‘Jeopardy!’ Ken Jennings At Risk Of Losing Job To ‘SNL’ Star?

Ken Jennings-YouTube

Is Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings at risk of losing his job to a SNL star? Rumors are circulating that Ken might have some competition but could that mean he would be officially out? More so, who would be stepping in for him? Keep reading for all the details on the situation.

Jeopardy! Ken Jennings At Risk Of Losing Job To SNL Star?

When Ken Jennings stepped into the Jeopardy! hosting gig, he was not alone. By his side was actress, Mayim Bialik who helped balance the workload. She hosted Celebrity Jeopardy! and they also split the season. It worked as some viewers really liked the former show champion while others preferred Mayim’s way of hosting. Then, the WGA strike happened and Mayim exited the game show leaving Ken alone. Add on the SAG-AFTRA strike and it was unclear if she would ever return. That made the executives realize they only needed one host and let Mayim go.

Ken Jennings-YouTube
Ken Jennings-YouTube

Now, there will be a new spinoff, Pop Culture Jeopardy! which will stream on Amazon Prime. It took time but SNL’s very own Colin Jost will be the host of the game show. That being said, according to The Sun, a Sony insider shared that Colin could be competition for Ken. Though people do like Ken’s humor and wit, they question his rulings and do not always appreciate his antics. Therefore, if Colin proves himself to be a worthy host, he could end up swooping down and taking Ken’s gig. Per the insider:

“Knowing the leadership at Sony Pictures TV, the last reason they would fire Ken Jennings is because of on-air mistakes. It’s not a live show; it’s taped well in advance, and therefore, mistakes are just as much, if not more, the producer’s and writers’ responsibility as they are Ken’s. Instead, the only real reason to replace Ken is if the ratings took a nosedive, and that hasn’t happened yet.”

 

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Allegedly, Sony is still keeping its “options open” when it comes to a Jeopardy! host though Ken Jennings is still number one for the foreseeable future. Still, it will be exciting to see what Colin Jost can do when he starts filming this month.

A New Jeopardy! Chapter

Now that Colin Jost has joined the Jeopardy! family, what are fans’ thoughts on him? More so, do they think he is cut out for this or better on SNL? Some fans were already hoping he would take over the whole franchise:

  • Hopefully he takes over regular jeopardy too! Anyone is better than Ken!
  • Interesting choice! I wouldn’t count him out at the moment! Looking forward to seeing Jost host!
  • I’ll totally watch it now
  • Pop Culture version of Jeopardy! AND Colin Jost? Talk about doubling up on the wins

Seems like fans are excited to see what Colin brings to the table and would not mind him taking over for Ken Jennings every once in a while. Do you think he will make a good host? Or, is he just meant for the pop culture arena? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Amanda Lauren

12 Comments

  1. Re: Jeopardy news
    I’m an active 80-year-old great-grandmother and have been watching Jeopardy since its inception!
    I understand that change is inevitable but have no interest in a new spin-off of a tried and true version of a long-lived winner. I miss Alex Trebeck but think highly of Ken Jennings and his own personality and presentation of my favorite game show. Also, he’s highly Intelligent – something I admire in anyone. He makes mistakes. Who doesn’t? We’re human.
    Please don’t cancel Jeopardy!!!!!

    1. Agree 100 %. After all he wasn’t in show business to begin with and he’s gradually relaxing into the game-show celebrity role. Give him time AND producers and writers get better before forcing out the person in front of the camera!

  2. WHO IS—No one can ever replace Alex but I think Ken is doing allright. As far as making judgement calls, I always thought that there was a judges panel that made the final call. I clearly remember alex looking away from contestants and obviously waiting for a ruling. I know there’s been some grumbling about rulings on recent shows but it seems that fans are using Ken as a scapegoat. I’d miss Colin on SNL if he ends up leaving but thats a whole different conversation.

  3. I’ll take, “What’s good for Jeopardy?” For 2000, please Alex.
    Keep Ken; he’s a fantastic addition to the show, and as others have pointed out, the judges make the final decisions, not him.

  4. I love watching Ken Jennings does amazing job as Jeopardy host. While Mayim Bialik is good as actress only not good academically. Ken Jennings has proven intelligent by winning as a contestant of jeopardy.

    1. Mayim Bialik is a neuroscientist! How can you say she is not good academically? She is well educated and definitely capable of hosting Jeopardy.

  5. Ken has done a great job. No one is Alex Trebec, but all of these spin-offs are ridiculous. Just stick with our favorite game show and with Ken Jennings. The questions have undergone a change of late (& not for the better) so please don’t change yet again.

  6. I don’t dislike Colin Jost, but I think he’s appropriate for a Pop Culture Jeopardy format, not for the more traditional Jeopardy. I am not going to watch the Pop Culture Jeopardy because I think Pop Culture is boring. That’s the reason I don’t watch Celebrity Jeopardy: The celebrities are seldom intelligent enough to be competitive and they waste time telling bad jokes and trying to draw attention to themselves – kind of like having 3 Joy Behars when 1 is too much.

  7. I think Ken Jennings does a great job as host. He knows lots of answers before the contestant speaks. If he makes a mistake with a player or tells them they didn’t answer before he said “no”, isn’t that why there are the “judges” (or whoever they are) watching and making decisions? If he’s too quick or too slow or gives someone more time shouldn’t they be adjusting the scores? Also, aren’t they chirping in his ear while he is being the emcee? I loved Alex Trebek, nobody can match him, but I think Ken does a great job!

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