Mike Richards has been ousted as executive producer of 'Jeopardy!', days after he stepped down as the quiz show’s newly appointed host because of past comments. AP
Mike Richards has been ousted as executive producer of 'Jeopardy!', days after he stepped down as the quiz show’s newly appointed host because of past comments. AP
Mike Richards has been ousted as executive producer of 'Jeopardy!', days after he stepped down as the quiz show’s newly appointed host because of past comments. AP
Mike Richards has been ousted as executive producer of 'Jeopardy!', days after he stepped down as the quiz show’s newly appointed host because of past comments. AP

‘Jeopardy!’ producer Mike Richards leaves show in wake of offensive comments


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Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards, who stepped down as the show's host after only nine days following a sexism row, has been removed from the long-running US television quiz entirely.

Richards had been named to replace Alex Trebek, who died of cancer in 2020, but his tenure in the presenting slot was cut short by controversy over past employment discrimination lawsuits and the emergence of disparaging comments he made involving several women.

Sony Pictures Television informed employees on Tuesday that Richards "will no longer be serving as (executive producer) of Wheel [of Fortune] and Jeopardy! effective immediately".

"We had hoped that when Mike stepped down from the host position at Jeopardy! it would have minimised the disruption and internal difficulties we have all experienced these last few weeks," wrote executive Suzanne Prete.

"That clearly has not happened."

Richards, 46, had been owing to share hosting duties with The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik, following a long hunt for Trebek's replacement.

But days after the decision was announced, comments Richard had made about women on a podcast eight years ago drew criticism of the producer's appointment.

Sports and pop culture website The Ringer trawled through episodes of The Randumb Show, a podcast Richards hosted between 2013 and 2014, finding a number of comments relating to women and nudity.

Renewed media attention was also drawn to employment discrimination lawsuits filed by women when Richards was executive producer of The Price is Right.

Richards apologised in August for the negative attention brought to Jeopardy!.

Actress Mayim Bialik will remain as host of 'Jeopardy!'. AP
Actress Mayim Bialik will remain as host of 'Jeopardy!'. AP

Prete said production of future episodes "remains on schedule" and that she would "be more involved in the day-to-day on our shows moving forward" along with former Wife Swap producer Michael Davies.

Bialik will temporarily host the syndicated shows and remains set to take charge of special primetime events and spin-offs, including a new collegiate championship.

Jeopardy! has been running in one form or another on US television since 1964, scooping up a bevy of awards over the decades.

In a twist on the quiz show format, contestants are given answers, to which they must provide the question.

White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE. 

Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

The Brutalist

Director: Brady Corbet

Stars: Adrien Brody, Felicity Jones, Guy Pearce, Joe Alwyn

Rating: 3.5/5

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2019 Asian Cup final

Japan v Qatar
Friday, 6pm
Zayed Sports City Stadium, Abu Dhabi

Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

'Cheb%20Khaled'
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WORLD CUP SEMI-FINALS

England v New Zealand

(Saturday, 12pm UAE)

Wales v South Africa

(Sunday, 12pm, UAE)

 

The Beach Bum

Director: Harmony Korine

Stars: Matthew McConaughey, Isla Fisher, Snoop Dogg

Two stars

Red flags
  • Promises of high, fixed or 'guaranteed' returns.
  • Unregulated structured products or complex investments often used to bypass traditional safeguards.
  • Lack of clear information, vague language, no access to audited financials.
  • Overseas companies targeting investors in other jurisdictions - this can make legal recovery difficult.
  • Hard-selling tactics - creating urgency, offering 'exclusive' deals.

Courtesy: Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching

Updated: September 01, 2021, 6:48 AM