Mike Richards to Executive Produce 'Jeopardy!' and 'Wheel of Fortune' After Harry Friedman Exits

Mike Richards is set to take over as executive producer of “Jeopardy!” and “Wheel of Fortune” when Harry Friedman exits next year.

Friedman announced his plans to retire from the game show world at the beginning of this month after 25 years with Sony Pictures Television.

Richards, who served as executive producer of “The Price is Right” for over ten years and also worked on “Let’s Make a Deal,” announced plans to leave both shows in June after signing an overall deal with SPT.

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“Wheel of Fortune” is currently in production on its 37th season, while and “Jeopardy!” is taping its 36th. Both will premiere on Sept. 9.

“‘Wheel of Fortune’ and ‘Jeopardy!’ are the gold standard of television — exceptional, timeless formats produced by amazing teams. Alex Trebek, Vanna White and Pat Sajak are incredible hosts and I can’t wait to work side by side with them on these world-class franchises. Harry Friedman’s 25-year run can only be described as legendary. I have long been inspired by his hard work and brilliant decision making, and I’m honored to get to work with Harry over the next few months. Thank you to Mike Hopkins and the entire Sony team for this dream opportunity,” said Richards.

“We are fortunate to have Mike, one of the top game show producers in the business, join the talented teams at Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy!,” said Mike Hopkins, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television. “Mike’s experience working with long-running franchises like ‘Price Is Right’ and ‘Let’s Make a Deal’ make him the ideal successor for our iconic shows. We also look forward to Mike growing our already strong game show business and to developing and producing shows for network, cable, and streaming platforms. We are grateful for the leadership and impeccable direction Harry has so elegantly provided over many years and look forward to the continued success of these beloved shows.”

“Wheel of Fortune” and “Jeopardy!” are produced by Sony Pictures Television and distributed by CBS Television Distribution.

9 Fall Horror Movies to Keep You Up All Night, From 'It: Chapter Two' to 'Black Christmas' (Photos)

From movies about life-like dolls to terrifying clowns, 2019's fall movie calendar is packed with horror.
Sept. 4: "IT: Chapter Two"

After the success of "IT" in 2017, we're so looking forward to the sequel that will take place 27 years after the Loser Club crossed paths with Pennywise the Clown.
New Line
Sept. 13: "Haunt"

"A Quiet Place" co-writers Bryan Woods and Scott Beck write and direct this one, about a group of friends who visit an "extreme" haunted house on Halloween.
Momentum
Oct. 18: "The Lighthouse"

You wouldn't think a festival favorite starring Robert Pattinson and Willem Dafoe would qualify as a horror movie, but it is! The movie follows two lighthouse keepers who live in a remote and mysterious island in the 1890s.
Photo by Eric Chakeen
Oct. 18: "Zombieland: Double Tap"

OK, we know -- it's more of a comedy than a horror film, but it's still all about the guts and the gore. Woody Harrelson, Emma Roberts, Jesse Eisenberg and Abigail Breslin return to fight evolved zombies.
Columbia
Oct. 18: "Eli"

October 18 seems to be THE day for horror releases this fall! In Ciaran Foy's film, a boy receiving treatment for his autoimmune disorder realizes the house he's in isn't as safe as he thought.
Netflix
Nov. 8: "Doctor Sleep"

In a sequel to Stephen King's "The Shining," a grown-up Danny Torrance (Ewan McGregor) meets a young girl who houses the same abilities he has -- they're just much stronger, and that's why she's being hunted by a cult known as The True Knot.
Warner Bros.
Nov. 15: "The Lodge"

"The Lodge," by the "Goodnight Mommy" filmmakers, made a splash in January at Sundance. The movie stars Kiley Keough, Richard Armitage and Alicia Silverstone and will make you cringe in fear for days.
Sundance Institute
Dec. 6: "Brahms: The Boy II"

"Brahms: The Boy II" is the follow up to 2016's "The Boy." This one stars Katie Holmes as a woman whose son makes friends with a life-like doll named Brahms.
STX
Dec. 13: "Black Christmas"

Blumhouse's remake of the 1974 horror film of the same stars Cary Elwes, Imogen Poots and Brittany O'Grady and goes old-school horror: A group of friends are stalked by a stranger during their winter break.
Blumhouse