Michael Davies Named As Permanent 'Jeopardy!' Executive Producer

Current “Jeopardy!” executive producer Michael Davies isn’t going anywhere!

On Thursday, the “Jeopardy!” blog revealed that Davies had been named the new showrunner of the long-running game show. Davies had initially taken over the role after previous EP Mike Richards was fired after a series of scandals rocked the show.

Richards, who had also been the EP for “Wheel of Fortune” was also kicked from that show; Bellamie Blackstone was named EP for “Wheel of Fortune” last month, so fans are glad to see that the move is permanent.

Davies, who had previously served as executive producer on shows like AMC’s “Talking Dead” and “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire,” was finally named the official “Jeopardy!” showrunner on Thursday afternoon.

“Today, I am delighted to announce that I have accepted Sony’s offer to become the show’s full time Executive Producer,” he wrote. “I am both honored and humbled by the faith the studio and the staff have put in me. Over the next few months, the scope of our plans will become clear. But, for now I just want to thank everyone in the Jeopardy! community for your phenomenal support.”

He also went on to thank Suzanne Prete, Executive Vice President at Sony Pictures.

“The studio’s strong commitment to game shows also allows me to bring Embassy Row’s game show development and production expertise to the new Sony Games area being run by my partner in all things Jeopardy!, Suzanne Prete,” he continued. “Suzanne and I are like the human embodiment of a Venn diagram, very different backgrounds and starting points, but a huge shaded area in the middle where we are completely aligned on the future of Jeopardy! and the game show business at large.”

“Honestly, without the strength of our working relationship and the trust we both have in each other, I would never have been able to succeed in the interim role, and I never would have taken, let alone been offered, the permanent role,” he continued. “We have so many plans to expand our working relationship in the future and already several Embassy Row creatives and producers have started work within the group.”

Michael Davies also had nothing but positive things to say about the show itself.

“Jeopardy! does not need to be imagined or reimagined,” he explained. “It is honestly the most perfect idea, both classic and essentially modern. Its air is filled with a constant barrage of brilliant writing and a parade of memorable contestants.” He added, “The team who make the show are passionate about their work and committed to the daily pursuit of excellence that Jeopardy! requires.”

“But most of all, Jeopardy! has a fan base like nothing else I have seen in television outside sports,” he went on. “I am honestly so inspired by your attention to detail and the depth of your love for the show, its legacy, and its future.”

“We don’t always agree. You don’t always agree!” he joked. “But we all share the same goal: to see the show we love be as good as it can be.”

“Johnny’s reassuring voice at the beginning of every episode literally reminds us of our history and responsibility,” Davies continued. “I have always known that the job of Executive Producing this show was to be a custodian of something that has meant so much to so many people for so long and to protect the work of those who created and built something so magical.”

“But it is also a building job. And a development job,” he admitted. “And that is the kind of Executive Producer role that is a dream for a producer like me. Jeopardy! has a massive opportunity to build further and, far from being threatened by the massive changes in the media landscape, we can take advantage of the emergence of new platforms and bring more Jeopardy! to more audiences. There is just so much more we can do together.”

Now that Davies has been tapped as the permanent executive producer, fans are hoping that Sony will finally decide whether “Jeopardy!” Greatest of All Time tournament winner Ken Jennings or “The Big Bang Theory” actress Mayim Bialik will take over as permanent host. Sony is expected to make the decision after the current season, season 38, ends in July.