Ken Jennings Details Intense Moment He Wanted To Leave ‘Jeopardy!’

Ken Jennings is detailing the intense moment when he wanted to leave his hosting gig at Jeopardy! He has been helming the hit game show since 2021 after the legendary Alex Trebek passed away. So, what would have made him want to give it all up? Keep reading for more details.

Ken Jennings Details Moment He Wanted To Leave Jeopardy!

In 2019, Alex Trebek was diagnosed with cancer but he was determined to keep hosting Jeopardy! Nothing was going to stop him until he sadly passed in 2020. That was when it was time to start auditioning new potential hosts. Males and females of all genres tried out for the position and ultimately, the EP of the show was chosen. He then lost the job quite quickly due to an offensive interview that resurfaced. So, they needed a replacement and that was where former show champion, Ken Jennings came into play.
Ken Jennings-YouTube
He was teamed up with actress, Mayim Bialik to help him co-host which seemed like a good idea at the time. They would alternate and do different versions of the show like Tournament of Champions and Celebrity Jeopardy! However, there was one moment when Ken first hosted that he wanted to leave. According to Parade, it was right after Alex Trebek passed away. Everyone was feeling the loss and was extremely emotional. At the beginning of Ken’s first episode, he was giving a speech about the legendary Trebek. Admittedly, it was immensely hard to get through and the pain was palpable.

As Ken spoke, he began to feel that he did not want to be there. More so, he noted that no one wanted him there, and was ready to give up the gig. The emotions were just too much:

“Everybody there was very emotional, and I had to be the one talking through it, even though I probably knew him least of all 100 people on set, crew and the staff. It was very scary. You’re aware that the audience does not want you there. They’re like me, they want the other guy, and I was missing him too. I’m like, ‘I don’t want to be here. I would give anything to not be here right now.’”

Despite any criticism Ken Jennings got about not being Alex or any fears he had, he ended up staying. This has been the best decision ever as fans have come to love and respect Ken for who he is.

A Unique Host

Ken Jennings has made the Jeopardy! gig his own. Alex Trebek never met the contestants until he walked out onto the stage for filming. However, Ken takes the time to meet and greet them beforehand. He also had to co-host for the first few years with Mayim Bialik. They were constantly being compared to each other until she was let go. Mayim opted to sit the show out during the writer’s strike which led into the SAG-AFTRA strike. That was when production realized they did not need two hosts and were doing just fine with one.

Are you shocked that Ken almost left his job and are you happy that he stuck around? Let us know in the comments below.