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'Jeopardy!' fans clamor for executive producer to become full-time host after one show

As Jeopardy! searches for a long-term host to fill the shoes of the late, great Alex Trebek, according to some fans, that search is over. Following the six week stint of Jeopardy! legend Ken Jennings, the show found itself at a loss as other high-profile guest-hosts like CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers had to be postponed due to COVID-19. In stepped executive producer Mike Richards, who became an instant hit with fans. After guest-hosting his first show on Monday, fans were already clamoring for Richards to be given the role permanently, with more climbing on the bandwagon after his second show on Tuesday, which he opened with a beautiful shout out to Trebek.

“Working with Alex was even better than you could have imagined. His intensity for the show, his humor, his kindness, but most impressively, his love for his wife Jean and his kids. He was everything you could hope for and more,” Richards said. “He was an idol of mine, and I will work every day to try to live up to the example he set. So with that in mind, Sam, Aaron and Frances, good luck. This is for you, Alex.”

Video Transcript

MIKE RICHARDS: The great Johnny Gilbert. Thank you, sir. And welcome to "Jeopardy."

As Johnny said, I'm Mike Richards, the executive producer of jeopardy. And I'm hosting today and for the next two weeks to keep the greatest quiz show in the world going.

KYLIE MAR: Following the departure of Jeopardy legend Ken Jennings as guest host of the show, executive producer Mike Richards stepped in to fill the shoes of the late great Alex Trebek. "Jeopardy" has several guest hosts lined up, like CNN's Anderson Cooper and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers. But Richards explained that the guest hosts had to be postponed.

MIKE RICHARDS: We have some amazing guest hosts coming that I can't wait for you to see. But with the COVID outbreak here in LA, folks were understandably a little reticent to shoot.

KYLIE MAR: "Jeopardy" fans immediately took a liking to Richards. One viewer tweeted, I hope "Jeopardy" puts Mike Richards permanently in the host chair. He was excellent. While another wrote, I think "Jeopardy" can stop looking for Alex Trebek's replacement, adding, Mike Richards is a fox. And those fans had a point, as Richards fit seamlessly into his interim role.

MIKE RICHARDS: So as the producer, my job is to quite literally live the mantra the show must go on. So let's do what Alex did 8,244 times. Let's play "Jeopardy" and prove that nothing can stop this show.

KYLIE MAR: And Richards opened his second show as guest host on Tuesday with a shout out to Trebek.

MIKE RICHARDS: He was everything you could hope for and more. He was an idol of mine. And I will work every day to try to live up to the example he set. So with that in mind, Sam, Aaron, and Francis, good luck. This is for you, Alex.