Ken Jennings I had a moment while hosting “Jeopardy!” When he didn't want to be part of the show anymore.
During an interview with rolling stone, Jennings admitted that when he was asked to take over for Alex Trebek after his death in 2020, he wasn't worried about his first episode.
He was more concerned about the grief and mourning he and the show's crew experienced over the loss of Trebek.
'risk!' References Mayim Bialik on Idea one year after she was fired
Ken Jennings' worst moment in “Jeopardy!” That was when Alex Trebek took over. (Getty Images)
“Everyone there was so emotional, and I had to be the one to talk through him, even though I probably knew him the least out of all the 100 people on set, the cast and staff. It was very scary. You realize the audience does that “They don't want you there. They're like me, they want the other guy, and I was missing him too. 'I don't want to be here. I'll do anything I can to not be here right now,'” Jennings told the outlet.
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“risk!” Showrunner Michael Davis told Rolling Stone that the original plan after Trebek's death was to rotate between several hosts to lead the show, but Jennings stood out among the potential candidates.
“They're like me, they want the other guy, and I was missing him too. I'd say to myself: 'I don't want to be here.' “I would give anything not to be here right now.”
Alex Trebek was the host of “Jeopardy!” From 1984 to 2020. (AP)
“I saw the look the contestants would have when he walked out on stage. Or I saw his fit with the material,” Davis said. “I remember at some point, someone came in and gave the wrong answer, and they said: 'Who is Gainsborough?' “Oh, no, I'm sorry, he's Gainsborough's big rival,” he said, mentioning another mystery artist, “It was just a moment, (but) who on earth but Ken Jennings could have that moment?”
In 2021, Jennings and Mayim Bialik were named as the show's new permanent hosts. In December 2023, Bialik announced that she had been laid off from the job.
Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik shared hosting duties on “Jeopardy!” After Trebek's death. (Fox via Getty Images)
Jennings also shared that he discussed the idea of taking over the game show with Trebek, saying the first time was when he talked to him about recording a segment for his 2020 audio book.
“This was the first time I had a conversation with him about passing the torch, and even that was completely unspoken,” Jennings said.
Jennings's career With “Danger!” I started 20 years ago as a racer. Over the course of 74 consecutive matches, Jennings has won more than $2.5 million.
In his interview with Rolling Stone he addressed the future of “Jeopardy!” He said the game show has the power to “unite” people.
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Ken Jennings won $2.5 million as a contestant on “Jeopardy!” (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
“'risk!' “It's a strangely unifying thing,” Jennings said. “Young people, old people, red states, blue states — it's an institution that has this universal appeal.” And whoever the anti-science, anti-fake news, whatever forces are, they seem to have some sculpture for “Jeopardy!” Maybe because it's a game?
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“This is where no one says: Why are you doing a class about dinosaurs? Dinosaurs aren't real.” Or: “Why do you mention the moon landing? We've never been to the moon.” For whatever reason, “Jeopardy!” “They seem to be immune to that, which is probably a good sign.”
