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John Oliverisn’t quite on board withJeopardy!executive producerMike RichardssucceedingAlex Trebekas the show’s new host.
During Sunday’s episode ofLast Week Tonight with John Oliver, Oliver took a dig at Richards after playing a clip of angry parents in Tennessee confronting a school board member during a segment about mask mandates.
In the video, one man repeatedly shouted at the individual supporting mask mandates: “We know who you are!”
“Holy s—!” reacted Oliver, 44. “It is genuinely hard to imagine a five-word phrase less welcome than ‘We know who you are,’ aside from, obviously, ‘newJeopardy!host Mike Richards.'”
HBO
Sony Pictures Televisionannouncedlast week that Richards, 46, had been selected as the long-running game show’s next permanent host, about nine months after Trebek’s death.Mayim Bialik, 45, will additionally hostJeopardy!primetime and spinoff series, including the newly-announcedJeopardy! National College Championship.
Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios and Corporate Development for Sony Pictures, said in a statement that a “tremendous amount of work and deliberation” went into the decision.
“A senior group of Sony Pictures Television executives pored over footage from every episode, reviewed research from multiple panels and focus groups, and got valuable input from our key partners andJeopardy!viewers,” Ahuja continued. “We knew early on that we wanted to divide the hosting responsibilities and it became very clear that Mike and Mayim were the undeniable choices. They were both at the top of our research and analysis. Mike is a unique talent, at ease behind the podium and a double threat as producer and host. Mayim has a wonderful energy, an innate sense of the game, and an authentic curiosity that naturally represents theJeopardy!brand.”
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Richards’ nomination hasreceived mixed reactions fromJeopardy!viewers, with some expressing disappointment thatReading RainbowhostLeVar Burtonwas not chosen.
Richards also made headlines in the days leading up to the announcement. Amid reports that he was in the running to be named the nextJeopardy!host,allegations of discriminationfrom when he worked onThe Price Is Rightsurfaced.
In a statement after the news was announced, Richards said he was “deeply honored” to have landed the coveted position.
“Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined being chosen to step into a role of this magnitude,” he said. “I am incredibly humbled to step behind the lectern and will work tirelessly to make sure our brilliant contestants shine in each and every episode.”
The 38th season ofJeopardy!, with Richards as host, is set to premiere Sep. 13.
source: people.com
