Ken Jennings doesn't want his job to be put at risk.
The game show wunderkind-turned-host, 50, is reportedly “desperately” trying to hang on to his “Jeopardy!” hosting duties while fending off criticism of his on-air performance and rumors that he may be replaced by “Saturday Night Live” star Colin Jost, 42, who was just announced as host of the iconic series' new spinoff, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!”
“[Ken is] “He's desperate to make it work and has no intention of quitting of his own accord,” the source revealed. Closer Weekly.
“Ken is well aware of the commotion and rumors and would admit this is a tough time for him personally, especially with Colin Jost taking over as host of Pop Culture Jeopardy! and fans calling him awkward,” the source added.
“But he claims he takes some of the blame,” the source continued. “He didn't write the lines, pick the questions or the contestants and he's not going to be made a scapegoat!”
A source said Jennings was upset by rumors he might be replaced by Jost and “will not accept this treatment. He has called for more cooperation from his boss and warned people not to drag their feet.”
Jost gained attention for his humorous chronicle of his health problems in Tahiti while covering the 2024 Olympic surfing events, in which he revealed he contracted other infections from stepping on a coral reef.
“Ken doesn't understand why viewers think this is all his fault, because it's not. He thinks other people need to take responsibility. He's done playing Mr. Nice Guy!”
Jennings, a former Jeopardy! contestant and longest-running winner, became a guest host in 2021 following the death of the show's original legendary host, Alex Trebek. He became the show's sole host for season 40, which began in September 2023, but reportedly does not have a long-term contract.
Jeopardy! fans have been relentless in their criticism of Jennings, who has been lambasted for a variety of shortcomings, including not accepting answers that are one letter off or mispronounced, allowing guests to correct him and telling jokes about older people that many found vulgar.
Jennings should be relieved to know that Sony, which produces the long-running game show, has no plans to fire him, he said. Rice SanHowever, it has also been reported that they are “keeping their options open.”
“Knowing Sony Pictures TV executives, an on-air mistake would be the last thing they would want to fire Ken Jennings for,” the source said.
“The only real reason to replace Ken would be if the ratings plummeted, which hasn't happened yet,” the source added. “The show is stable.”
Meanwhile, not everyone is sold on Jost joining the “Jeopardy!” universe with a new pop-culture-focused offshoot. But the “SNL” comedian had the best say about taking on his new job: “I'm excited.”
According to an official announcement made in July, “Pop Culture Jeopardy!” will follow the series' famous “answers and questions” format but with a twist.
“Contestants will be split into teams of three and compete in a tournament-style showdown to be the last one standing. To win, they will need to have a wide range of pop culture knowledge, from alternative rock to The Avengers, Broadway to mixed martial arts, Gen Z to Zendaya,” a press release revealed.
