Mike Richards in Negotiations to Become New ‘Jeopardy!’ Host

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If you’re not sure who that is, don’t worry, you’re not alone.

Since the tragic passing of its longtime host Alex Trebek last year, Sony Pictures Television has been rolling through a massive roster of guest hosts for Jeopardy! in search of a new permanent host. Just last week, the oft-requested LeVar Burton finally got his shot on the podium, and my mother quite enjoyed Savannah Guthrie’s stint last month. However, it seems there’s a particular standout candidate that has some extra wind behind them: Mike Richards. What’s that? “Who’s Mike Richards?” Well, you know, he’s… the guy. That did… the thing.

Sarcasm aside, Richards is actually the executive producer of Jeopardy!, and has been since last year. Prior to that, he was the host of Beauty And The Geek, The Pyramid, and Divided, as well as a producer on Let’s Make A Deal, Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, and The Price is Right. He did have a brief stint as one of the guest hosts on Jeopardy!, though in the words of AV Club‘s Alex McLevy, his time on the podium could be likened to a “decent-enough substitute teacher.”

According to spokespeople of Sony Pictures, Richards isn’t a sure thing for Trebek’s replacement, as several other candidates are being reviewed. That said, he is currently the front runner, and is further along in his network negotiations than the other candidates.

Jeopardy! fans on Twitter have expressed some distaste with Richards’ candidacy, saying that, considering his role as executive producer, his selection as host would effectively be him awarding the position to himself.

“This guy might be the perfect pick because he’s already got everyone responding ‘Who is Mike Richards?'” writes former Colbert Report writer Frank Lesser.

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