Sony ousts embattled ‘Jeopardy!’ producer Mike Richards

Sony Pictures Television on Tuesday fired Mike Richards as executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune,” a little more than one week after the embattled executive stepped down as the popular quiz show’s new host.

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“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, executive vice president for business and strategy at both shows, wrote in a memo to employees obtained by NBC News.

>> Related: Mike Richards steps down as ‘Jeopardy!’ host after podcast comments resurface

Richards, who was tapped to replace legendary “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek following his Nov. 8, 2020, death from pancreatic cancer, stepped down from the role on Aug. 20, only nine days after being offered permanent hosting duties. Richards’ resignation as host came after controversial comments regarding women, Jewish people and poor people he made on a podcast that aired in 2013 and 2014 resurfaced, Sony officials confirmed.

According to Variety, Michael Davies, executive producer of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire,” is slated to assume production duties in the interim.

>> Related: Mayim Bialik to temporarily host ‘Jeopardy!’ after Mike Richards’ resignation

Richards’ resignation also followed the “unearthing” of discrimination lawsuits filed in 2010 and 2011 by multiple models working on “Price Is Right,” while he was that show’s producer, the entertainment news outlet reported.

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