Ken Jennings does not want his job to be in jeopardy.
The game show wunderkind-turned-host, 50, is reportedly “desperate” to keep his emcee gig at “Jeopardy!” as he fends off criticism of his on-air performance and rumors that he’ll be replaced by “Saturday Night Live” star Colin Jost, 42, who was just announced as the host of the iconic series’ new spinoff, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!”
“[Ken is] desperate to make it work and has no intention of leaving of his own accord,” a source revealed to Closer Weekly.
“Ken’s well aware of the noise and tittle-tattle, and privately he would acknowledge these are tough times – especially with Colin Jost coming on to host ‘Pop Culture Jeopardy!’ and fans calling him awkward, which is hard to take,” the insider added.
“But he’s insisting there’s a share of blame here,” the source continued. “He doesn’t write the lines or pick the questions and contestants, and won’t be made a scapegoat!”
Reportedly upset by the rumors he might be ousted for Jost, the source said Jennings “won’t take this treatment. He’s calling on bosses to be more supportive and warning people not to trip him up.”
Jost drew headlines with his hilarious segments documenting his health struggles in Tahiti while covering the 2024 Olympic surfing events. He shared that he stepped on a coral reef, which led to other infections.
“Ken doesn’t understand why viewers think this is all his fault, because it’s not. He believes others need to take responsibility. He’s done playing Mr. Nice Guy!”
Jennings, a former “Jeopardy!” contestant who holds the record for the longest consecutive winning streak, became a guest co-host in 2021 following the death of the show’s original and legendary host, Alex Trebek. He became the show’s sole host for Season 40 when it began in September 2023. However, he reportedly does not have a long-term contract.
“Jeopardy!” fans have been unsparing in their criticism of Jennings. He’s received backlash for an array of foibles – not accepting an answer that was one letter off, accepting an answer that was mispronounced, allowing a guest to correct themselves and making a joke about the elderly that many deemed tasteless … to name a few.
Jennings should be relieved to know that Sony, which produces the long-running game show, has no plans to fire Jennings, according to The US Sun, though they are reportedly “keeping their options open.”
“Knowing the leadership at Sony Pictures TV, the last reason they would fire Ken Jennings is because of on-air mistakes,” an insider shared.
“Instead, the only real reason to replace Ken is if the ratings took a nosedive, and that hasn’t happened yet,” the source added. “The show is holding steady.”
Meanwhile, not everyone is sold on Jost’s joining the “Jeopardy!” universe in a new pop-culture focused offshoot. But the “SNL” funnyman had the best possible comment on landing his new gig: “What is: I’m excited.”
According to an official announcement released in July, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” will continue the franchise’s famed “answer-and-question” format but add a twist.
“The contestants will play in teams of three and compete to be the last players standing in the tournament-style showdown. To walk away with the grand prize, they’ll have to know a wide-range of pop culture knowledge, “from Alternative Rock to The Avengers; Broadway to MMA; Gen Z to Zendaya,” a press release revealed.
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