JEOPARDY! host Mike Richards apologized and said he’s “very embarrassed” for calling a female co-host a “slut” on his old podcast.
Mike previously made controversial comments about his co-host Beth Triffon during the The Randumb Show podcast.
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The podcast, which ran from 2013-2014, gave fans a behind the scenes look at The Price Is Right.
WHAT DID MIKE SAY?
According to The Ringer, Beth- who served as his co-host and was his former assistant- previously discussed working as a model at the CES during one episode.
Following her comments, Mike, 46, dubbed Beth as a “booth ho,” “booth slut” and “boothstitute.”
In another episode, Mike discussed a photo of Beth and her friends as he called the group “really frumpy and overweight” and said “they all look terrible in the picture … they look fat and not good in the picture.”
The old episodes resurfaced shortly after it was announced Mike had been cast as one of the new hosts of Jeopardy!
MIKE APOLOGIZES
As reported by TMZ, Mike broke his silence following the backlash via a statement through Sony.
Mike said: “It is humbling to confront a terribly embarrassing moment of misjudgment, thoughtlessness, and insensitivity from nearly a decade ago. Looking back now, there is no excuse, of course, for the comments I made on this podcast and I am deeply sorry.”
The new host added: “The podcast was intended to be a series of irreverent conversations between longtime friends who had a history of joking around. Even with the passage of time, it’s more than clear that my attempts to be funny and provocative were not acceptable, and I have removed the episodes.”
MORE CONTROVERSY
Mike’s old comments resurfacing is not the only controversy the game show’s host has faced recently.
Earlier this month, rumors began to spread that he contributed to “toxic” behavior on The Price Is Right set.
The allegations came from Brandi Cochran, who claimed in 2010 that she was “discriminated against” by CBS and FremantleMedia North America after disclosing her pregnancy.
Additionally, she claimed she was later wrongfully terminated after giving birth.
Following the allegations against him, Mike spoke out and said that past lawsuits “don’t reflect” who he is.
“I want to address the complicated employment issues raised in the press during my time at The Price is Right ten years ago,” he wrote in statement to Jeopardy! staff.
“These were allegations made in employment disputes against the show. I want you all to know that the way in which my comments and actions have been characterized in these complaints does not reflect the reality of who I am or how we worked together on The Price is Right.”
Mike then went on to say that he is “very proud” of his time on The Price Is Right and Let’s Make a Deal.
JEOPARDY’S NEW HOSTS
Despite the allegations made against him, Mike and Mayim Bialik were announced as the new hosts of Jeopardy! earlier this month.
While Mike will take over the hosting roles of the late Alex Trebek, Mayim will be serving as host of the spin-off specials.
The longtime host sadly passed away following his battle with pancreatic cancer in November 2020.
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