Internet split as ex-'Jeopardy!' producer Mike Richards reveals he was fired a day after hosting the show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Mike Richards, the former ‘Jeopardy!’ producer who was hired to replace Alex Trebek, was fired after just one day on the job in 2021.

Richards, once at the pinnacle of game show hosting in August 2021, experienced his career collapse as swiftly as it had ascended.

Mike Richards opened up about his whirlwind experience hosting 'Jeopardy!' for a day

Now, nearly three years later, Richards is opening up about his experience.

At the time after months of guest co-hosts, the beloved CBS program announced in August 2021 that Richards would be the permanent host.

However, Richards stepped down from the podium after hosting 'Jeopardy!' just for “one day,” following backlash for sexist comments he made in the past and for taking on the hosting gig while already being an executive producer of the show.

Richards, having signed an overall development deal with Sony in 2019, took on the role of executive producer for 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' in May 2020.

“Everyone was so angry because it looked like I had gone into a room and picked myself,” Richards told People. 

Shortly after his first day on the job, the anti-defamation league called for an investigation into Richards for his past controversies that were reported by The Ringer.

He had stirred controversy after clips of him making stereotypical and demeaning comments toward Asians, Jews, and women surfaced from his podcast 'The Randumb Show' in 2014, according to Fox News.

Richards had then apologized for the insensitive comments after the outlet’s report was published, but the damage was done. He ultimately parted ways with the show.

Mike Richards on the lasting effect of getting canceled due to 2014's controversy 

Since leaving the show as both host and executive producer, Richards told People that he’s spent time “reflecting” on the “firestorm that engulfed my family.”

But the former 'Million Dollar Pyramid' host says he’s “come to terms with being canceled.”

“Why I am talking now is that I feel like I can be a force for good as far as having open, honest conversations,” he said.

“We can all disagree about a lot of things. We can disagree about politics, we can disagree about who hosts Jeopardy!" he said.

"We can disagree about liking a final Jeopardy! clue. And we should. But I felt like there was a this rush to judgment, and a lot of people got joy in saying, ‘I got you,’” he continued. 

Internet has mixed reactions with some calling Mike Richard's treatment as 'unfair'

Shortly after stepping down, it was announced that Richards would no longer serve as an executive producer on either 'Jeopardy!' or 'Wheel of Fortune'.

Despite the controversy, some fans expressed their support for Richards.

“It was so unfair he was the perfect host I love Mike Richards!!” commented a fan on Instagram.

"I thought Mike was perfect. I also stopped watching when they took him off," wrote one more. 

"Mike Richards was unfairly demonized for doing something most anyone else would have done in his shoes," one more wrote, adding, "I’m not saying he’s perfect, but Jeopardy and especially Wheel needed a major shakeup after Harry put those shows on autopilot for decades."

"I hope Mike learned some lessons and goes back to producing game shows. He’s really good at it," the user added.

However, not everyone was pleased with Richard's version as one Instagram user commented, "No one wants to hear from him or his lies. This guy has been nothing but trouble since the 2000s."

The user further added, "He was an executive producer of the primetime & syndicated versions of @nbcweakestlink. He made the latter exactly like his offensive podcast. The contestants behaved like they belonged in an insane asylum." 

On X (formerly Twitter), a user wrote, "That must have been a really tough situation for him. I can understand how he would feel victimized after being fired so soon after starting his hosting role. It's never easy to deal with unexpected changes in our professional lives."

One more X user wrote, "It's unfortunate that he felt that way, but it's important to prioritize accountability and fairness in such situations."

Another wrote, "What a surprise! A Hollywood liberal feeling victimized. Does a liberal feel any other way about ANYTHING?"

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