‘Jeopardy!’ Supporters Respond to Hottest Twist: ‘Who Is Mike Richards?’

The man in charge of engineering a productive “Jeopardy!” succession could have identified the excellent applicant: himself.

At the very least, that is what Assortment magazine is reporting, based mostly on nameless sources: Mike Richards, the executive producer of the quiz display, is explained to be in highly developed negotiations to grow to be the long-lasting host.

A lot of followers reacted to the report with surprise and disappointment. And, just like on the display, many of their responses arrived in the kind of a problem. “Pretty on manufacturer that anyone will be saying ‘Who is Mike Richards?’” Nick Ross, an artist and humor author, tweeted.

Some even joked that Mr. Richards experienced pulled a Dick Cheney transfer, a reference to how Mr. Cheney, charged with vetting probable operating mates for George W. Bush in 2000, received the position himself.

The “Jeopardy!” choice has taken a lot more time than that prolonged-in the past episode in countrywide politics. The show’s beloved host of 37 decades, Alex Trebek, died in November of pancreatic most cancers at age 80.

For 8 months, Mr. Richards and the match-clearly show workers have been screening out a collection of guest hosts, with major contenders including the Inexperienced Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers the former “Jeopardy!” winner Ken Jennings, who won 74 consecutive video games the actress and writer Mayim Bialik and the actor LeVar Burton, who has a legion of on the internet supporters rooting for him.

The New York Occasions was not able to confirm the Variety report. Mr. Richards declined to remark. A spokeswoman for Sony Photos Entertainment, which produces the clearly show, would say only that discussions with potential hosts have been ongoing.

She included that the monthslong process of picking a host was a “data-driven process” that was having into account the sights of supporters and focus teams.

As speculation mounted in latest months above who would replace Mr. Trebek, probably Mr. Richards understood anything the relaxation of the entire world did not. In a January job interview with The Occasions, he explained there would be “pressure and stress” on whoever was preferred. “Replacing a legend is heading to be nerve-racking,” he reported. “If you are not anxious then you are not shelling out notice.”

Even with all the on the net snark, Mr. Richards is no stranger to game-demonstrate audiences, together with filling in as a “Jeopardy!” host.

The previous host of the actuality display “Beauty and the Geek,” he has witnessed a combination of on- and off-digicam get the job done in his tv career. When Bob Barker left “The Price tag Is Right” following 35 a long time, Mr. Richards tried out for the task but did not get it.

He earlier explained to The Moments that the essential to successful new hosts was locating individuals who could engage in to their possess strengths instead than mimicking their predecessors.

He said that the viewers experienced required some time to adjust to ‘Jeopardy!’ devoid of Mr. Trebek as host — and that he desired time, also.

“Emotionally,” he stated, “I am not ready for that.”

In modern months, Mr. Richards experienced been testing out how audiences responded to diverse guest hosts, which includes Mr. Burton, the CNN journalist Anderson Cooper and the veteran Tv set journalist Katie Couric.

Some followers have been plainly hoping this would be a instant to include far more diversity to the planet of Tv quiz shows.

One particular of these fans was Mr. Burton. On Thursday, he thanked his supporters on Twitter.

“I have claimed many instances over these earlier weeks that no subject the outcome, I’ve won,” he claimed. “The outpouring of enjoy and assist from loved ones, mates, and enthusiasts alike has been incredible!”

In an interview with The New York Occasions Magazine this 12 months, he mentioned he preferred the career badly and had viewed the show far more or considerably less every night time for a long time.

“I feel like this is what I’m meant to do,” he said. “‘Jeopardy!’ is a cultural touchstone, and for a Black man to occupy that podium is significant.”

Julia Jacobs contributed reporting.