The reporting of Claire McNear, a journalist who had written a book on the game show, helped end Mike Richards’s hopes of succeeding Alex Trebek as its host.
COMMENTARY BY MARGARET SULLIVAN
How Journalism Saved ‘Jeopardy’ From An Unworthy Host After An Utter Failure Of Corporate Vetting
Reporter Claire McNear of the Ringer diligently did what Sony, the show’s parent company, failed to do. McNear vetted Alex Trebek successor Mike Richards with material that was out there in plain sight, finding many instances of sexist and offensive remarks he had made on a podcast. McNear’s story was published last Wednesday. By Friday, Richards had been bounced as new host, after only one day of filming and not much more than a week after his appointment had been announced.
