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Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings is reportedly “desperate” to keep his game show job.
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Earlier this month, Colin Jost was named Pop Culture Jeopardy! host for Amazon Prime Video.
That news fuelled rumours the 42-year-old Saturday Night Live star could eventually take over the long-running quiz show if producers soured on Jennings, the 50-year-old current host.
“He’s desperate to make it work and has no intention of leaving of his own accord,” a source told British tabloid magazine Closer Weekly.
“Ken’s well aware of the noise and tittle-tattle, and privately he would acknowledge these are tough times — especially with Colin Jost coming on to host Pop Culture Jeopardy! and fans calling him awkward, which is hard to take.”
Some viewers have complained about recent mistakes, gaffes and inconsistent rulings by Jennings.
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But the current host, who doesn’t select the questions nor contestants, appears to be fighting back.
“He won’t take this treatment,” the source said. “He’s calling on bosses to be more supportive and warning people not to trip him up.
“Ken doesn’t understand why viewers think this is all his fault, because it’s not. He believes others need to take responsibility.”
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With Jost being named to the quiz show spinoff, it was reported that Jennings was being snubbed and should watch his back.
“Knowing the leadership at Sony Pictures TV, the last reason they would fire Ken Jennings is because of on-air mistakes,” a source told The U.S. Sun.
“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.”
However, there is apparently one scenario that could force a change at hosting duties.
“Instead, the only real reason to replace Ken is if the ratings took a nosedive, and that hasn’t happened yet,” the source said. “The show is holding steady.”
According to a December 2023 report by Puck News, Jennings makes $4 million per year as the Jeopardy! host.
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