardy!" returned to air, Sony solicited a series of celebrity guest hosts - including Robin Roberts, Anderson Cooper and LeVar Burton.
Some fans, however, were not happy with the news of Mike Richards as a potential new host - believing it should be LeVar Burton who earned the permanent host spot. At least a quarter-million fans signed a petition asking Sony to make the former "Reading Rainbow" host the next face of "Jeopardy!"
According to Variety, Richards joined the game show as an executive producer "just last year." A spokesman for Sony Pictures "said discussions were ongoing with several potential candidates."
Variety's report continued, saying the spokesman "would not comment specifically on Richards' status."
Sony did not immediately return Insider's request for comment.
On Wednesday night, following the reports of Richards' potential tapping as host, people expressed disbelief and disappointment on Twitter.
-Charlotte Clymer ????️???? (@cmclymer) August 4, 2021
-Fretty Boop (Varys Is Still Underrated) (@i_miss_the_days) August 4, 2021
-Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) August 4, 2021
-Humble Canuck DM #EveryChildMatters (@Nestene) August 4, 2021
-. (@MsPackyetti) August 5, 2021
Burton seemingly responded to the news on Thursday morning.
"I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I've won," Burton wrote on Twitter. "The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure."
-LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 5, 2021
Current guest host David Faber will continue to host until August 6, with Joe Buck following from August 9 to 13. "Jeopardy!" airs weekdays at 7:30 p.m. ET.