Jeopardy! Post-Alex Discussion Post

[Prizes]

As expected. It also gives a fascinating example to the typically (if understandable) dinosaur practice of modern/new hired game show host with game show experience as credentials. As CU noted, by the Nielsen numbers, the right choice. Easily the best ratings and eyes by the GP.

Where do I collect my winnings? 

The online casino Bovada had a betslip on this; Richards was anywhere from +800 to +1000. That means if you bet $100 you’d have won $800 or $1,000 respectively, plus return of your initial bet.

[SeaBreeze341]

I’ll be honest, if it wasn’t going to be Ken Jennings, I’m glad it’s Mike Richards.  I can’t speak for anyone else, and there will be varying opinions elsewhere about Alex Trebek’s successor.  However, there’s no way I’m “boycotting” Jeopardy!  Sony and TPTB do not care whether I pass on watching the show.  It’ll be fine, and Jeopardy will live on without me and when I’m gone.  The thrill of watching might decrease a tad since it’s not Alex, but that would’ve been the case with Ken.


Since I mentioned the Packers QB in an earlier post, I feel that I have to follow up on my thoughts with the Green Bay legend.  I've heard a lot from sports media saying Aaron Rodgers would be the outright best choice.  That doesn't count for me.  I thought he was good, but a lot of those folks aren't that bright & knowledgeable when it comes to the gameshow world. 

Honestly, I would have been a bit unhappy if the choices had come down to Aaron & Mike, but then they went with Rodgers over Mike.

Say what you will about Ken Jennings.  There are a number of people (not here AFAIK) that hate the guy.  If you know me, you'd know that I couldn't care less about how he may or may not have rubbed people the wrong way.  One side is all-in for Mr. Jennings, and the other side will die before watching the show with him there.  Man, that middle section is super perfect for me.  Though I can see it both ways.


Finally, I don’t know whether Jennings turned down the offer or was not chosen by Sony (or both).  TBH, at first I was like, “Oh Man!  They’re going with Mike over Ken!”  Not a shocker because an obvious choice almost never gets the position.  I was a little sad since Ken’s humor seems more natural than Mike’s.  That just my opinion.  As of now, I’m with CU and Prizes.  And whomever else.  I think this is a great pick.  Not who I wanted to see, but I feel that Richards will do very good.  As mentioned, he has the experience.  Plus, I believe he feel short in another legendary gameshow as a successor to another GS legend, so this would be somewhat redeeming

[imhomerjay]

It’s possible Jennings doesn’t want the gig and all it entails, also.

[BillyGr]

Where do I collect my winnings? 

Probably nowhere yet, since the posting only says serious consideration, not definitely?

[C8]

I still feel like there's a lingering, irrational anti-Mike sentiment here since he had the misfortune to be the one to take over for the Dob after his tenure at TPiR ended.

I don't think Mike would have been my first pick, but he was in the upper echelons. He was memorable and was able to step in and GO without much preparation or time. He earned this fair and square if it turns out to be him.

[imhomerjay]

Oh there is an irrational sentiment.

[Reloaden]

A small part of me was hoping they was auditioning hosts to take over. I feel like Mike was already picked as a host and they were using the guest hosts to keep the show in the news and as a stunt to announce Mike as a host. Ken said early on he wasn't interested in the job. The guest hosts was interesting i could see some of them hosting a game show in the future a lot better then the out of work actors/comedians  hosting game shows today.



I saw people were upset about Lavar not getting the gig, but his week he was terrible.

[kishy214]

A small part of me was hoping they was auditioning hosts to take over. I feel like Mike was already picked as a host and they were using the guest hosts to keep the show in the news and as a stunt to announce Mike as a host. Ken said early on he wasn't interested in the job. The guest hosts was interesting i could see some of them hosting a game show in the future a lot better then the out of work actors/comedians  hosting game shows today.



I saw people were upset about Lavar not getting the gig, but his week he was terrible.

Ken has said on his podcasts that he was absolutely interested in the job and would consider it a great honor. He has also hinted that he thinks Mike gamed the system here in a Dick Cheney sort of way -- head of the selection committee picks himself. Audio in link below -- it's coy, but apparent.

https://www.omnibusproject.com/381?t=1644

[blozier2006]

I feel like Mike was already picked as a host and they were using the guest hosts to keep the show in the news and as a stunt to announce Mike as a host.

This is the correct answer, I'd almost bet money on it.

[Axl]

It’s possible Jennings doesn’t want the gig and all it entails, also.

I don't think Ken signed a contract as a "consulting producer" (one of the industry's most meaningless titles) and to present special categories if he had no interest in hosting the show. If so, he would have said so at the time, which he noticeably didn't.

It seems probable that Ken (and Mike, for that matter) did not expect the position to become open at the time that it did, which led Ken to accept work on other game shows at what turned out to be an inconvenient moment. His deals with The Chase and Master Minds were signed at a time when Alex said his health was improving and it still looked as though he might be able to recover.

He has also hinted that he thinks Mike gamed the system here in a Dick Cheney sort of way -- head of the selection committee picks himself.

I think you may be reading a little too much into that comment in the podcast. Ken has always had a wry sense of humor and jokingly says things he doesn't really mean (which have sometimes gotten him into trouble). By Jennings standards, that was a marshmallow.

I feel like Mike was already picked as a host and they were using the guest hosts to keep the show in the news and as a stunt to announce Mike as a host.

Most of the guest hosts were clearly stunts, with several saying openly they had no interest in the full-time job, and Mike saying Sony didn't really want someone who was going to work on J! as a side hustle.

But I don't think Mike taking over was a fait accompli. While it wasn't too hard to read between the lines of some of his interviews to realize he wanted the job, he doesn't have the kind of power in the business to just snap his fingers and make that happen. Getting a job like this from the inside takes hard work and politicking, and Mike has a track record of being good at both.

[kishy214]

I think you may be reading a little too much into that comment in the podcast. Ken has always had a wry sense of humor and jokingly says things he doesn't really mean (which have sometimes gotten him into trouble). By Jennings standards, that was a marshmallow.

Totally possible -- my reading of the tea leaves is basically based on how Jeopardy! Reddit is obsessed with that comment (which was also likely taped months ago, Omnibus records pretty far in advance) and now the recent Ringer article from Claire McNear (love her book Answers in the Form of Questions btw) which sheds light on Mike's guest hosting stint and how it may not have been as much of an "emergency" as Richards proclaimed it to be. I'd imagine Jennings knew about that, and based on his relationship with McNear -- he wrote the foreword in her book -- I could see him being a source for some of the more insider-y details in that article.

[PatrickRox80]

Oh there is an irrational sentiment.

Now that it's come around that the sacred cow lied about the circumstances surrounding how he got to be a guest host, the sentiment isn't exactly irrational. We all had our reasons for not watching Dr. Oz. I'll have my reasons for refusing to watch Mike if his negotiations are successful.

He has also hinted that he thinks Mike gamed the system here in a Dick Cheney sort of way -- head of the selection committee picks himself. Audio in link below -- it's coy, but apparent.

Say what you will about Ken, but that is a pretty accurate depiction of how the hosting process has been going. If he came across as feeling like he got snubbed, I don't blame him.

[garffreak]

I still feel like there's a lingering, irrational anti-Mike sentiment

I think some models that have worked under Mike (pun possibly intended) might say those sentiments are quite rational.

[SeaBreeze341]

1424171964361428992[/tweet]]Drew Carey, who got the nod over Mike Richards to succeed Bob Barker, defends the former TPIR EP.

1424172043038191620[/tweet]]Here's the second part in case the Twitter reply to his own tweet isn't included in the first link.


Carey is pretty spot on, IMO.  What happened to Brandi and Lanisha is what it is.  Both cases were not cool, and if Richards isn't that good of a guy, it would be stuff that would be surprising to Drew.  The model interactions returned to a level that pretty much exceeds the 80s.  It had been absent for pretty much a couple decades, but under Mike, the show became more than Drew & Drew only.  The models and George received more respect than they would have earlier in the series.

I still stand with being fine with Richards as the guy, but I totally feel for Ken.  For one, I understand that one can no longer compete on the show again if they hosted it in any capacity.  I don't know if Jennings was "retiring" as a contestant on Jeopardy!  However, if he feels like he had no shot I don't know if he should've agreed to host in the first place

[GameShowKid]

So little change then?

Whatever axe one has to grind is a personal issue perhaps.

I don't know Richards personally, but to me, he has for years not come off as sincere or genuine in his hosting style.