What is Ken Jennings, the host of Jeopardy!, opinion on the "cringey" contestant interviews?
Ken Jennings is a lifetime Jeopardy, which should come as no surprise! fan. However, the trivia champion acknowledged that he did not enjoy one of the most prominent aspects of the series: the participant interviews, long before he took over as host of the venerable TV game show from the late Alex Trebek.
When Jennings said, "So, I have to admit," another Jeopardy! On the Lovett or Leave It podcast's August 10th episode, champion Amy Schneider disclosed, "as a kid I found the Jeopardy! interviews so cringey that I would leave the room. That's my Jeopardy! origin story."
Actually, Jennings believes that the prize-hungry contestants did not sign up for the guest Q&A segment, which always follows the first commercial break.
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"These people mean well, but you make them stop playing Jeopardy! for a second to talk about their cat or their trip to Thailand or something, and they're not there for that," the 51-year-old went on. "They just want to answer the little questions!"
Jennings, however, tries to make the interviews as enjoyable as possible for fans now that he is the emcee.
"I try to make it the least bad it can be, and get out of there," he stated. "My promise to you, the viewer."
When participants submit themes for their interview segment, Jennings who holds the record for most money won in regular-season play with $2,520,700 earned during his 2004 stint also disclosed his top concern.
"'You would not believe the crazy thing my cat does!'" he recalled. "And I'm like, 'I bet I can. Does it sit on top of the couch? That's nuts.'"
Schneider, meanwhile, commended Jennings' hosting skills in the two years since he took over full-time in 2023.
"I have to say, as somebody who's seen Ken work up close," she said, "his ability to laugh at the end of any story is remarkable." Jennings' response?
He stated, "I've spent my whole life trying to get out of conversations in 25 seconds," "That's why Jeopardy! host is the job for me." Season 42 of Jeopardy! will premiere on September 8; check your local listings.
