"Jeopardy!" host Ken Jennings

He was an all-time "Jeopardy!" champion who is now host of the venerable game show that is marking its 60th year on the air. Correspondent Luke Burbank puts the answers - no, the questions to Ken Jennings about how he trained as a contestant, and what it means to him to succeed the late Alex Trebek.
‪@jeopardy‬ #gameshow
"CBS News Sunday Morning" features stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and Americana, and highlights unique human accomplishments and achievements. Check local listings for CBS News Sunday Morning broadcast times.
Subscribe to the "CBS News Sunday Morning" KZbin channel: / cbssundaymorning
Get more of "CBS News Sunday Morning": cbsn.ws/1PlMmAz
Follow "CBS News Sunday Morning" on Instagram: / cbssundaymorning
Like "CBS News Sunday Morning" on Facebook: / cbssundaymorning
Follow "CBS News Sunday Morning" on Twitter: / cbssunday
Subscribe to our newsletter: cbsnews.com/newsletters/
Download the CBS News app: www.cbsnews.com/mobile/
Try Paramount+ free: paramountplus.com/?ftag=PPM-0...
For video licensing inquiries, contact: [e-mail]

[@pamelamays4186]

Ken Jennings is living the childhood dream of thousands of Jeopardy fans.

[@Jerseybytes2]

whenever we were at my inlaws my mother in law always turned the tv on at 7 so my oldest (who was around 2 at the time) could dance to the theme song

[@NolaChick82]

I don't know why they bothered "searching" for a host when Ken was right there.

[@VicGChad07]

Keep in mind: at the time, Ken Jennings was set to be one of the Chasers on ABC's revival of _The Chase,_ so there had to be some plan to find a replacement.

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@VicGChad07 And there was a time where he was also one of those Master Minds, as well, on GSN.

[@Magdalena8008s]

Because any rational company would also look to make sure there isn't anyone better. And sometimes it's law to meet with some people. "Hollywood" isn't a monolith. It's a bunch of companies that still follow laws.

[@KayKay14m]

Ken is absolutely a great host because he respects the legacy. I've watched the other hosts they tried and every time, I was thinking they needed to bring Ken back. In my opinion, it's now his show and he should do it until the very end.

[@shaliseshaw9385]

Alex Trebek would be proud. 😃😃😃😃😃😃😃

[@Mr21scott]

Of what? Jennings' comments about the terminally ill movie fan? The elderly? The ability challenged? The only thing they can share is that they are both scabs who worked through strikes.

[@thx1138guy]

@@Mr21scott Can't help but be envious of another's success, eh?

[@kidd546]

@@Mr21scott Ken wasn't under the same contract, he's not a scab.

[@donwold1622]

Ken was the only correct choice for the new host. The others that "sat in" were all good, but Ken has that super humble quality that we all grew to love in Alex, and he has a proven track record that speaks for his intellect, so he's the one.

[@semimba]

I am glad they put Jennings in there as permanent host. It will always be hard to beat Trek but he close as close as they can possibly get.

[@judyjudd2352]

Hey, this guy is THE BEST! Thnx, KJ! I am so glad you are in place. RIP Alex. Ken’s Got This!❤

[@christopherwesterberg8555]

He's an Awesome Jeopardy Host. Before He took over for Alex Trebek, He was a Contestant from June 2, 2004 to November 30, 2004

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

I'm pretty sure everyone knows that.

[@elvecinodeltio5960]

I didn't ​@@I_WANT_MY_SLAW

[@MatiasGeraldoThe2nd]

CBS Sunday morning always has the magic touch to make me be interested in something, that a moment ago, I couldn’t care less about.

[@maryannevitale2515]

Me too!

[@user-wz3vl5gi2e]

I love Jeopardy, watched when Alex was host and still watching Ken Jennings host, he is great, Alex would definitely approve😀

[@JohnAckerman93]

I can’t agree with you more. I love watching Jeopardy as well, and Ken is a fantastic host. As you said, Alex would definitely approve of the choice

[@chrisfinch8637]

This man has been winning my heart, ever since he stepped on that JEOPARDY! stage, nearly 20 years ago. I've been coming home from school very quickly, just to see him keep on winning, until seeing his last show, while going against Nancy Zerg (who lost the next day). But with Ken Jennings becoming the JEOPARDY! G.O.A.T. and such, he really shows such a true example, on why he continues to love the game show, that's close to his heart, ever since he was a young boy, watching the show out in Korea. And Alex Trebek knew this, long before his death, and so did his competitors, James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter. Ken Jennings, you are the man, and so was Alex, too.

[@billkittleman9631]

Did he win the Ultimate Tournament of Champions?? No. Respectfully to him, he’s not the GOAT

[@briannahlabelle2458]

Jeopardy is my favorite quiz show and it’s what my family would watch together

[@marydear5198]

Yes Ken you got the "Golden Ticket"

[@marytheresejacksonlutz2533]

I loved that analogy!

[@mililaniman]

Ken Jennings sounds like a humble young man. I admire his humility and knowledge. I took the Jeopardy test in my thirties, but I did not pass it.

[@colinsparman26]

What a wonderful story. Congrats Ken!

[@phillipblender7502]

Ken: Keep just being yourself. You are doing a wonderful job on the the show and, although the chances that I will ever be a contestant are almost nil, I would still like to say to you " Very well done!"

[@ericmatthews9076]

He is very humble and down to earth. Alex would highly approve of the decision to make Ken the solo permanent host

[@billkittleman9631]

His path to the “throne” of Jeopardy was truly a great fate

[@Beth-zg6gb]

I’m sure Alex would approve!

[@alexwells9948]

I grew up watching Ken Jennings in 2004 it was season 20 when they had a new rule that contestants kept going until they lose

[@billkittleman9631]

Exactly .. so many on this page may not have seen that Ultimate tournament of champions when he was defeated rather convincingly by previous great winners that hadn’t been allowed to continue

[@Me97202]

It’s awesome that their best contestant ever became the one to take over for the late and legendary Alex Trebek.

[@billkittleman9631]

He’s not their best ever, respectfully to him

[@aaronlarsen8412]

​@@billkittleman9631yeah he is

[@agoogleuseragoogleuser9349]

I kept saying Ken Jennings should be the host after Alex Trebek - my friends and family kept saying "no". I win! I love Jeopardy! RIP mamacita!

[@jeanetteschock4744]

Glad he got the job

[@JohnAckerman93]

I am too. I just kept my fingers crossed that he would get the job. Everyone else was good, but Ken has what it takes to host this great game show since he was on it too. Alex would totally approve of this choice

[@deerh2o]

It is about timing. He was a successful contestant as he got the timing of Alex and the buzzer. His timing was there to be available to be host, and as you watch him host, he has great timing with the game and monitoring the contestants. Such a hard-working, intelligent, talented person.

[@kooale]

You'll be great Ken, congrats!

[@brandonhall5615]

They picked the correct person to carry on the legacy. Don't often see that. Ken, you legend! Keep on keepin' on, brother!

[@tjwash5118]

I’ve never seen a GOAT, give a GOAT award to a GOAT, until seeing this video!

[@emilytolman46]

I love this!!!

[@D.E.P.-J.]

I used to watch Jeopardy! with Art Fleming when I was in my teens, later Alex Trebek, and now Ken Jennings. A great trio.

[@mauricesnell5886]

In the words of the legendary Johnny Gilbert, "This... is 'Jeopardy!'" And the rest is history from the late Alex Trebek, to the new stamp of the Ken Jennings and made his "Jeopardy!" of his own.

[@alexwells9948]

He won 74 times, over $2,500,000, and the winner of the Greatest of all Time championship

[@MisterDevos]

I remember watching his first run of wins live when i was younger. He was such an epic contestant!

[@juliechandler8695]

My favorite show!!!!

[@christiner6000]

I have no week night social life. I can't go anywhere because I have to watch Jeopardy. 😄

[@damieng2592]

Ken Jennings is a great host. Worthy of the torch.

[@johnmeye]

Ken is a fantastic host

[@KenformerlyKen]

Thanks for the upload🏆🙏❤️

[@fable9159]

Your name is Ken too how funny! And you post Jeopardy videos every day too

[@zottffss]

Ken is absolutely the perfect successor to Alex Trebek as the host of Jeopardy.

[@jazziphoto4138]

Come on, you could have named Art Fleming as well, we did get to see his image during the story.

[@keymusic]

Not to mention Don Pardo as the announcer.

[@chrisandersen5635]

Great segment. At least for thirty minutes a day, facts do matter. Hmmmm. 🤔

[@jcortese3300]

I'm glad to see this -- when they ran through various guest hosts after Alex Trebek passed, the clear favorites were Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik. EVERYONE loved those two in particular. And we had Mayim, and now there's Ken. Perfect. 🙂

[@TreyMcDonaldAnimator]

It's the equivalent of someone like David Tennant becoming the Doctor for Doctor Who; a true fan through and through willing and able to carry the torch of a long running series with success and passion. I highly commend Ken and his road to success.

[@user-fh8ws7pr1o]

Ken is so nice and the EXCELLENT host of Jeopardy!

[@thegoodkindofweirdo]

Ken Jennings IS the ultimate host for Jeopardy! He just is!

[@scudball1840]

Good man.

[@tranquilitytravels2994]

Great content, love Jeopardy.

[@imal25]

Jeopardy! turns 60 this year.

[@chrisfinch8637]

60 in terms of when it was founded, and 40, in terms of when it all started in syndication.

[@joycej9415]

Great piece 👏 I love Ken as the host, even better than Alex!

[@pro12222222]

Ken you’re my jam ❤

[@theycallmemilan]

Man his first intro brought back memories…😂 I miss the old tunes😢

[@carolbenson6524]

I bet he's raking in the millions!!!!! He must be exhausted hosting so many jeopardy shows... afternoon..evening... celebrity..on and on!😮

[@billkittleman9631]

For anyone out there who might not know - respectfully to Ken Jennings, he is Jeopardy’s all-time winningest contestant because he was ALLOWED TO CONTINUE beyond the previous traditional appearance limit .. when they held the ULTIMATE Tournament of Champions (of which he was obviously a contestant), he finally met his match and was actually defeated rather soundly

[@Scottwilkie18]

Crazy they took a clip from Jeopardy 2003 PC game with Alex promoting the sample contestant exam

[@KingOfTheSeas_]

I thought Mayim Bialik was a good host and I like her but Ken earned the job. I was always supposed to be his, hes the greatest contestant of all time.

[@chrisfinch8637]

I was pretty bummed when I learned that she was no longer hosting. And she always had such a smooth voice, for doing so, too. I'm just glad she got to host that National College Championship, a couple of years ago, for all of ABC to see. That was fun, including a tiebreaker and such.

[@donpeters9849]

I love Ken (sounds like a Barbie thing!) but every time Johnny say's "And the host of Jeopardy...Alex Trebek comes to mind.

[@hblanche]

In his first hosting stint I thought he was being a little too soft spoken. That it was sometimes hard to understand him. Then someone pointed that out to him in a tweet, and now he's learned to project his voice much better. It's hard to root against him.

[@jkdrummer9585]

Luke Burbank TBTL lives!

[@fleece192]

Very cool story. Jeopardy,, let’s make a deal, wheel of fortune..ect. Good job Ken.

[@mackenziewachter2508]

Who's watching this on Ken's birthday today?

[@user-ou3dm6th3x]

He was the original host of Jeopardy. Who is Art Fleming? My friends know not to call me between 4:30 and 5:00 weekdays.

[@robertpolnicky7702]

He was on in the 60s. I don't know for how long. The doors covering the answers slid open. I always thought he had an intimidating demeanor. My mind woukd have gone blank just from the intimidating atmosphere of the show. They had double jeopardy and final jeopardy. It was located in New York. I remember as a kid it seemed like an awfully scary and serious show.

[@vermont741]

I love Ken Jennings! I’ll marry him in my next life 🙂

[@maryannevitale2515]

I believe that Alex Trebeck wanted him as host too dealing with issues when he was dealing with death. I wanted him too & I took look forward to 7:30 Monday - Friday & I’ve been watching since Art Fleming & so glad Richard’s didn’t become host which I thought was an automatic deal since he was Staff. I did like Aaron Rodger’s.

[@robertpolnicky7702]

I always wondered how the philadelphia cab driver ranked against jennings and some others. Isolating the dollar value variable. I thiught maybe around 87.

[@steveconn]

Would love to get on Jeopardy. How to do it if not Rosie Perez...

[@SuperMustache555]

I wish I learned more about how Jennings felt when he got the job

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

Bittersweet. He was friends with Alex, and had tremendous respect and admiration for him. So obviously given the circumstances of how he got the gig, has to be sad. But he's reserving the great legacy of Alex. Ken actually was doing other shows, such as Mastermind, so it wasn't like he was in a need of a TV gig.

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@I_WANT_MY_SLAW I still remember the first time we saw Ken's emotions, as he first became one of the first "guest" hosts of JEOPARDY!. It certainly wasn't easy to watch and listen, but we know for sure, that he meant all of what he truly said about Alex.

[@roberthouston3809]

Dude landed a hottie!

[@MorganNye]

I wish Jeanne Trebek became host too.

[@rickcarrarini5696]

Ken Jennings for Supreme ruler of earth. We could do much worse.

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

Ken is the best choice to host Jeopardy. Because he actually knows all the answers. Er...questions. All the other hosts were just faking it. They aren't smart. Especially Aaron Rogers. But we know Ken actually knows the answers. The producers probably give Ken a list of all the answers before the show, and Ken just laughs, and says "Come on guys, you know I don't need this."

[@Avery_4272]

I agree, Ken is the best choice to host. But just because other people don't know a ton of trivia facts doesn't mean they're not smart. There are many kinds of intelligence.

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@Avery_4272 It's always nice and artistic to hear about people who share their own insights on how they gather all sorts of trivia and such, to prepare for shows like JEOPARDY!, WWTBAM?, and even Masterminds. Even Ken tells us, that it's all about interest, and being able to read as much as you can, but not trying to cram.

[@andyny29]

For me, Ken was better as a contestant. Alex will always be the greatest host of Jeopardy.

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

Nobody is claiming Ken is better than Alex. Even Ken doesn't claim that. But Alex isn't here anymore. And Ken is the next best choice.

[@thisguy73]

Ok alex is not able to do the job anymore. So what do you want now?

[@chrisfinch8637]

He was better as a contestant, that's for sure. But there were times where he was stumped a couple of times by FedEx, Madeline Albright, and also going up against both Brad Rutter (James Holzhauer sure took care of him, twice) and IBM Watson.

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

@@chrisfinch8637 I don't think he was stumped by FedEx. I think he wanted to lose, or was paid to choke.

[@chrisfinch8637]

​@@I_WANT_MY_SLAW No, he really did think it was FedEx, based off of how he misread a certain part of the clue, regarding the "70,000 seasonal white-collar employees", and thinking that FedEx had their employees wear those, for only four months a year, when it was really H&R Block, that does it. As a result of that, and his accomplishments, he admits he got free taxes for life, as well as FedEx deals, too.

[@vincentxie3090]

Ken Jennings may be good at Jeopardy but is he good academically? such as being good at Science, Math etc

[@MdW4177]

Wonder why they ever wanted to have Mayim “co-host” the show with him…

[@el7jake]

He was an excellent host, but I really liked the rotation between Ken and Mayim Bialij. But they are right: Ken shares something with the contestants that even Alex couldn't emulate: he's been there.

[@NoteFromSELF]

I thought of Mayim at first like her son did. Her background also made sense. They never should have made it a competition though. Probably Mike Richards' idea so he could declare himself host. Ken and Mayim are way better than Richards.

[@mopthermopther]

Regular Jeopardy is great. But Celebrity Jeopardy … oh the contestants are dumber than a mud fence😀

[@trevortuominen8233]

SNL Celebrity Jeopardy! is a thousand times funnier. Ike Barinholtz is an exception though; he's a Learned League contestant.

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@trevortuominen8233 Would you believe he played Alex Trebek in one sketch, with Bobby Lee, Ron Pederson, and Aries Spears? Nothing ever made me laugh more than a slap across Lee's face, Pederson's weird smile, Spears' admiration for "Davey Duck", and Barinholtz's rant on Jennings! That was a lot funnier than some SNL Celebrity JEOPARDY! skits.

[@trevortuominen8233]

@@chrisfinch8637 Said sketch parodies Ken Jennings' run, no less. And he would later play an actual J! game hosted by Ken.

[@neriashleycabajar1985]

Alex Trebek died of cancer in 2020, he was 80 years old! 😮

[@fytghggyungf7601]

Love Ken! I’m so glad that got rid of that lady from that big bang show ❤

[@chrisfinch8637]

I loved her and was sad to hear of them get rid of her. She definitely will hold a place in my heart, in my admiration for JEOPARDY!, anyway.

[@HumanBeanbag]

We need an A.I. Alex Trebek hologram.

[@Missunderstood103]

So, a woman created Jeopardy. Cool.

[@mojojojo01.]

let's be honest, alex trebek is the only real host of jeopardy.

[@chrisfinch8637]

Art Fleming was a decent host, too. After all, he was the first one, as well as had a clean style of presenting himself, back when television was neat and such, as well as in black & white.

[@isaiahhatten7973]

YEP

[@dongonzalez5084]

Perfect replacement. Much better than Mayan Goal in. She's too irritating! Always talking down to the contestants.

[@fable9159]

I agree. She interrupts contestants. So rude and smug! So glad she’s not hosting anymore!

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@fable9159 Truth be told, I really miss her. She was always nice, and it was often soothing to hear a woman read the JEOPARDY! clues, from time to time.

[@fable9159]

@@chrisfinch8637 really? I didn’t think she was that good. None of the woman guest hosts were good unfortunately

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@fable9159 I don't know. I pretty much like hearing the ladies read the clues, in their time, so it was nice that I got to hear a woman read the clues and host the show, for that brief short time.

[@belindahanley7582]

Let’s investigate those 4500 FBI tips

[@TheDCGeneral]

Nice guy and fine, but Levar Burton should have gotten the job

[@ajsy1090]

You did not watch his guest hosting stint where Matt Amodio almost did not make it to the TOC on his first day of guest hosting and the record breaking all time low score since the clues doubled in 2001? His stint got most of negative reviews.

[@michaelfeds6895]

Ken and his unsavory tweets.

[@StatsJedi]

How to slight Art Fleming in one easy lesson. Shame on you.

[@SunnyDiegoProduction]

It’s strange that Ken is perfect on Jeopardy, but when asked trivia outside the show he’s not that great. He never seems to know anything outside the show lol I’m sure it’s like they said, “he’s given the questions before the show”.

[@Matt-zx6zn]

Jeopardy will never be the same. Alex wouldn't like it.

[@brynwest4495]

Bring back Mayim

[@ericmatthews9076]

Oh God no

[@Digimonisbetterthanpokemon]

For the love of all that is holy no.

[@mackenziewachter2508]

Nah! I hate Mayim! She's a bad host!

[@ajsy1090]

Had Mayim hosted Jeopardy! Masters for the sake of giving her primetime specials on the original contract, do you think she can handle James Holzhauer's bantering or right now Yogesh Raut in the current season?

[@isaiahhatten7973]

I think this show has gone down hill since Alex died. It's not as good as it used to be. It's a shame how many awards they've won considering shows like The Price is Right, Family Feud and Wheel of Fortune are way better.

[@igorschmidlapp6987]

He's a really weak host. Doesn't make him a bad person, just doesn't have the "host" personality...

[@ajsy1090]

Do you think Mayim can handle Yogesh Raut and James Holzhauer had she hosted Jeopardy! Masters?

[@colfern12]

Boring

[@tjwash5118]

It’s been my experience that people who are easily bored are usually boring

[@chrisfinch8637]

@@tjwash5118 And it's also boring when I find people who are easily bored, and even admit they are bored, too.

[@user-tt5fh7zf5p]

Jennings is SCARY . Replace him.

[@elliemenzel7939]

Must be a slow news day huh...

[@fable9159]

I guess you are not a Jeopardy fan

[@keymusic]

No, I think three days ago there was probably a lot of news.