‘Jeopardy!’ Ken Jennings Picks Host Who Has Most ‘Fun’

ByChris Piner

First airing in March 1964, Jeopardy! challenged contestants on their knowledge of current topics. Over the years, the shows transformed with hosts like Ken Jennings, Art Fleming, and of course, Alex Trebek. But with Jennings, the duties of hosting are different as he once stood on the contestant side, completely dominating his opponents and whatever questions the show could throw at him. Now with Jennings in the hosting role, he recently appeared on Justin Long’s podcast, Life is Short, and picked the host he believed was the “most fun” the watch.

Remembering Alex Trebek

For most fans of Jeopardy!, Alex Trebek holds a special place in the show’s history. Not only did many grow up with him, but he never placed himself above the contestants or show. Although he battled pancreatic cancer for nearly 20 months, the host for 37 years worked at the studio just 10 days before his passing. As passionate as the contestants, Ken Jennings praised him, saying, “Jeopardy! was always big for me as a kid, so Alex was a big inspiration for me. He created this place, this space where it was safe to be a smart person.”

Ken Jennings explained how Alex made the job look too easy. “He was so good at it, so graceful, so perfect for the role, that we all thought the job was easy – and it’s not. Hosting Jeopardy! is incredibly hard.”

Ken Jennings Names Host With Who Has ‘More Fun’

Although Ken Jennings never forgets Alex Trebek, when it came to one of his favorite hosts, that title went to no one associated with Jeopardy!. According to the host, when growing up, Pat Sajak seemed a perfect balance between work and fun. “Alex was such a genius at hosting Jeopardy! you really cannot do better than that. But as a kid I was like, ‘Pat’s more fun, Pat jokes around with the three people.'”

More than a fan of Wheel of Fortune and Pat Sajak, Ken Jennings used those who came before him as inspiration when he took over Jeopardy! in 2021. “I think there’s a little bit of that in my PNA. I’m a little more of a Pat Sajak where I’m like if I say one more thing please end it with a joke. Whereas Alex was very much like ‘okay helium balloons alright. How about you?'”

Taking tips from Pat Sajak and Alex Trebek, Ken Jennings noted his goal is to make the interview fun. “I wanna make it less painful than it was for me as a viewer.”

With Ken Jennings taking over hosting duties for the past two years, do you believe he is the best fit to follow the famed Alex Trebek? Be sure to share your thoughts in the comments below.

Chris Piner
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