KEN Jennings shared new details about hosting Jeopardy!, including his most surreal moment and the boot camp-style training he went through.
The former champion, 50, opened up about being the face of the game show in a new interview with CBS News.
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Ken spoke with Luke Burbank to discuss leaving the famous Jeopardy! competitor for permanent host.
Ken was not initially selected for the hosting role.
Ken and Mayim Bialik were initially announced as co-hosts in July 2022, succeeding the late great Alex Trebek.
Mayim was dropped from the series in December 2023 and became the sole host.
Read more about Ken Jennings
Wearing a casual zip-up and gel-free hair, Ken revealed his first few days of hosting involved rigorous training.
‘FINE COMPETITORS’
“Actually, there was a dress rehearsal. They made the show’s writers pretend to be contestants,” he shared on video.
“And they would start by being well-mannered competitors,” he explained. “So I could get into a rhythm.
“Then they would start pushing the envelope a little and doing subtly wrong things to try to see if I would do the right thing.”
He addressed the general pressure of the role; “Because the host of Jeopardy! has to wear many hats at once.
“You’re trying to be a perfect narrator for the show, but you’re also the referee, you shape the rhythm like an orchestra conductor, you frame the story of the game like a play-by-play announcer.”
‘HALLUCINATORY’
Ken added that he’s looking forward to becoming the next Alex, even though it still feels surreal to be announced as host every night.
“Alex made it all look easy…in a very difficult job.”
“When I hear [announcer] Johnny [Gilbert] say my name, that’s hallucinatory, by the way.
“Every day, I hope he says, ‘The host of Jeopardy! Alex Trebek’, but he says my name and I have to talk outside.
“It is an honor.”
“I really want the program to be successful and have the same profile it had during the Alex years,” concluded Ken.
OK WITH ‘LESS MONEY’
Meanwhile, the US Sun has been told that Ken is so dedicated to Jeopardy! that he is willing to take a pay cut to host for decades to come.
It was previously reported that he and Mayim were tied to contracts worth $4 million, which is what Ken likely still earns.
Sony – the company behind Jeopardy! – cut ties with the actress, and it looks like the game show has finally decided on Ken for good.
According to the source, he is determined to keep things that way.
“Danger! is Ken’s religion; he lives it, breathes it, and despite all the outside pressures, he won’t screw it up,” they shared.
“What he really wants more than anything is to stay and make this position work long term.
“And if that means making less money to ensure his longevity, you can bet your life he would be in the game.
“It’s not just about money,” they added. “It’s a way of life for Ken and more. He’s in it for the long haul and to secure his status in program history.”
Of course, Ken is already comfortable. He earned $2.5 million from his record 74-game competitive streak, $4.3 million including tournaments.
That said, Alex reportedly earned $10 million a year at the end of his 36-year tenure, which is more than double Ken’s reported salary now.
‘NO LONG TERM CONTRACT’
Ken has clearly honed his hosting skills on stage and off, he’s also made it easier to post on his once controversial Twitter page.
However, the source stated that while it is known that Ken is in it for the long haul, that deal has not yet been written.
“He doesn’t yet have a Trebek-style long-term contract, and the president of Sony TV could replace him at any time on a whim.
“The whole rug could be ripped out from under him at any moment.
“He’s trying his best, but in the long run, that might not be enough!”
Fortunately, it appears that’s enough, as Ken is beloved by fans and players alike – and “Jeopardy! is Sony’s cash cow.”
HOST BACKGROUND
Ken holds the record for longest winning streak on Jeopardy! history with 74 consecutive victories in 2004.
Alex hosted the modern iteration of the show from 1984 until November 2020, after losing a battle with pancreatic cancer.
After his death, things got a little chaotic, as viewers know all too well.
After a series of guest hosts, officials announced that producer Mike Richards and actress Mayim would take over as co-hosts.
However, in August 2021, Richards resigned due to resurfaced sexist comments and Ken stepped in to share hosting duties with Mayim.
In July 2022, it was announced that Mayim and Ken would continue to host together in season 39, leaving.
However, following the show’s hiatus in the summer of 2023, it was revealed that Jennings would take over as the permanent host of season 40.
Mayim announced in a personal Instagram message in late December 2023 that she would “no longer host” the show.
“As the Hollywood holidays begin, I have some Jeopardy! news,” she began her post.
“Sony has informed me that I will no longer be hosting the syndicated version of Jeopardy!”
Danger! cobbled together a similar message on Instagram an hour later, and it has since been reported that Mayim broke the news without consulting the show first.
Ken later said he “understood” the decision, as the shows “don’t have two hosts”.
Now, Ken runs every facet of Jeopardy! including specials and spinoffs.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
