After turning into the only host of Jeopardy! in 2023, Ken Jennings has seemingly discovered his groove as he follows within the footsteps of the late and revered Alex Trebek. Now a brand new report is giving perception into what goes on behind-the-scenes on the beloved present, and the way Jennings interacts with contestants.
Collaborating in a part-time capability initially, Jennings was the primary to take up the mantle of host in Trebek’s absence, setting a tone for the flurry of visitor hosts that might comply with. And whereas it was finally determined that Jennings would cut up duties with actress Mayim Bialik, it in the end turned out he’d be the one one to helm the present and its tournaments (other than the lately launched Pop Tradition Jeopardy! hosted by Colin Jost).
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After having served as a competitor, Jennings actually understands what it’s prefer to be within the gamers’ sneakers, which has knowledgeable his internet hosting model and strategy in response to Rolling Stone, who reported that earlier than filming, Jennings takes time to satisfy the day’s 15 potential contestants within the studio, casually dressed, he greeted them with a reassuring sentiment of, “I’m in your aspect.”
Throughout Trebek’s period, he first met opponents onstage, however Jenning’s strategy stems from wanting to supply some consolation and ease of nerves earlier than the cameras activate. “That’s a particularly intimidating second for the contestant,” Jennings shared of the second they get onstage. “The sport in your TV has risen round you such as you’re in Tron. Out of the blue you’re within the mild cycle, after which Alex walks out and also you nearly can’t imagine it. It’s such as you’re seeing hologram Tupac or one thing: ‘How can the Alex Trebek be proper over there?’ A variety of the time, these contestants will seem to be they’ve received all of it happening, and I do know from expertise that they’re on this bizarre, ‘I can’t imagine that is occurring,’ surreal fog.”
In different phrases, Jennings is making an attempt to dispel that fog earlier than gamers are dropped into the sport. And though it could be a small gesture, Jennings’ practices haven’t gone unnoticed by gamers. In the identical report, former competitor Liz McKenna, an English instructor who completed third in a recreation that aired in July 2024, recalled that Jennings “made a very clear level of being type.”
As McKenna famous, through the viewers Q&A, Jennings took a query from her daughter, and responded “the best way a dad would.” As McKenna advised Rolling Stone, “It was such a considerate, heat reply. He by no means acted like he was smarter than anyone — though he’s, proper? I feel he brings a stage of humanity to it that perhaps Alex didn’t all the time have.”
What do you consider Jennings’ strategy to internet hosting? Has the previous player-turned-host discovered his groove? Tell us within the feedback part, under, and don’t miss Jennings helm the newest video games because the fan-favorite continues to air.
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