Jeopardy!’s Ken Jennings reveals ‘hallucinatory’ moment on show and how producers tested him when he became host

KEN Jennings has shared new details about hosting Jeopardy!, including his most surreal moment and the boot camp-style training he underwent.

The former champion, 50, opened up about being the face of the game show in a new interview with CBS News.

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Ken Jennings spoke about growing into his role as Jeopardy! hostCredit: CBS News

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The G.O.A.T contestant won a still-record 74 games before being named hostCredit: Getty

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He revealed to CBS that he was put through mock games to test if he ‘would do the right thing’ on the flyCredit: CBS News

Ken sat down with Luke Burbank to discuss going from a famed Jeopardy! contestant to the permanent host.

Ken was not initially selected for the hosting role.

Ken and Mayim Bialik were initially announced as co-hosts in July 2022, succeeding the late great Alex Trebek.

Mayim was let go from the series in December 2023, and he became the sole host.

Donning a casual quarter zip and ungelled hair, Ken revealed that his early hosting days involved some rigorous training.

‘PRETEND CONTESTANTS’

“There actually was some dress rehearsal. They had the writers of the show pretend to be contestants,” he shared in the video.

“And they would start out being well-mannered contestants,” he explained. “So I could get in the rhythm of it.

“Then they would start to push the envelope a little and do subtly wrong things to try to see if I would do the right thing.”

He touched on the overall pressure of the role; “Because the host of Jeopardy! has to wear a lot of hats at once.

“You’re trying to be a perfect narrator for the show, but you’re also the referee, shape the pace of it a bit like an orchestra conductor, frame the story of the game like a play-by-play announcer.”

‘HALLUCINATORY’

Ken added that he’s keen on becoming the next Alex, even if it still feels surreal to be announced as host every night.

“Alex made it look easy… at a very hard job.”

“When I hear [announcer] Johnny [Gilbert] say my name, that’s hallucinatory, by the way.

“Every day, I expect him to say, ‘The host of Jeopardy! Alex Trebek,’ but he says my name, and I have to talk out there.

“It’s an honor.”

“I really want the show to succeed and have the same profile it had during Alex’s years,” Ken closed.

OKAY WITH ‘LESS MONEY’

Meanwhile, The U.S. Sun was told that Ken is so devoted to Jeopardy! that he’s willing to take a pay cut to host for decades to come.

It was previously reported that he and Mayim were tied to $4 million contracts, which is what Ken presumably still makes.

Sony – the company behind Jeopardy! – cut ties with the actress, and it seems the game show has finally settled on Ken for good.

According to the source, he is hellbent on keeping it that way.

“Jeopardy! is Ken’s religion; he lives it, and he breathes it, and despite all the outside pressures, he’s not going to mess this up,” they shared.

“What he really wants more than anything is to stick around and make this position work for the long run.

“And if that means making less money to ensure his longevity, you can bet your life he’d be game.

“This isn’t all about the money,” they added. “It’s a way of life for Ken and then some. He’s in it for the long run and to secure his status in the show’s history.”

Of course, Ken is already comfortable. He made $2.5 million from his still-record 74-game run as a contestant, $4.3 million including tournaments.

That said, Alex reportedly made $10 million a year by the end of his 36-year tenure, which is more than double Ken’s reported salary now.

‘NO LONG-TERM CONTRACT’

Ken has clearly polished his hosting chops on stage and off stage, he’s also eased up on posting to his once-controversial Twitter page.

However, the insider claimed that while it’s understood Ken is in it for the long haul, that agreement allegedly isn’t in writing yet.

“He still has no long-term Trebek-style contract, and the President of Sony TV can replace him at any time, on a whim.

“The whole carpet can be pulled out from under him at any second.

“He’s trying his best, but in the long term, that might not be enough!”

Thankfully, it seems like it is enough so far as Ken is well-liked by fans and players alike – and “Jeopardy! is Sony’s cash cow.”

HOST HISTORY

Ken holds the record for the longest winning streak in Jeopardy! history with 74 consecutive wins in 2004.

Alex hosted the show’s modern iteration from 1984 until in November 2020 after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer.

After his death, things got a bit chaotic, as viewers know all too well.

After a series of guest hosts, officials announced that producer Mike Richards and actress Mayim would be taking over as co-hosts.

However in August 2021, Richards resigned over sexist resurfaced comments and Ken stepped in to split hosting duties with Mayim.

In July 2022, it was announced that Mayim and Ken would continue to host together for season 39 by switching off.

However, after the show’s summer 2023 hiatus, it was revealed that Jennings would take over as the permanent host for season 40.

Mayim announced in a personal Instagram message in late December 2023 that she would “no longer be hosting” the show.

“As the Holiday break begins in Hollywood, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she began her post.

“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”

Jeopardy! cobbled together a similar-looking Instagram message an hour later, and it has since been reported that Mayim broke the news without consulting the show first.

Ken later said he “understood” the decision as shows “don’t have two hosts.”

Now, Ken helms all facets of Jeopardy! including specials and spinoffs.

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Ken is the face of Jeopardy! after Mayim Bialik was dismissed, making $4 million a yearCredit: Getty

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The former champ is looking to channel his predecessor, Alex Trebek, at all costs even if that means a ‘pay cut’Credit: Getty