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Jeopardy !" fans rejoiced on Twitter after new co-hostMike Richards stepped down. - But the most unexpected burn came from Dictionary.com, which pointed out the irony in the show's name.
- "Here it is in a sentence," Dictionary.com tweeted. "My job is in jeopardy because of my past comments."
Words hurt, a fact the social media team at Dictionary.com reminded the internet of on Friday after dunking on an outgoing "Jeopardy!" host's departure.
-Dictionary.com (@Dictionarycom) August 20, 2021
Mike Richards, the executive producer of "Jeopardy!," was named the cohost of the highly-acclaimed game show on August 11 alongside "The Big Bang Theory's" Mayim Bialik. Richards stepped down from the role just two days after The Ringer published a scathing report of his behind-the-scenes conduct.
The report detailed allegations of discrimination and harassment from models on "The Price is Right" - which Richards executive produced - and resurfaced comments he made in a podcast in 2013 when he said he cheers for the "average white-guy host" like Jeff Probst because "through his success I could have some success hosting."
Fans of "Reading Rainbow's" Levar Burton, one of the favorites to become a permanent host, saw Richards' comments as proof that Burton, a Black man, was never going to get the cohost position after being granted a guest host spot. Laura Coates, a CNN anchor and Black woman, was reportedly former host Alex Trebek's first choice to replace him, but she was never given the opportunity to guest host.
-Luke Allan ⚰ (@LukeCage2000) August 19, 2021
People on Twitter rejoiced at Richard's decision to step down as cohost of the show. Dictionary.com pointed out on Twitter the irony of the situation given the definition of the word "jeopardy" and were even kind enough to use it in a sentence:
"My job is in jeopardy because of my past comments," the dictionary tweeted to the world.