'Jeopardy!' Ken Jennings Shares Who Should Play Him On 'SNL'

Jeopardy! has been a mainstay in pop culture for years, notably serving as the basis for a famous Saturday Night Live sketch. There’s been some speculation among fans over the years over what a modern skit based on the game show would be like. It’s recently been shared just who Ken Jennings himself would want to play him on the comedy show.

Will Ferrell Famously Played Alex Trebek For Years On SNL

The sketch show famously featured the recurring skit, “Celebrity Jeopardy!,” which ran from 1996 to 2002. Named after the game show’s own special star-studded event, Will Ferrell portrayed the series’ current host, Alex Trebek.

In the skit, Ferrell’s Trebek usually played the straight man to the more cartoonish “celebrity” panelists. Famously, Ferrell kept wearing a fake mustache to play the part even after his real life counterpart shaved it off. This became all the more apparent in a 2001 skit in which the real Trebeck made a cameo, standing alongside Ferrell.

Ken Jennings - YouTube — Ken Jennings – YouTube

Over the years, there has been speculation on who could play current host Ken Jennings in a modern version of the sketch. One popular suggestion has been Colin Jost, poking fun at his own hosting duties for Pop Culture Jeopardy!

However, Jennings himself recently shared who he thinks would be a good fit to play him on the sketch comedy series. According to TV Insider, someone asked the host during a recent Jeopardy! taping, with his answer being shared on the Inside Jeopardy! podcast.

Some Fans Have Their Own Suggestions On Who Could Play Jennings

Reportedly, Jennings felt one former SNL cast member would especially be a good fit to play him: Kate McKinnon. Notably, McKinnon has played a variety of celebrities and prominent figures during her time on the show, including Justin Bieber and Rudy Giuliani.

As Jennings noted, “She’d have to come back, but I think Kate McKinnon could do it. I think somebody online said Jack McBrayer, but [he’s] also not a cast member. But that doesn’t matter anymore, right? It’s just whoever, now. That’s how Saturday Night Live works?”

Kate McKinnon - YouTube — Kate McKinnon – YouTube

However, there are other figures who could possibly fill in Jennings’ shoes. As he noted back in 2022, he was at times confused with veteran actor Richard Jenkins. At the time, he was asked to sign photos from the 2008 film Step Brothers, which interestingly starred Ferrell.

The publication mused a few other SNL alumni who could possibly portray Jennings. This included Mikey Day, who also has some experience as a host through Is It Cake?, a game show-style competition series. It was also noted that James Austin Johnson somewhat resembled Jennings.

Is there anyone you also think would make a good Ken Jennings on Saturday Night Live? Make sure you come back to TV Shows Ace for all the latest TV and celebrity news.