I'm surprised that Richards didn't wait for Wheel of Fortune to become available, as that show might be more in his wheelhouse. Or maybe he's planning on hosting both shows when the time comes?
In any event, poor decisions on Sony's part. Typical corporate choices, going with mostly safe and then some "celebrity." The brand goes down in my eyes; I'll watch from time to time, but not with the enthusiasm I might have had had they gone in a different direction.