‘Jeopardy!’ Fans Pull For LeVar Burton As Host After Mike Richards Steps Down

TV producer Mike Richards has stepped down as the new host of “Jeopardy!” after a report revealed past misogynistic comments he made on a podcast. The move comes just one week after he was announced as the successor to the game show's late host Alex Trebek.

Richards' decision to step down resulted in “Jeopardy!” trending on Twitter on Friday as many fans reacted to the news. Notably, many appear to be pulling for actor LeVar Burton, who was one of many to audition for the spot in July to become the show’s new permanent host.

Burton is also following fans' calls to have him step in, responding with what many on Twitter are calling a “flawless subtweet.”

On Friday morning, moments after Richards quit, Burton tweeted, “Happy Friday, ya’ll!”

Whether that was merely coincidental timing or the perfect hint at today’s trending reactions remains to be revealed. However, fans are going crazy in the tweet's comments, asking if Burton has received an offer to be the show's new host.

As for Richards, he will still remain part of “Jeopardy!” but as the show’s executive producer, reports the Associated Press.

“I will be stepping down as host effective immediately. As a result, we will be canceling production today,” he said in a note to the show’s staff on Friday.

He has also apologized for his past sexist comments, calling them an "embarrassing moment of misjudgment, thoughtlessness and insensitivity."

Richards noted in the memo that Sony "will now resume the search for a permanent syndicated host. In the meantime, we will be bringing back guest hosts to continue production for the new season, details of which will be announced next week."