covid cases were on the rise there. >> it was very literally at the last minute that the decision was to step in and keep the show going. >> reporter: some viewers liked him a lot, but questions persisted about his daily double role. was he in the running while auditions others? for some it was a bucket list experience. >> a life dream for me. >> reporter: while others were notably snubbed, like cnn's laura coates who trebek suggested as a possible successor. some fans felt shelved until the end of the season. the bosses at sony who run the show went with richards despite the appearance that he picked himself, or manipulated the race. >> wow, what are the odds! exactly the same as me getting named stephen colbert magnificent's sexiest man alive. >> reporter: richards defended himself when news route lets resurfaced allegesing he mistreated colleagues at the price of right and when they found his old podcast with a litany of offensive remarks