Calls are growing for “Jeopardy!” executive producer Mike Richards to be named as the permanent host of the iconic game show after COVID-19 forced him to fill in as guest host this week.

While there are guest hosts like Savannah Guthrie, Katie Couric, and Anderson Cooper lined up for the future, Richards explained on Monday night’s show that some of them had to be postponed due to the pandemic.

“I’m hosting today and for the next two weeks to keep the greatest quiz show in the world going,” Richards said, according to Yahoo News. “We have some amazing guest hosts coming that I can’t wait for you to see. But with the COVID outbreak here in L.A., folks were understandably a little reticent to shoot. So as the producer, my job is to quite literally live the mantra, the show must go on. So let’s do what Alex did 8,244 times. Let’s play Jeopardy!and prove that nothing can stop this show.”

Richards has been a huge hit on the show, as fans are calling for him to become the permanent host.

“Can Mike Richard’s name be tossed into the hat for new host? EP and guest host tonight. Nice voice, easy on the eyes, has charm,” one fan tweeted, with another adding, “I think @Jeopardy can stop looking for Alex Trebek’s replacement because their executive producer / temporary host — Mike Richards — is a FOX!!! I don’t wanna look at anyone else…”

Can Mike Richard's name be tossed into the hat for new host? EP and guest host tonight. Nice voice, easy on the eyes, has charm. 😁 #Jeopardy #mikerichards

— Nia (@escambiNIA) February 23, 2021

I think @Jeopardy can stop looking for Alex Trebek’s replacement because their executive producer / temporary host – Mike Richards – is a FOX!!! I don’t wanna look at anyone else… pic.twitter.com/FjvlxFQEBN

— Ryan (@thisismeryan13) February 23, 2021

On Tuesday night’s episode, Richards paid a touching tribute to the late great host Alex Trebek, who died back in November at the age of 80 after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

“Working with Alex was even better than you could have imagined. His intensity for the show, his humor, his kindness, but most impressively, his love for his wife Jean and his kids. He was everything you could hope for and more,” Richards said. “He was an idol of mine, and I will work every day to try to live up to the example he set. So with that in mind,” Richards said, looking to the contestants, “Sam, Aaron and Frances, good luck. This is for you, Alex.”

Richards has some hosting experience in the past, as he has hosted “The Pyramid”and “Beauty and the Geek.” He has also won multiple Daytime Emmys as producer of “The Price Is Right.”