“Danger!” host Ken Jennings celebrates the long-running game show’s wide appeal to viewers.
In a new interview with “CBS Sunday Morning,” Jennings said, “The great thing about ‘Jeopardy!’ is the weird thing about it.” “It’s kind of universally popular. Old people like ‘Jeopardy!’ and young people like ‘Jeopardy!’ – red states and blue states alike. It’s oddly universal.”
He added, “America still agrees that there are about 30 minutes each day when facts matter, and we are allowed to actually decide whether things are right or wrong based on science and history.” “And I think that’s an important bulwark.” ”
Jennings reflected on his longtime interest in game shows, which began as a Mormon kid growing up in South Korea.
“Danger!” host Ken Jennings told “CBS Sunday Morning” that the show is “strangely universal” and is “a daily half-hour where facts matter.” (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
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“I think it was actually the gameplay itself,” he said of their appeal. “It was a version of the world that had clearly defined rules, and you could see some of the rules and understand the format. And as a kid dealing with a chaotic world, game shows were different. .You know, most of the questions can be answered.”
After racking up a record 74 consecutive wins and a total of $2.5 million, Jennings was chosen to host the show.
“I think it’s kind of like the plot of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,’ where the retiring leader of the franchise takes, you know, five little boys and girls and decides which one of them really wants his chocolate.” “I’ll make you see who you love the most. And I was. I didn’t get sucked into a pipe or something,” he joked.
Jennings said that taking over the hosting duties felt “like the plot of ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.’ (Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty Images)
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Jennings began sharing hosting duties with Mayim Bialik in 2021 as part of the show’s audition process following the death of Alex Trebek. In 2022, they were announced as the new permanent hosts, taking turns hosting regular episodes and tournaments, while Bialik took on the sole role of hosting “Celebrity Jeopardy!”
Bialik announced she would be leaving the show in December 2023, and Jennings has been playing the role solo ever since.
Jennings shared hosting duties with Mayim Bialik for a while before taking over full-time in 2023. (Photo courtesy of FOX via Getty Images)
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He told “CBS Sunday Morning” that even after watching Trebek for many years and later playing together, he still looks to him for guidance.
“If I were at the beach, I would think, ‘What would Alex do here?'” Jennings said. “And in many cases, it was about doing less.”
Jennings said he still draws on Trebek’s example as host of “Jeopardy!” (Jeopardy Productions, Getty Images)
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Jennings continued, “He had this amazing minimalistic light touch and never wanted the focus to be on himself, which is such a rare and beautiful thing in show business. I still feel that way. I want to be Alex.” When I grow up, it’s Trebek because I don’t think anyone could do that job better than him. ”
