Sony looked aside as an unknown EP crowned himself Alex Trebeks replacement.
How did this happen?
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Dumping Mike Richards as host ofJeopardy!solved one problem for producer Sony Pictures Television.
Jeopardy!is an American institution, one told me.
Trebeks passing and the need for his replacement didnt come as some unexpected surprise.
This effort almost surelyintensifiedafter Trebek suffered aheart attackin 2012 and began broaching the subject of retirement during interviews.
But Mosko left Sony in 2016, and his institutional knowledge of theJeopardy!business walked out with him.
But the real purpose of this hire would become clear a few months later.
You dont have to be a pro atJeopardy!to know that producers name was Mike Richards.
I was later told that these were life-threatening episodes.
But at least one Hollywood TV vet I spoke with remains dubious.
But lets assume Vinciquerra was hands-on in the search for Trebeks successor.
In a way, thats even more damning.
But why did nobody at the studio ever think to bring Friedman into the process?
(including its quasi-spiritual connection to its audience) might be a problem.
That they opted not to tells you everything you should probably know.
A pivotal moment, I think, came back in November, right after Trebek died.
When does the fucking exec producer of a show do the tribute as opposed to someone people know?
one gobsmacked industry observer asked me.
Unfortunately, common sense seems to be in short supply at Sony these days.
I excitedly predicted NBC was about to enter adeath spiral… in 2013.)
It is our hope that as EP he will continue to [leadJeopardy!]
with professionalism and respect, the studio said last week in a statement accepting his resignation as host.
This decision had industry insiders I spoke with incredulous.
Despite the awfulness of this situation, I believeJeopardy!will be okay in the long term.
Anotado agrees approaching Friedman makes sense, but he thinks the solution is already on the Culver lot.
I would promote [supervising producers] Lisa Broffman and Rocky Schmidt to co-executive producers, he says.
He also thinks they should have final approval on the eventual new host.
They need to work overtime to make things right.
