Dictionary.com expertly defined the word "Jeopardy" in response to Mike Richards stepping down as the new Jeopardy! host after his past misogynistic comments came to surface.
His tenure as the show's host abruptly came to an end after news sources revealed several controversies associated with Richards—including making sexist remarks and leading a toxic work environment in the past.
Dictionary.com weighed in on the embattled host's departure with a definitive dig, tweeting:
"'Jeopardy' is a noun meaning 'peril or danger.'"
"Here it is in a sentence: 'My job is in jeopardy because of my past comments.'"
"Jeopardy" is a noun meaning "peril or danger." Here it is in a sentence:\n\n"My job is in jeopardy because of my past comments."https://www.dictionary.com/browse/jeopardy?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=organicsocial&utm_campaign=dcomsocial\u00a0\u2026— Dictionary.com (@Dictionary.com) 1629470121
In a divisive decision, parent studio Sony Pictures Television appointed Richards—who had been the executive producer of the iconic TV game show since 2019—to succeed the late Alex Trebek.
Actress Mayim Bialik was tapped to host prime-time tournaments and spinoff series, including a new college championship. But Richards was to perform the nightly duties as host.
The decision of appointing Richards was met with backlash from disappointed fans.
White male game show hosts? Isn\u2019t that getting old? Can we please try something new? #lavarburton #RobinRoberts— Marie Corfield (@Marie Corfield) 1629484774
I was really looking forward to the season premiere where after an exhaustive 61-clue search for the next Jeopardy champion, the show looks past the three obvious candidates and declares Mike Richards the winner— James Holzhauer (@James Holzhauer) 1629469973
I\u2019ll take \u201cShould\u2019ve hired LeVar Burton in the first place for 500, please.\u201d— Rod Walker (@Rod Walker) 1629469523
Dictionary casts a looonnnnggg shadow— Claire Goforth (@Claire Goforth) 1629471035
This is officially the tweet of the day.\n\n\nWho knew that a damn dictionary could be savage?\n\nWow. The intern needs a raise. #JustSaying . \n@Dictionarycom this is why you are my go to Dictionary— Ethel Ik (@Ethel Ik) 1629474424
What is this flavor of tea? Excellent selection.— \ud83d\udc68\ud83c\udfff\u200d\ud83e\uddb1 Martian Klanhunter\u2122 (@\ud83d\udc68\ud83c\udfff\u200d\ud83e\uddb1 Martian Klanhunter\u2122) 1629474013
pic.twitter.com/Hq8Inmq9XC— Reggie Newton \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2696\ufe0f\ud83c\udfdb\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udfff\ud83c\udfb8\ud83d\ude37 (@Reggie Newton \ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf8\u2696\ufe0f\ud83c\udfdb\ud83c\udf08\ud83c\udf0a\ud83d\udc4a\ud83c\udfff\ud83c\udfb8\ud83d\ude37) 1629481144
this is why we internet— Marissa R. Moss (@Marissa R. Moss) 1629471457
I'll take the Daily Double for $400 please.\n\nAnswer is: He hired himself and holds the record for the shortest run as host of Jeopardy.\n\nQuestion: "Who is Mike Richards?"— Gordon (@Gordon) 1629471174
Earlier, The Ringer website reported Richards made sexist comments on The Randumb Show podcast from 2013 to 2014.
In the clips, which have since been removed, he used offensive language and disparaged women's bodies.
In one episode, he made a remark about a co-host's "boobies," while he said one-piece swimsuits make women look "really frumpy and overweight" in another.
Richards also faced discrimination lawsuits from when he was the executive producer of The Price is Right.
The suits alleged the male leadership of the game show, including Richards, mistreated their female employees and led a toxic work environment.
One of the lawsuits filed in 2010 alleged a model on the Price is Right was discriminated against for being pregnant, and she learned her contract had been terminated after giving birth.
He left a note to the Jeopardy! staff on Friday, which read in part:
"Over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show."
@GovPressOffice/X
