John Oliver makes cutting dig at new Jeopardy! host Mike Richards

John Oliver made a mocking quip about new Jeopeardy! host Mike Richards (Picture: HBO)

John Oliver has made a not-so-subtle dig at Mike Richards becoming the new host of Jeopardy!, following a mixed reaction to the appointment.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Mike, who joined Jeopardy! as an executive producer last year, had been chosen to host the show’s daily programme, with The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik presenting primetime and spin-off specials of the quiz show.

The announcement came following the death of beloved TV presenter Alex Trebek in November 2020, who had hosted the programme since 1984.

While many Jeopardy! fans are ecstatic to see Mayim front the show, who impressed viewers when she previously appeared as a guest host, some believed that actor LeVar Burton should have been chosen over Mike for the role.

During a new episode of Last Week Tonight, John referenced the Jeopardy! controversy while discussing rules over face masks in schools in the US during the pandemic.

He played a clip of a group of people angrily approaching a member of a school board over mask regulations, during which a man shouted: ‘We know who you are,’ Deadline reported.

Mayim and Mike will split presenting duties, with Mike hosting the daily show (Picture: Getty)

‘It is genuinely hard to imagine a five word phrase less welcome than “we know who you are” aside from obviously “new Jeopardy host Mike Richards”,’ he then said.

When it was announced that Mike and Mayim would be taking on hosting duties, Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios and Corporate Development for Sony Pictures, said the quiz show was ‘thrilled to begin the next chapter’ with the presenters.

‘We took this decision incredibly seriously. A tremendous amount of work and deliberation has gone into it, perhaps more than has ever gone into the selection of hosts for a show – deservedly so because it’s Jeopardy! and we are following the incomparable Alex Trebek,’ he added.

Numerous fans wanted former guest host LeVar Burton for the job (Picture: Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images)

In response to the support he received from fans wanting him to become the permanent host of Jeopardy!, LeVar, who guest hosted the series in July 2021, shared that he was extremely grateful.

‘I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won. The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure,’ he tweeted.

More: US TV news

Mayim shared her excitement over her new role on social media, saying that she felt ‘honored and astounded and excited’.

‘It’s beyond anything I ever imagined could happen,’ she said.

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver airs in the US on HBO.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE : The Big Bang Theory star Mayim Balik makes history as new Jeopardy! host alongside Mike Richards

MORE : Alex Trebek and Larry King’s kids accept posthumous Daytime Emmy Awards for late TV stars