Sony fires Mike Richards

[dagdoggnh]

Details: https://variety.com/2021/tv/news/mike-richards-fired-executive-producer-jeopardy-wheel-of-fortune-1235052887/

[wheelfan1991]

Can't say I'm shocked with the news. In light of recent events, it was bound to happen. Now, Sony has to scramble to find a replacement. I wonder what that means for the taping of Season 38? I assume all of CWOF Season 2 has already been taped?

[plinkostick1]

Seems like it was a matter of "losing the locker room", the staff (probably made up of a bunch of millennials) not feeling "comfortable" with him as the boss. Sony themselves (big wigs) apparently didn't really have a problem with him EPing. I just hope this doesn't lead to a more "viral" style ala the categories in "100k Pyramid" or Family Feud responses. For one show that style definitely doesn't (or shouldn't) fit (J!) And one that it might but absolutely doesn't need to (WoF).

[PatrickRox80]

This is on Sony for thinking they could pull another fast one. There were tons of options for both shows to replace Harry Friedman. No reason to bring in an outsider with so much baggage.

Bringing in Michael Davies for the time being is a bit of a surprise. I'm wishing him the best of luck.

[SeaBreeze341]

It's a step in the right direction.  Michael Davies as the interim is a start toward regaining some credibility as it relates to the product.  Not sure he's the best choice, but today's move needed to happen better late than not

[Mr. Weatherman]

”Wheel of Fortune” staffers had felt completely in the dark in recent weeks as to what was happening and who was running the ship.

Recent weeks?  No one has been running their ship for a decade+ lol.

[mechamind]

From the Jeopardy! Board...

If he had quietly hired Ken or Buzzy or [checks notes] literally anyone but himself, he would still have a job.

...and other than if he picked "Mr. Oz" (as a Wheel of Fortune contestant once called him), I agree with this.

[gamesurf]

If Mike had decided he was content producing the two biggest game shows on television without becoming the face of it, he would have had one of the cushiest jobs in Hollywood and ended up riding with millions of dollars into the sunset.

If Mike had run a clean, non-drawn-out host search with transparency and plenty of input from other producers, or even if he just said "Sony hired me because they wanted me to host, it's me" instead of the aw-shucks-just-filling-in routine, I believe Mike probably would have weathered the podcast comments and TPIR allegations when they resurfaced.

But you cannot abuse the trust of your coworkers so publicly and then expect to get away with "I'm sorry, won't happen again".

[GameShowKid]

What a fall.

[Torgo]

Does this mean we can stop talking about Drew hosting Season 37?

Probably not.

[BonusShell]

If Mike had decided he was content producing the two biggest game shows on television without becoming the face of it, he would have had one of the cushiest jobs in Hollywood and ended up riding with millions of dollars into the sunset.

If Mike had run a clean, non-drawn-out host search with transparency and plenty of input from other producers, or even if he just said "Sony hired me because they wanted me to host, it's me" instead of the aw-shucks-just-filling-in routine, I believe Mike probably would have weathered the podcast comments and TPIR allegations when they resurfaced.

But you cannot abuse the trust of your coworkers so publicly and then expect to get away with "I'm sorry, won't happen again".

Without a doubt, Richards' supersized ego is what caused his downfall.

I'll be curious to learn how much severance Richards receives. IMO, he shouldn't receive anything.

I also wouldn't be surprised if Richards tries to publicly redeem himself in some way, since other disgraced celebrities and politicians have attempted to do the same. In Richards' case, I would consider any attempts to show contrition to be insincere.

[Axl]

Seems like it was a matter of "losing the locker room", the staff (probably made up of a bunch of millennials) not feeling "comfortable" with him as the boss.

Most of the people on staff have been with the show for a long, long time. You don't have to be a millennial to recognize an untenable work environment.

When Megyn Kelly made some comments that seemed to be sympathetic of blackface, it was a staff revolt that basically forced her out of NBC. But it wasn't led by millennials. It was led by Al Roker, who was already in his 60s.

[plinkostick1]

Most of the people on staff have been with the show for a long, long time. You don't have to be a millennial to recognize an untenable work environment.

When Megyn Kelly made some comments that seemed to be sympathetic of blackface, it was a staff revolt that basically forced her out of NBC. But it wasn't led by millennials. It was led by Al Roker, who was already in his 60s.

The "millennial" comment was based on staffers leaking stuff to "The Ringer" seems like more of a millennial thing but be that as it may. I don't really see him as overtly offensive, the comments he made were in jest for shock value, playing a "radio persona" like Stern or Jimmy Kimmel. I doubt he feels that strongly about one piece swimsuits or demeaning women. That said, the self-anointment process does come off as smarmy and unbecoming of a leader.

[RatRace10]

This is on Sony for thinking they could pull another fast one. There were tons of options for both shows to replace Harry Friedman. No reason to bring in an outsider with so much baggage.

They didn't even have to bring the same person to do both shows. This whole thing wouldn't have happened if Mike were hired only to work on Wheel (his experience on TPIR/LMAD was better suited for that kind of show environment anyway) and they got somebody else to take over Jeopardy. Wheel needed saving after Harry realized that Jeopardy is a cash cow for Sony whenever there's a champion that lasts 10+ days and turned his back on it. Wheel was more talked about in 2020-21 than the previous 5 years before that combined. If Mike were only on Wheel, Jeopardy probably wouldn't have even let him try to be a guest host. I blame Harry Friedman for making everyone think Wheel and Jeopardy have a "rivalry" when they don't. Point is, Sony doesn't need to think that both shows need the same person running them.

[imhomerjay]

No one on the staff turned their back on one show to play favorites with the other. Whatever this grudge is, it’s not grounded in reality.