Aug. 31 (UPI) — Mike Richards will no longer executive produce Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune.
Richards, 46, has exited the series after stepping down as Jeopardy! host earlier this month following controversy over his past remarks.
Suzanne Prete, EVP of business and strategy for Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, announced the news in a message to the show’s crew Tuesday, The Hollywood Reporter said.
“We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimized the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks. That clearly has not happened,” Prete wrote.
Prete said Embassy Row’s Michael Davis will assist with production on an interim basis. Prete said she and Davis will work with the team to ensure that production on Jeopardy! remains on schedule.
Deadline confirmed Richards’ exit and said Richards apologized to the staff and crew for his past comments during a recent meeting.
Richards was announced as the new host of Jeopardy! this month following longtime host Alex Trebek’s death in November. Entertainment Weekly previously said Richards taped one week’s worth of episodes before stepping down as host.
Mayim Bialik was announced alongside Richards to host new Jeopardy! primetime specials and a potential spinoff series. She was confirmed last week as the first Jeopardy! guest host following Richards’ departure.