Ken Jennings Didn’t Know His ‘Jeopardy!’ Return Would Air on Anniversary of Alex Trebek’s Passing

Paige Strout
13 Comments
Jeopardy host Alex Trebek with Ken Jennings
Everett Collection

Longtime Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings returned for another guest host stint on the iconic quiz show on November 8, the first anniversary of original host Alex Trebek’s passing. However, Jennings wasn’t aware his first episode back would coincide with the special date, making his return all the more bittersweet.

“Apparently, everyone was aware that we were going to air [my first episode] on the anniversary and nobody told me,” Jennings said in an interview with USA Today. “They didn’t want to put that in my head. So, I was not told until after that it was the Nov. 8 show.”

Because of this, the episode did not mention the date’s significance, given its advanced filming, but did end with a special credits message similar to that of previous episodes, reading “Forever in our Hearts. Always our Inspiration.”

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Despite being left in the dark on his first episode’s air date, Jennings felt Trebek’s presence while filming the episode, as he wore a pair of the host’s cuff links gifted to him by his wife, Jean. He described receiving the gift in a video on the show’s social media networks, saying, “The first day I came in to guest host was just a few weeks after Alex had passed and it was a really rough time. I got to the studio and one of the producers handed me a little box and Alex’s wife Jean had given me a pair of his cuff links that he had worn on the show.”

Jennings was the first in a long lineup of guest hosts following Trebek’s final episodes, and he certainly felt the pressure of filling in the legendary host’s shoes. “I knew that it was going to be a very difficult task … much less the idea that you’re trying to step into the shoes of Alex Trebek, which is impossible. This time, we’re kind of a year removed or more from all that, so I’ve had every possible emotion now related to ‘Jeopardy!’”

He and frequent guest host Mayim Bialik will continue to trade off hosting duties through the end of the year as the search for a permanent host continues.

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  1. O

    OlivePaw

    I want Ken Jennings to be the permanent host of Jeopardy if you have that woman be the permanent host I am done watching Jeopardy. I have been a longtime fan of Jeopardy watched it when I was a teenager and I won't watch it anymore if she's on

    12 3

    1. O

      OrangeBucket

      Right there with you. He's so much better than her.

      5 2

    2. O

      OrangeGuitar

      Why would you give up something that you love.

      She’s done a great job.

      Things change. I personally would like it to be alternated between the two of them.

      4 5

  2. O

    OrangeGuitar

    I prefer Ken too.

    I don't mind her too much, but I jut prefer Ken!

    9 1

  3. O

    OrangeBasketball

    KEN IS THE ONLY CHOICE. WE DO NOT NEED A TV ACTRESS HEADING UP THIS VERY GOOD SHOW.

    9 3

  4. O

    OrangeTree

    I want Ken Jennings as host. Do not like that woman!! Stopped watching after Matt was defeated. Now that Ken is back as host, I am watching it again. Go Ken!!!

    6 2

    1. G

      GoldButterfly

      I also want Ken he had a special relationship with Alex. I don’t watch when she is on she is not the right person for this Job

      1

  5. C

    CyanFries

    She's loud, full of herself and has an off putting smug superiority as though she doesn't have the answers right in front of her. I can't stand her.

    6 2

    1. B

      BlueGrapes

      I know this is petty....But her clothes and color of her clothes are usually awful.

      It's dumb, but it does bother me.

      1

  6. G

    GoldMustache

    I am a devoted fan and was a contestant with Art Fleming. It seems to me that this highly educated female needs tutoring in proper English grammar, such as "That's him!" That grammatical error fills the airwaves when she is on. It truly hurts my ears, is embarrassing, and is a shame.

    I rest my case for Ken Jennings, the perfect replacement for Alex Trebek.

    7 3

  7. G

    GoldBattery

    Mayim Bialik brings a friendly yet respectable presence to the set of Jeopardy!

    She keeps the pace well while sometimes injecting a bit good humor.

    I like the way she is able to engage the contestants and help them relax and focus on the game.

    There is room for improvement. She needs a better wardrobe.

    I'm less pleased with Ken Jennings' skill as a host. I thought Buzzy Cohen was fun and masterful.

    3 1

  8. C

    CyanLamp

    We have been Jeopardy fans longer then I care to say and our home prefers Ken. If Bialik becomes permanent we may need to find s new show.

    1

  9. P

    PurpleTrumpet

    I won't watch as long as Ken Jennings is host. He has no personality and no training for how to be in front of a camera. The permanent host should be someone who has media experience. Remember Alex Trebek was an experienced radio host before Lucille Ball recommended him for the Jeopardy job. Being a contestant is a heck of a lot different than being an engaging host. Jeopardy needs someone with experience who knows how to work with the cameras.

    6