“Danger!” returns to its monumental 38th season with a host that viewers thought was undone and a heartbreaking tribute to his late lover.
Former executive producer and aspiring to present the Mike Richards episode aired Monday in a pre-recorded segment. He hosted the show just before he was kicked out when some controversial comments he made in the past came to light.
But instead of addressing it with scandal, the games program opened the episode with a sweet tribute to the late host Alex Trebek.
“Earlier today, with Alex’s wife, Jean, son Matt, and daughters Emily and Nicky, we dedicated the stage in her honor,” announcer Johnny Gilbert said. “It will now be known forever as Alex Trebek Stage.”
WE ‘JEOPARDY!’ THE SEASON BEGINS WITH MIKE RICHARDS HOSTED HUST, SPECTATORS REACT
Trebek died in November at the age of 80 from pancreatic cancer.
After the announcement, the game began with Richards, 46, at the helm of the show.
“We’re in the presence of a champion in the middle of a historic race,” Richards said. “Matt Amodio is the third ‘Jeopardy’ money winner in the regular season … For the first time since the Alex Trebek stage, let’s play Jeopardy!”
“JEOPARDIA!” AND THE EXECUTIVE PRODUCTION OF “WHEEL OF FORTUNE” MIKE RICHARDS CARRIED OUT
On September 7, new contestant Samit Sarkar he tweeted who has “the dubious distinction of being one of 11 contestants in history who has recorded with Mike Richards as a” permanent “host.” He also alleged that the game showed a tradition amid the Richards controversy.
“Jeopardy contestants usually get two photos: one with the host + a blow to the head. We each took a picture with Mike, but the blow was only sent to our head. Later I have more to say.” , he wrote.
Current champion Matt Amodio spoke to the Washington Post and revealed that he did not bother with the host debacle.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPLICATION
“Frankly, the last thing I’m thinking about when I’m in the middle of a game is who’s organizing,” he said. “I made people say, ‘Oh man, you’ve gone to your fourth host, that must be hard.’ And I’d say, ‘Well, you’re right, but I didn’t even realize it, necessarily.’ “Because I’m trying to get these really dark facts out of my brain, and that needs all the mental energy I can afford right now.”
The episodes that Richards recorded earlier this year while he was still in the spotlight will air as planned. Mayim Bialik will replace him for the time being. He was started as producer and host of the show in August after his sexist statements resurfaced in women.