Mike Richards, the executive producer of “Jeopardy!” is in advanced negotiations to become the permanent host of the iconic syndicated game show, according to a report.
Richards has been negotiating with Sony Pictures Television to take over the reins of the popular quiz show that had been held by the late Alex Trebek for 36 seasons, Variety reported. Trebek died at the age of 80 in November 2020 after battling pancreatic cancer.
If Richards, who joined the show as executive producer last year, is selected, he would beat out a group of temporary guest hosts who were vying to host the show.
#Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards is in advanced negotiations with Sony Pictures Television to become permanent host of the venerable quiz show https://t.co/ck18LRO5eQ
— Variety (@Variety) August 5, 2021
Other guest hosts since the final Trebek episodes aired in January 2021 include Mayim Bialik, Anderson Cooper, Katie Couric, Bill Whitaker, Dr. Mehmet Oz, Ken Jennings, George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, LeVar Burton, Savannah Guthrie, Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Aaron Rodgers and former contestant Buzzy Cohen.
A Sony Pictures spokesperson said discussions were “ongoing” with several candidates, Variety reported.
Richards previously hosted the series “Divided” and “The Pyramid,” according to the website. He has also hosted reality shows such as “High School Reunion” and “Beauty and the Geek.”
As a producer, he joined “The Price is Right” in 2008 as a co-executive producer and helped revive “Let’s Make a Deal” for CBS in 2009, Variety reported. He has produced more than 4,000 hours of game shows during his career.
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