LOS ANGELES - Mike Richards is stepping down as the new host of "Jeopardy!" following backlash he received over past derogatory comments made on a podcast several years ago.Richards, who was named last week as the permanent host of the syndicated show to replace the late Alex Trebek, announced his exit in an internal memo to staff on Friday.
The search for a new permanent host will resume, while guest hosts will fill in during the filming of the upcoming season. "It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on Jeopardy!