Roush Review: On ‘Jeopardy!,’ the Show Goes on With Ken Jennings
Jeopardy! will never be the same.
Jeopardy! will always be the same.
That comforting realization was brought home Monday night, when “Greatest of All Time” champion Ken Jennings stepped into the role that Alex Trebek had so capably and indelibly performed for decades, a nightly balm of wit and wisdom as the longtime host of TV’s greatest quiz show ever.
Introduced as “guest host” by stalwart announcer Johnny Gilbert, Jennings stepped into the spotlight he and we had hoped never would be necessary, assuming the temporary-for-now position with humility, dignity — and, even better, enthusiasm.
“Sharing the stage with Alex Trebek was one of the greatest honors of my life,” Jennings said with visible emotion as he took the stage. “Not many things in life are perfect, but Alex did this job pretty much perfectly for more than 36 years, and it was even better up close. We were dazzled by his intelligence, his charm, his grace —really, there’s no other word for it.”
Jennings may not be everyone’s perfect choice, but I knew that the millions of fans, and the show itself, were in good hands when eventual champ Tanay Kothari lost it all in the first round, by going for a “true Daily Double” and missing it, only for Jennings to encourage him that it was still early in the game and all was not lost. Just like Alex would have done.
His rapport with the contestants was friendly, funny, and smart, and Jennings kept the game moving with skill, peppered with bits of the kind of offhand knowledge Trebek excelled at.
“Let’s be totally clear. No one will ever replace the great Alex Trebek,” Kennings noted in his introduction. “But we can honor him by playing the game he loved.”
We who love Jeopardy! can rest easy knowing that whoever eventually takes the helm full time, the game will never change. What is a cause for celebration?
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The producers knew what they were doing. This was exactly the right way to do the first show after Alex Trebek's passing, and Ken Jennings was the right choice for that moment.
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I think Ken did a fabulous job today. He's has a similar style as Alex and his knowledge base and demeanor are the perfect balance. I hope he is the permanent host.
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Long time watcher, I think Ken Jennings did a very good job. I would say that Ken Jennings fit right in. Alex trebek would be proud of him. I will continue to watch Jeopardy.
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G
Fabulous job by Ken Jennings, The right direction. We will forever miss Alex
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P
Ken Jennings is the perfect new host of Jeopardy! I do realize that they're billing him as "temporary", but I hope the producers are smart enough to make him the permanent host. I'm sure Alex has been smiling down on him this week.
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O
The search should be over ken Jennings is the best fit for jeopardy host he is awesome!!!!
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C
Love Ken Jennings. He is doing a great job as host of Jeopardy.
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i think Ken Jennings is the right man for the job He respects the job and the contestants He is not trying to be the start, the game is
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I watch Jeopardy every evening. Ken Jennings is a perfect host. Over the past several weeks he has slowed down his comments, which makes is easier to follow. His knowledge of the categories is great and I hope he is the permanent host. Who better than the all time champ of Jeopardy? While the other potential hosts may be good, can they really bring credibility to the show? Aaron Rogers? Katie Curic etc? Really? Don't insult the viewers intelligence. The host should be as smart or smarter than the contestants.
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I believe Ken is the obvious choice and I believe that’s who Alex wanted. Wishing him much he’s doing an outstanding job.
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I think he is doing an awesome job. They should make him the new host hands down.
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B
I think Ken is doing the best job! I wish his voice was a little stronger but he obviously did his homework and I think he is a natural. I would be happy if they just keep him.
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P
Ken is doing a GREAT job...Alex would be proud of him! 😊
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O
Jeopardy needs to keep Ken Jennings. If they have some of the controversial guest hosts, I won’t watch!
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P
Ken is doing a good job. He does speak a little fast and I hope he slows down a bit making it more personable and warmer feeling! Not so recited phrases. I hear Katie Couric ? Has signed up but feel it is not her place! I would not watch. Jennings will be improving and becoming more confident! It’s not easy to fill Alex Shoes!
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After watching the first week, it's obvious that he has the show down pat. I'm not quite sure how he made the transition so adeptly, but then he won over 70 games in a row, so I shouldn't even be mildly surprised.
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O
I think Ken Jennings did a fair job, talks way to fast and lacked the compassion that Alex portrayed. That compassion is what made the show. SLOW DOWN KEN SO WE CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT YOURE SAYING.
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Ken gets better every week & looks very comfortable hosting. Hope he stays.
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C
Liked Ken Jennings, got better each episode. Will stop watching when Katie Couric is guest host.
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O
Ken is doing a great job and should be made the permanent host. The others on the list of possible hosts don't have the experience, live of the game and doubt the knowledge that Ken
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C
Ken Jennings is doing VERY WELL. The gets better each night! Hope they give him the title "Host of Jeopardy.
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G
Too fast now. Monotone. Want personality.
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G
Ken does not have the personality or the voice to be the host of the show. He is soooo boring. I like Ken, he was a great contestant but I truly hope they find someone else to be the host. maybe Levar Burton????
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G
I like Ken Jennings and his easy style with the contestants. Please keep him permanently. No Katie Couric or Anderson Cooper please. I will not watch them. They are too inflammatory.
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C
By the way, when Pat Sajak hosted the show one year on April Fool's Day he did smashing, they should give him a chance, it's obvious he's bored with Wheel.
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I probably would stop watching with a female host
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I think he’s doing a great job. Keep him. Would be wierd to have female host it
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I think Ken Jennings is doing great. But he needs to slow down his down his speech.
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Love Ken as host!
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Ken did a very very good job. He should be the host ,and nobody else. Specially not dr.Oz omg he is no good ,will not watch at all while its him
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WE LOVE THIS SHOW AND WE TRULY LOVED ALEX. I THINK KEN JENNINGS MAKES THE PERFECT HOST. HE HAS SUCH GREAT KNOWLEDGE AND DID A FANTASTIC JOB DURING HIS TIME AS THE HOST. WE ARE HOPING HE BECOMES THE PERMANENT HOST AS TO IT IS A VERY HARD SPOT TO FILL. HE JUST SEEMS SO NATURAL AS TO THE PERFECT FIT FOR THE JOB. FINGERS CROSSED.
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Katie Couric(sorry if I misspelled) is putting me to sleep. Too chilled out personality with a monotoned voice. I'm sure she's probably a nice person but this is just not a good fit for her.
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G
Tonight's, February 22, new guest host proved to me that Ken Jennings is not the right fit. He has absolutely no personality, his trying to actually act like a host is bland. The show tonight was full of personality, energy and was awake not sleepy. If Ken Jennings becomes the permanent host, the show just might not survive. The host tonight has chutzpah....look that one up. Ken is boring, lacks energy, and is a very poor host.
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C
Ken Jennings did a way better job of hosting jeopardy than this guy. Within the first 30 seconds, I felt as if I were in a sales meeting. He doesn't have that comfortable persona that the audience and contestants can relate to as Ken Jennings does. This guy, too much salesman. That's just who he is. You could wrap him up in 100 fleece blankets and the guy would still come across as a cold.
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C
The new host’s flat dull, boring presence does nothing to enliven or lighten the show - Not good without insights and humor.
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G
there are many people who i would rather see host than Ken. Levar Burton would make a great host or Mike Rowe from dirty jobs, now he has a commanding voice. Anyone with half a personality would work. Ken is just too plain and boring
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I agree 100%. Ken is a great guy but he is boring and plain.
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ugh, If Ms Couric hosts the show I for one will not watch it because according to her, I belong in a re-education camp because I am a republican. Jeopardy will lose many fans if they let that idiot tv personality host the show.
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I can't stomach some of the awful things Jennings has posted on Twitter. He's pretty out there. I wonder why a PoC wasn't considered over KJ, would be a nice change. Went from WM to WM. 👎👎👎
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I think he could do an even better job if he didn't feel he needs to follow Alex's format. He needs to make it his own. Many times when a contestant answers, he seems hesitant in responding. As if he's not sure the answer is correct.
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C
I do love the faintly disgusted looks Jennings tries not to give when all three contestants fail to ring in on an absurdly easy 'question.' Remember cane toad?? And others...hilarious.
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Why isn't Buzzy Cohen on the list to host the show? My vote's for Buzzy. I've lost interest in Jeopardy since Alex isn't hosting, the show needs someone with character.
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O
I question why Ken Jennings says “we were looking for ....” when there is an incorrect answer given. That implies that there are multiple answers available, but they were looking for a different one.
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P
I like Ken Jennings but he needs to change his voice. He is very irritating since his voice is so high. I will no longer watch the show. His voice is so annoying
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how many game shows does ken jennings need to host ?
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Jennings speaks too fast and find he is hard to understand. Could not watch the whole show. His words run together.
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I'm sure he was a bit nervous and when people are nervous in that sort of environment, they tend to speak too fast. I'm sure he will get used to it. Until then...I hope he does get the permanent slot..
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