DANGER! host Ken Jennings is likely to come under increasing pressure with Ryan Seacrest’s arrival on Wheel of Fortune, US Sun has learned exclusively.
Ken, 50, has spent this year adjusting to his role as the sole host of Jeopardy! after co-host Mayim Bialik was fired.
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Now he faces a new challenge as Ryan49, replaces the legendary Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak.
And a Sony Television insider says it could get ugly for Ken if Jeopardy’s numbers start to slide compared to the studio’s other beloved game show.
The source said: “For decades, Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! were equivalent in terms of audience and popularity, but in fact they appeal to two different audiences.
“US Jeopardy! fans typically come from larger cities, while Wheel attracts more from middle America.
“Now that both shows are arriving this fall with their new hosts, that balance is about to be upset, and at Sony Television, you can feel the excitement as Ryan settles in and begins hosting his first episodes as host.
“He’s bringing a sense of youth and urgency to work that’s a lot harder to pull off than it seems, and Wheel will certainly see a boost in numbers when its episodes begin airing in September.
“My advice to Ken is that just because Mayim is out of the picture doesn’t mean he shouldn’t be careful.”
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‘COMPLICATED SITUATION’
The source added that there is one trap that Ken must avoid above all else.
“Taking the risk! the guaranteed audience is the worst possible thing he could do right now, with Ryan poised to reinvent the Wheel franchise with his Top-40 radio sensibilities and unwavering optimism,” the source said.
“In most media markets these programs run back to back and Ken needs to make sure he doesn’t suffer from the contrast with Ryan.
“It’s a complicated situation because their personalities are radically different from each other.”
Ken and Mayim were announced as Jeopardy! co-hosts in July 2022, succeeding Alex Trebek.
It came after Alex’s death from pancreatic cancer in November 2020.
After introducing a series of guest presenters, it was announced that producer Mike Richards and actress Mayim would take over as co-hosts.
But Richards was forced to resign in August 2021 after sexist comments online resurfaced.
Ken stepped in to share hosting duties with Mayim, but took over as permanent host of the show’s 40th season.
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RYAN’S TIME
Meanwhile, longtime American Idol host Ryan is replacing Pat, 77, after he retired last month.
When announcing his new show in June last year, Ryan said: “I am truly honored to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.”
Back in March, Ken was seen joking about hosting Wheel himself.
In a clip posted to Instagram, Ken responded to a fan who asked “What’s it like hosting a show that you know all the answers to?”
Ken laughed and added, “It hasn’t happened yet.
“I don’t know, maybe they’ll let me do Wheel someday.”
Some fans took this as a criticism of Ryan, with one posting on social media: “He doesn’t come get Ryan’s work before it even starts.”
But the US Sun source said: “I don’t think Sony will let this turn into a more intense rivalry.
“The bottom line is that what matters is the ratings of both shows. There is no other measure of success.”
Danger! Universe
Danger! it first aired in 1964 until 1975. Then, the nighttime version began in 1974. Since then, spinoffs of the game show have appeared. Here are all those
Danger! – (primetime) 1974 to present, weekdays on ABC at 7 p.m.
Tournament of Champions – 1984 to present, features the top champions who have appeared on the show since the last tournament
Celebrity Danger! – From 1992 to the present, celebrities compete against each other to raise money for the chair
Danger! Masters – 2023 to present, features six notable recent Jeopardy! champions competing against each other
Danger! National College Championship – From 2022 to present, undergraduates from 36 colleges and universities across America compete to win $100,000
Other versions of Jeopardy! disappeared over the years
STAY WITH KEN?
Ken currently does not have a long-term contract with the show.
A source previously told The US Sun Ken informed higher-ups that he is in it for the long haul.
The source stated: “Jeopardy! it’s Ken’s religion; he lives it, breathes it, and despite all the external pressures, he’s not going to screw it up.
“He is proud to have reached this position and believes he has what it takes to make it last for decades to come.
“Of course, he recognizes that no one could ever fill the shoes of Alex Trebek, an icon and someone Ken himself considered a personal hero.”
The source continued: “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.”
Ken earned $2.5 million from his record 74 games as a competitor, $4.3 million including tournaments.
Alex reportedly earned $10 million a year at the end of his 36-year tenure.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
