Ken Jennings is in hot water after making a joke about elderly people that Jeopardy! fans felt was in poor taste. The incident occurred during the episode on Thursday, November 9, when contestant Jen Jazwinski shared a bit about her own grandmother.
Jeopardy! is in the midst of its Champions Wildcard tournament, one of the game show’s increasing number of themed events. This one was in response to the recently resolved writers’ strike, which saw the game show cancel its scheduled playoff of new participants in favor of bringing back contestants from season 37; questions are a combination of clues written before the strike and ones used in the past.
Ken Jennings makes a comment about the elderly that sparks a strong reaction
Since this Champions Wildcare tournament has recruited past contestants, this isn’t Jen’s first time on the show. Years ago, she competed on Jeopardy! and received extensive support from her grandmother, which to this day Jen considers extremely important to her during that time of unprecedented fun and pressure.
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“When I did that, her entire home where she lives was watching,” shared Jen during Thursday’s game, “and they stood and gave her a standing ovation during that part of the show. So that was a really special moment for her and for me.”
In response, Jennings tried for a joke, “That’s great. And that means a lot in assisted living. Standing up…not easy…for all those people, I would assume.”
Jennings and the time with contestants
Different hosts across game shows take on their own approach to running the program. The late Alex Trebek asserted that the audience was the real star of the show and so he acted as a way to bolster the players. Many game shows have time set aside for the host and players to chat and share personal anecdotes. In fact, contestants are encouraged to come ready with interesting personal stories.
Jennings has said likened his approach to hosting more closely with that of Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak than Trebek. “Alex was such a genius at being the host of Jeopardy! you really cannot do better than that,” Jennings emphasized before adding, “But as a kid I was always like, ‘Pat’s more fun, Pat jokes around with the three people.'”
@Jeopardy Really? Nothing like a little casual ageism from @KenJennings – it’s difficult for people in assisted living to stand up? Disappointed.
— Don Draper (@MarionClare04) November 10, 2023
So, that has been his approach to hosting. But for Jennings, just like with Sajak, it on occasion lands him in hot water.
“@Jeopardy Really? Nothing like a little casual ageism from @KenJennings,” one user condemned on Twitter. “He should apologize,” another agreed, “@Jeopardy He promotes himself as a good Mormon NOT.”
How would you like Jennings to move forward from this?
