(My original post, August 21st, 2021):

Despite the backlash about their selection, I thought the campaign to select a new Host for Jeopardy was brilliant TV promo marketing by Sony Pictures Entertainment. Who takes the fall for this fail?

I don’t consider this as an apology, or Mike Richards being accountable for disparaging remarks he made about women and Jews in the past:

“…I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention…”.

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Richards has been Executive Producer of Jeopardy for two years and the process of vetting guest hosts and a permanent host of any TV show, I know from experience, is thorough and deliberate.

So, I also don’t consider this a statement of accountability from the company that hired and promoted him:

“…We have spoken with him about our concerns and our expectations moving forward….”.

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It’s not that I think Richards should never work again, or that Sony PicturesTV should be shuttered. After all that we’ve discovered about social justice, equity and promoting positive corporate culture, I believe their statements (read them in Variety) on this matter demonstrate little progress on the pathway to professional integrity from Richards and the all-male TV Senior ManagementTeam.

ADDENDUM:

August 11th, 2021 - Mike Richards announced as the new permanent Host of “Jeopardy!”

August 20th, 2021 - Mike Richards steps down as Host of“Jeopardy!”

August 31st, 2021 - Mike Richards is no longer theExecutive Producer of “Jeopardy!”

Read MORE here in The Ringer.

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