Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy! productions.

Executive producer Mike Richards reportedly front-runner to become permanent 'Jeopardy!' host

By Megan Armstrong | Last updated 8/5/21

The new Jeopardy! host might have been in the building all along.

According to Variety, Mike Richards and Sony Pictures Television are "in advanced negotiations" to make the Jeopardy! executive producer the late Alex Trebek's permanent successor.

Trebek, the iconic face of the syndicated trivia series, died Nov. 8, 2020, at 80 years old—almost exactly 18 months after he publicly announced his stage 4 pancreatic cancer diagnosis:

Trebek had been the host of Jeopardy! since 1984, and his final episode posthumously aired in January. The rest of Season 37 was handled by a series of guest hosts, beginning with the show's all-time winner Ken Jennings and concluding with Joe Buck next week. Richards' stint as guest host ran from Feb. 22 to March 5, 2021.

"Richards, who joined the show just last year as executive producer, impressed Sony Pictures brass with his command of the fast-paced game and easy on-air manner," Variety relayed. "A Sony Pictures spokesman said discussions were ongoing with several potential candidates. He would not comment specifically on Richards' status. A source close to the situation cautioned that there’s no certainty that the sides will close a deal and that other candidates remain in the mix, although Richards is clearly the front-runner."

Fan-favorite LeVar Burton, who fulfilled his dream of hosting Jeopardy! at the end of July, tweeted his blessing should Richards prove to be the final choice.

More must-reads: