'Jeopardy!' host Ken Jennings draws laughs with friendly dig at 'Wheel of Fortune' rival Ryan Seacrest
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: In a humorous television moment, Ken Jennings, host of 'Jeopardy!', recently made a jocular reference to his friendly rivalry with 'Wheel of Fortune's new host, Ryan Seacrest.
According to an insider from The US Sun, Jennings addressed the live audience at a recent taping by asking if they enjoyed their time watching 'Jeopardy'.
Ken Jennings makes fun of 'Wheel of Fortune' rivalry as ratings soar after Seacrest's debut as host
Ken Jennings jokingly added, “If any of them wished they’d gone to see Wheel of Fortune instead.”
The crowd “erupted in laughter and seemed to appreciate him making fun of the rivalry and not taking it so seriously," the insider disclosed.
This comes after Seacrest took over the reins from longtime 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak in September; since then ratings have soared for the show, even outperforming 'Jeopardy!'.
In Seacrest’s debut month, 'Wheel of Fortune' averaged 7.99 million viewers, compared to 'Jeopardy!’s 7.1 million, according to Variety and Nielsen data.
Ryan Seacrest’s debut boosted 'Wheel of Fortune' to its best premiere month audience in three years, with a 12% increase from last year.
According to Sony Pictures TV, the show reached 40 million total viewers, and saw a 3% rise in the adults 25-54 demographic.
This marked a notable shift in viewership, as 'Jeopardy!' traditionally outpaced 'Wheel of Fortune.'
Pat Sajak, who hosted 'Wheel of Fortune' for over 40 years, announced his retirement in June 2023 at age 78, with Seacrest immediately pegged as his successor.
Longtime co-host Vanna White remained, preserving the familiar chemistry that fans know and love.
Sajak’s final episode aired in June, closing a remarkable chapter in game show history.
Ken Jennings pays tribute to Alex Trebek's 'Jeopardy!' legacy with 'no ego'
Ken Jennings himself has embraced his own role with humility, even as he steps into the shadow of legendary 'Jeopardy!' host Alex Trebek, who hosted for over 30 years until his death in 2021.
Since Jennings was made permanent host in December 2023, he’s shown a dedication to honoring Trebek’s legacy.
The source mentioned, “It seems the role hasn’t gone to his head. There’s no ego about him at all.”
In fact, Jennings even uses Trebek’s former hairdresser, Renee Ferruggia, in a symbolic nod to continuity.
Beyond his humility, Jennings has a remarkable rapport with fans, openly answering their questions on set.
When asked whether being a contestant or hosting is more challenging, Jennings shared that being a contestant was “much more nerve-wracking than reading out the questions.”
Jennings himself holds 'Jeopardy!’s record for the longest winning streak, at 74 consecutive games, with total winnings exceeding $2.5 million.
