After the tragic passing of former Jeopardy! Longtime host Alex Trebek in November 2020, following a battle with pancreatic cancer, the question of who would succeed him as host became a major topic of discussion. In September 2021, Sony Pictures Television announced that Ken Jennings, the show’s most famous champion, would share hosting duties with Mayim Bialik before eventually becoming the sole permanent host in 2023, a post he has held since then.
In a recent interview, Jennings reflected on his role as host of the long-running show and the anxiety he faced when he was chosen to replace the legendary Trebek. Jennings also mentioned a proud tradition of Alex Trebek’s that he has continued as Jeopardy! host.
Ken Jennings says it was difficult stepping into Alex Trebek’s shoes
During a conversation with People while making an appearance at the TCM Classic Film Festival opening night screening of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back on April 24, Jennings opened up about the challenges he faced stepping into Trebek’s shoes after the beloved host’s passing. He admitted it was an emotionally difficult transition, as fans were used to Trebek as the face of the show for nearly four decades. He confessed that he initially felt incapable of taking the position because the late host had been his idol.
However, the 50-year-old explained that he was able to navigate the role by relying on his years of watching Trebek host the game show, often asking himself what the legend would do in each situation he encountered. Over time, with more experience under his belt, Jennings stated that he has grown more comfortable in the role, even though he still holds deep respect for his predecessor’s legacy.
Ken Jennings says ‘Jeopardy!’ will not witness any significant change
Despite being on the show for a while, Jennings disclosed his commitment to maintaining Jeopardy! ‘s longstanding traditions and format. He humorously dismissed the idea, noting that the show’s fans placed a high premium on the existing traditions and would not be keen to have any changes introduced.
The showrunner also noted that, like his predecessor, Trebek, he is keeping up with the culture of playing Turner Classic Movies in the dressing room. Jennings explained that this had been a constant practice, which he grew up watching as a fan of the show.