Mike Richards.Photo: Carol Kaelson/Jeopardy Productions
“The podcast was intended to be a series of irreverent conversations between longtime friends who had a history of joking around. Even with the passage of time, it’s more than clear that my attempts to be funny and provocative were not acceptable, and I have removed the episodes,” the statement continued. “My responsibilities today as a father, husband, and a public personality who speaks to many people through my role on television means I have substantial and serious obligations as a role model, and I intend to live up to them.”
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Mike Richards.Daytime Emmy Awards 2021 via Getty Images
In one clip, taking from a 2014 episode, Richards called his podcast co-host and former assistant Beth Triffon a “booth ho” and a “booth slut” when discussing her work as a model at the CES trade show, The Ringer reported.
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Episodes ofThe Randumb Showhave been were available on the podcast’s original hosting site,mrichtv.podbean.com, until Tuesday. Archived episodes can still beaccessed via the Internet Archive.
Alex Trebek.Eric McCandless via Getty Images
Richards was namedJeopardy!’s new permanent host last week, nine months after the death of longtime hostAlex Trebek.
This is the second apology Richards has issued this month. Prior to the announcement of hisJeopardy!gig, he denied allegations of workplace discrimination during his time atThe Price Is Right, including a claim that he allegedly told model Brandi Cochran when she revealed she was pregnant, “Go figure, I fire five models. What are the odds one of the ones that I keep gets pregnant?”
Cochran sued the producers at FremantleMedia North America andThe Price Is RightProductions in 2012, winning the suit to the tune of more than $7 million in damages.The decision was overturned the next year,Entertainment Weeklyreported, and settled out of court.
Another suit — a wrongful constructive termination and retaliationlawsuitfromPrice is Rightmodel Lanisha Cole in 2011 — accused Richards of treating Cole differently than the other models, causing her “great uncertainty” about her future on the show, according to theLos Angeles Times. He was later dismissed as a defendant and the case was settled out of court in 2013, the outlet reported.
Richards went on to say that the models' pregnancies were “embraced and celebrated.”
“I know firsthand how special it is to be a parent. It is the most important thing in the world to me,” he wrote. “I would not say anything to disrespect anyone’s pregnancy and have always supported my colleagues on their parenting journeys.”
“I am very proud of my time onThe Price Is RightandLet’s Make a Deal,” the former producer continued. “During my tenure, our female cast members welcomed seven beautiful children. We embraced and celebrated each pregnancy and birth both in front of and behind the camera. It was a joy to watch their families grow and highlight their happiness as part of the show.”
Jeopardy!’s 38th season premieres on Sept. 13.
source: people.com
