Ken Jennings shares the emotional moment he almost quit as the host of Jeopardy! after taking over from the late Alex Trebek in 2021. Learn more about what nearly made him give up his hosting duties.
In 2019, Alex Trebek’s battle with cancer led to the search for a new host for Jeopardy! After a series of auditions, Ken Jennings, a former show champion, was chosen as the replacement. However, the transition was not easy for Jennings, especially in the wake of Trebek’s passing. In a recent interview, Jennings opened up about the intense emotions he experienced during his early days as host.
During his first episode as host, Jennings struggled to hold back tears as he paid tribute to Trebek. The weight of following in the footsteps of a legend was overwhelming, and Jennings admitted that he felt like the audience did not want him there. Despite these doubts, Jennings ultimately decided to stay on as host, a decision that has been well-received by fans.
Jennings has brought his own unique style to the role of Jeopardy! host, taking the time to connect with contestants before filming. While he initially shared hosting duties with actress Mayim Bialik, production ultimately decided to continue with Jennings as the sole host.
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