It was a protracted and messy street to get there, however when Jeopardy! introduced that Ken Jennings could be becoming a member of Mayim Bialik because the official hosts of the traditional quiz present, many individuals noticed it because the Jeopardy! GOAT lastly ascending to his rightful place behind the lectern following Alex Trebek’s dying in 2020. And whereas we now know that Jennings and Trebek had spoken in regards to the former contestant stepping in as host — a minimum of quickly amid Trebek’s battle with pancreatic most cancers — a resurfaced Jeopardy! clip appears to show that the internet hosting icon had considered that succession plan years earlier than it was obligatory to place one into motion.
A Jeopardy! fan occurred upon an episode from 2014’s Battle of the Many years, wherein Ken Jennings had returned to compete in opposition to 44 different former champions. There was inarguably a number of expertise to cross the stage over these 5 weeks, however Alex Trebek made an fascinating remark to Jennings, as this fan identified:
I used to be watching an previous sport from 2014 and seen Alex stated this…@KenJennings @Jeopardy #jeopardy pic.twitter.com/8zoLJErp3eJuly 20, 2023
Curiously, Ken Jennings didn’t go on to win the Battle of the Many years — he got here in second to Brad Rutter, who remains to be the largest winner in Jeopardy! historical past — nevertheless, he was seemingly a extra acquainted face to followers, after changing into sport present royalty in 2004, when he received 74 video games of the quiz present in a row. His “movie star” issue might have performed into Alex Trebek’s futurecasting, as he and Jennings had the next change:
- JENNINGS: I have been behind this podium rather a lot, and I really feel actually at residence right here.
- TREBEK: How would you’re feeling over [motions toward the host’s lectern]… No we cannot speak about that.
Ken Jennings revealed his last dialog with Alex Trebek, which occurred simply a few days earlier than he died. They spoke about Jennings going into the studio to rehearse, with the plan being for the previous contestant to fill in for Trebek for some time, with the hopes that the host would have the ability to regain some energy and return. That by no means occurred.
The previous champ was the first individual to take over Jeopardy! internet hosting duties within the aftermath of Alex Trebek’s passing, and he even hosted the episode that fell on the anniversary of the host’s dying — a truth the producers saved a secret from Ken Jennings till after filming was full. Regardless of many followers wanting Jennings to stay the host — and former champion Arthur Chu declaring that’s what Trebek had wished as effectively — a variety of celebrities had been introduced in for a flip at guest-hosting.
The present then grew to become embroiled in controversy surrounding then-executive producer Mike Richards, who named himself everlasting host earlier than discrimination lawsuits and offensive feedback he’d made on an previous podcast resurfaced. Richards was fired by Sony after simply in the future of filming as Jeopardy!’s host, and Ken Jennings was referred to as again to share duties with Mayim Bialik.
It’s protected to say that’s not precisely how Alex Trebek envisioned issues taking place, however particularly after seeing that previous clip from the Battle of the Many years, it actually does appear to be Jeopardy! has achieved the end result that the enduring host foresaw practically a decade in the past.
The state of Jeopardy!’s upcoming season is unknown because of the WGA author’s strike, however you may see Ken Jennings in motion because the host of Jeopardy! Masters, which is at present re-airing on ABC at 9 p.m. ET on Tuesdays. All episodes are additionally accessible to stream with a Hulu subscription.
