Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings ‘at risk of being axed’ by show executives to boost ratings

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings’ role as host on the game show might be at risk for one specific reason as lately there have been whispers about Ken possibly being replaced

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings’ role on the game show might be at risk for one specific reason.

Lately, there have been whispers about Ken possibly being replaced. Rumors suggest Jeopardy! producers aren’t sure if they’ll keep the former game show champ on the show as they’re checking out other options. Since Wheel of Fortune’s ratings have spiked due to American Idol host Ryan Seacrest taking over for longtime host Pat Sajak, Jeopardy! executives are said to be taking notes.

Ken kicked off Season 41 of Jeopardy! solo as he’s now the only show host following his ex co-host Mayim Bialik’s firing in 2023.

Despite Ken holding down the fort as sole host since then, and developing a fan base of supporters, Jeopardy! higher-ups reportedly aren’t completely all-in for him. Rather than have Ken host the spinoff game show series Pop Culture Jeopardy!, they tapped Saturday Night Live star Colin Jost to fill the position.

Ken has been sole host of Jeopardy! since last year (Image: Disney)

Colin’s celebrity will add a new dimension to the game show world, much like Family Feud host Steve Harvey and The Price Is Right host Drew Carey have. With hosts who are already famous in the entertainment world taking on game show gigs, this might impact Ken’s position given producers rumoredly are waiting to see how Colin does.

This might impact Ken’s future on the decades-long original series. As Ryan continues to draw in viewers on Wheel of Fortune, it may convince Jeopardy! producers to bring in a celebrity to boost Jeopardy! ratings also. Slowly, but surely, it seems that Jeopardy! executives are trying to revamp their show in more ways than one.

While Jeopardy! isn’t getting a full remodel, the beloved program has introduced a new game board. The revitalized game board is going to show all of the 60 clues, six categories, and dollar amounts, which Jeopardy! viewers can see as they watch at home.

This upgraded game board marks the first time in years that there has been a board replacement on Jeopardy!. In addition to the board adjustments, there will no longer be individual monitors, instead, there will be an electronic screen, similar to Wheel of Fortune’s revamped puzzle board.

“I don’t know if folks know, one of the exciting things about the Pop Culture set is the debut of the electronic board,” Inside Jeopardy! podcast co-host Sam Buttrey revealed. “Yes, this was where you first got to get a look at that game board,” Foss confirmed. “No longer 36 monitors; a single, giant game board.”