‘Jeopardy!’ Host Ken Jennings Addresses Leaving Show & Big Change He’d Like To Make
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As another season of Jeopardy! comes to an end, host Ken Jennings has opened up about whether he can see himself staying on the show forever or if he might be tempted to step away after a few years at the helm.
Jennings, 51, has firmly cemented himself as host of the long-running show, following Alex Trebek‘s death from pancreatic cancer at the age of 80 in 2020.
The game show began with Art Fleming, who hosted from its inception in 1964 to 1979. When Jeopardy! became a syndicated show in 1984, Trebek took over the reins.
After Trebek’s death, there were temporary hosts until a permanent one could be named. Former producer Mike Richards served as the host for one week in 2021. Then, Mayim Bialik and Jennings were named cohosts from 2021 until 2023.
Bialik was then fired at the end of 2023, and Ken Jennings has been the sole host ever since. While promoting his appearance on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire Jennings took time out to chat with TV Insider about how long he thinks he will be the host of Jeopardy!, what he would change if anything, and his upcoming book release.
Do you think that you will host Jeopardy! for the rest of your life? Or do you have an endgame in mind?
The last host worked into his 80s. Traditionally, it’s not a job you retire from. I didn’t know at the time, but now that I have a few years under my belt, I think I understand why Alex wanted to do it. It’s just such an incredibly fun job. You’re playing along with the smartest folks and getting to see them do their thing up close. I really feel very lucky that I’m still part of the Jeopardy! family after all these years. And I have, I have no plans to hang it up.
If you were a showrunner or the boss of Jeopardy! Is there anything that you would change?
*chuckles* I do miss, and I don’t know how many decades it’s been, but there used to be a thing where the dollar amounts would appear on the board and the sound effect would be like ‘beep boop boop beep boop boop’ and we don’t have time for that sound effect anymore, apparently, but I miss it. I’m very nostalgic for that sound effect. I feel like our ratings would probably double just from that. I’m not an expert, but I’m just spitballing. I think we would double our ratings if we had the dollar amount sound effect back.
You also have a book coming out and a book tour coming up. What can fans expect from both book and the tour?
Oh yeah, I’ve been writing a trivia quiz called [The Complete] Kennections for well over a decade, first for Parade Magazine, that’s how long ago it was, and then for Mental Floss, and most of them are lost in the bowels of the internet or of newsprint now, so we’re doing a complete connections, 5000 trivia questions. I think they’re really fun to play along with. The book has a clever gimmick where you can make the quizzes easier or harder by using one of the cover flaps to hide part of the page. So that’s a fun angle. We’re just going to do, I think, the book signings are all going to be little mini Kennection game shows. We’ll get people to play along, and we don’t have Jeopardy!-sized prizes, much less Who Wants to be a Millionaire’s prize budget. Sorry. So no, no confetti will be falling from the ceiling at your local independent bookstore.
Jennings appeared on Who Wants to be a Millionaire? on Wednesday, July 23, with Matt Damon. The pair will finish their game, which ended at the $250,000 question, on July 30. Tune in at 8/7c on ABC to see if he goes all the way.
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Conversation80 Comments
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Comments are closed on this story.
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This headline is totally misleading. It makes it sound like Ken is going to be leaving Jeopardy! and making a big change in his life, when the story reveals just the opposite. I can't believe TV Insider is stooping to these tactics.
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Well, they do need to get you to click on the headline. Reality matters little. Clicks are everything.
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Click bait. 🎣
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Don't they all. Not like this is new. So what
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Welcome to social media "journalism" where not burying the lede is a fireable offense.
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Yall, I know. There are people who don't like Ken Jennings.They were hoping he would leave.
But seriously? We can't replace Alex, there is no replacement. Jennings is extremely intelligent, which you really need to be in this job. And he does have a good TV personality. Is he perfect? No. But none of us are.
I know that Alex would have approved of him. So let's support him and be proud that we found someone that will be able to usher in a new generation of Jeopardy viewers. Maybe our grandchildren will be still watching in another 50 years. 😃
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Your right and you can replace Pat Sajak and Bob Barker.
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They replaced Art Fleming, who wouldn't come back for the Jeopardy reboot because he thought the use of secondary clues cheapened the game.
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I believe that was probably Merv's decision about the clues. They also didn't bring back the announcer who introduced Art and the contestants in the first running.
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You can Replace Justina Machado.
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Compared to Bialek he has the response right away, she hesitated after each answer probably to get the rulings from the judge and it was annoying
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We love Ken Jennings and my husband and I hope he never leaves Jeopardy. We watch everyday!
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I'm so glad Ken isn't leaving. I've watched Jeopardy since I was a young girl (I'm now 70) and Ken is my favorite of the hosts.
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Bring back the buzzer when an individual has taken too long to answer.
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You right. The contestant should be given 3 or up to 5 seconds to answer the question if not " buzzer"....
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Or even just a mild "ding"?
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I remember that sound effect as well. I do think that there is time to include it, instead of the sound effect that is used now...
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But back in the days time would run out before all the clues were revealed. That almost never happens now.
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Ken is not only witty, but the source of wit in others. And when he kids the participants, he may very well reach back 10 or 15 minutes into the show to bring up earlier conversation. He's always listening, learning, synthesizing rather than going through questions on a mental clipboard.
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I Have watched Jeoarday
Since the beginning of jeopardy back in the day
With Art Fleming, and continued watching with Alex ; when Alex passed
Away , i watched with
The tempary hosts and with Ken Jennings first
As a temporary, and then with Ken as the full time host, I love Ken he is the
Best host since Alex
I am so happy to know
That Ken will still be host
Of Jeopardy
It has been Ken Jennings all the way for me
Ken thank you for staying
With Jeopardy as host
Thank you, job well done.
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Where is Holzhozer?
I miss him, but Matt Amodio is my favorite. Love Jennings too.
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They should let us hear what they are saying at the end of the show, don't know why they won't let us hear what is said, what's the big deal
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I wish they would go back to 5 day champ and then move on. I'm not a fan of the super champ staying game after game after game. And i don't like run aways, i want competition. Probably in the minority.
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I agree. A longtime winner becomes less interesting g to watch.
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I love the super champs. It was exciting watching people like James, Mattea and Matt, among others, play the game and play it well. To me it is boring when they have a new champion every single day.
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Mattea yes, but this little arrogant p..ck who can finish his biology test while sleeping and get an A......please...... He is the reason I stop watching the game until he is kicked out by another contestant.
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By keeping the existing format, there is hope someone will eventually beat Ken’s record.
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I 100% agree! Some nights we actually turn it off halfway through because it’s so lopsided. I don’t feel it’s fair to other contestants to not have any chance at all of winning.
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I'm with you. There is some fun in the super champs but I like the rotation more
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Bring back the buzzer
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Ken was the obvious and best choice as host. I don't know what the producers were thinking when they considered an actor for the job - she was a disaster from the beginning. I love Ken's warmth, humor, and his genuine liking and respect for the players. A winner all the way!
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As nice a guy that Alex was, Ken has much more knowledge and has played the game. His interaction with the contestants also blows Alex out of the water.
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Agree. Alex came well prepared, but Ken actually knows the material.
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Ken has also worked hard to improve his pronunciation of foreign words, something Alex was very good at. Apart from saying long lived with a long I....argh!
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I'm sick of the new "pop culture" format. I grew up learning important info from the questions. Not info only geared to TV shows, pop music, obscure teenage fan topics. Let's quit dumbing down America.
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Matt Damon has proven that the bearded look is not for everyone.
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Total click bait.
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They made a mistake in stopping previewing the next game's contestants. After thinking, I may not watch the next game, for whatever reason, I've changed my mind when I've seen that a local, to me, player is among the next game's players.
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https://www.jeopardy.com/track
You can look ahead to the week's contestants including location (or listing 'originally') as of whatever time Monday mornings
Just beware not to view the page 11pm EST as spoils will occur if you hadn't seen the show yet
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I miss that sound effect as well. It gave the show character. Removing it seems to go right along with all the restaurant chains that have rid themselves of the things that make them unique, such as Outback Steakhouse's vagabond kangaroo, Taco Bell's sleeping sombrero-wearing dude, Burger King's crown-wearing guy, McD's Ronald McDonald. We have been forced also to say goodbye to Aunt Jemima, Land O'Lakes Indian maiden, etc.
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Not to mention Uncle Ben. Oh, but if Trump has his way, the Washington Redskins name could return (not that I care either way)!
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He is an excellent host why would you change him
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I agree with Elena. That tease was totally misleading. TV Insider is stooping to the fake news promoted by so much of the "press". Sticking with the facts would improve reliability and trust.
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Only fans
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Alex was a wooden soldier. He had to be fed ALL the Answers, had NO personality at all... meeting him in person soured me for decades in abject disappointment. Loved Miyam Bialik, her intelligence coupled with warmth was refreshing indeed - but discrimination roosts. At least Ken has a first class brain & some wit to contribute, thus am back in watching mode. Also love The Chaser, he's the fun one! Clues are getting way, way too obscure though... it's much harder than necessary.
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The producers have tried to soften his image but his arrogance about being so-so-so intelligent still dominates his approach.
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Actually Ken Jennings killed my love of Jeopardy. I try to watch because I want to hear the questions but Jennings gives off the vibe like he knows all the answers and is having a hard time keeping them in. Trebek never acted like he knew more than the contestants.
I had great hopes for Levar Burton but he bombed unfortunately. So I don't have a good suggestion for a replacement.
I would just love to not have to listen to pompous Jennings whiny voice. Much prefer a deeper smoother voice that my ears can understand.
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I know that I’m going to get a lot of people angry with what I’m about to say, but here goes. I prefer Ken to Alex. Alex could be very snarky when someone got an answer wrong, and he belittled the person who would be going first in Double Jeopardy, always pointing out that they were in last place. Ken never talks down to anyone.
Also I think people were cruel in their comments about Mayim.
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I think longevity would mattered more. He can count real good,though, such an error was actually dishonest... nothing can be disciplined if he did....
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I am glad you still use the think music, if that changed the show wouldn't be the same
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Ive heard so much crap about how people want Sony to fire Ken, but he does a good job with it and fans are now used to his face. Alex is gone RIP Alex. I'm with you Ken. I watch when I can.
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I love that Ken mentioned the sound when the clue dollars are populating. I have watched since I was very young in the early 70's and drive my wife nuts by making the sounds every night when we watch. 😁
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Nobody can do the job like Alex Trebek, but Ken does an amazing job hosting!
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I sure hope that Ken Jennings does not leave jeopardy as the host and he is doing a terrific job and I don't know if I will continue to watch jeopardy if Ken Jennings decides to leave 😀 and I once again am just hoping that he will continue to stay as the host 😀 and thanks 😊
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Hosting any show is a challenge but Jeopardy requires a unique and sharp individual, and Ken is one of the rare able to do it.
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I would love to see this on Jeopardy. If a contestant wins 5 consecutive games, then they have to play in a one-on-one competition against Ken. That would be a pisser.
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Ken Jennings Leaving Jeopardy, Justina Machado to Take Over
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Ken should be careful. Both previous permanent hosts died of pancreatic cancer. Might be something in the podium. Conversely, both permanent announcers (Don Pardo and Johnny Gilbert) worked into their 90s.
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I Love Ken Jennings. When Alex passed - Jen is the only choice that made sense, and he is so personable. He always looks like he is having fun. The girl from 90210 was awful! Glad she is gone.
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If you mean Mayim Bialik, as far as I know she wasn't on 90210. She was on Big Bang Theory.
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wish they would print the answer on the screen like they used to for ole deaf people
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Can’t get spam deleted
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How could anybody not like Ken Jennings?
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Please stay Ken. If you leave we k ow what comes next. Enough.
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It would be nice if they would still allow for co-Champions that they could both come back the next day. I don’t like the one question sudden death.
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I never liked Ken . I thought Mayim was perfect for the show. I would like to see her or someone else do the tournaments and celebrity shows. Nothing against Ken personally, I just don’t like him as host.
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I see your point, but you're wrong. She was far too giddy. I know she's smart but not Ken's smart. That said, I liked her on Big bang theory.
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After 10 wins send them home as a champion and call them back for championship games. Getting sick of the current champions smug I know more than you attitude. No longer fun to watch with continuous runaways.
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I wish they would flash the response across the screen because oftentimes it is not audible. For me, the show opens the door to a wealth of information. I'm happy with Jennings. Also, two weeks of winning is enough. Thank you. I try to watch every night and I record it.
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YES! Bring back the beeb boops! Cut 12 seconds from the interviews if you need to in order to fit it in.
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I was hoping he would be leaving the show. He has the personality of a rock. Why does he get to decide how much time a contestant has to answer ? What a disappointment this article is. We have been watching jeopardy forever and now we aren’t sure how much longer we can tolerate Ken Jennings.
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Scam
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LOL...no, you didn't.
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I still like Mayim back !
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Scott, current 15 game winner would make a good ' fill- in' host.
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I feel that KEN Jennings should compete on Jeopardy once again. This show would be a winner with hundred of thousands watching.
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I'd make it a rule that every contestant starts at the top and goes down chronologically. Even Alex wanted this, and the questions lend themselves from top to bottom.
I'd also go back to after five wins, the champion goes away until the Tournament of Champions. It is way too boring seeing the same person winning day after day.
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If Ken leaves, they need to get Brooke Burns to be the new host...
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Mike Richards should be the permanent host on Jeopardy. He was the best after Alex
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Darn! You got my hopes up that he was finally leaving! Never liked him.
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