Ken Jennings Admits Hosting “Jeopardy!” Is Hard After Getting Trolled By Contestant

Ken Jennings is learning that he’s not Alex Trebek. The contestant who was named “Greatest of All Time” has discovered it’s much harder to host “Jeopardy!” than it is to compete. 

Guests To Take Turns Hosting “Jeopardy!” 

Jennings is acting as one of the temporary hosts of the show following Trebek’s death from pancreatic cancer. Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik, and Katie Couric will also take their turns standing behind the “Jeopardy!” podium. 

“It’s really nerve-racking,” Jennings said. “I’m like everybody else, I wish it was still Alex out there. But the main thing I noticed is what an amazing job he did, he made it always look so effortless and graceful.”

RELATED: Remembering Alex Trebek: The ‘Jeopardy!’ Moments That Made Him A Game Show Legend

Trebek hosted “Jeopardy!” since 1984. While the show is synonymous with him, fans wanted it to continue. Now, television executives are on a quest to find a permanent host. Jennings now understands what a tough job Trebek had even though he made it seem so natural and easy. 

“It’s been really rough missing him and also just missing Jeopardy! with him,” Jennings continued. “I think that’s what we’re grieving, the fact that he would be part of our lives, that we could have Alex hosting Jeopardy! every evening.”

“I kind of wanted to open the show that way and just say, ‘Look, you can’t replace a great like Alex Trebek,” Jennings stated. “We want Jeopardy! to continue. It won’t be the same, but it will still be Jeopardy!.”

Looks like Jennings is having some fun with some fans during his interim hosting job 

And, fans appreciate him as well:

And, he gives a nod to Alex which fans love as well:

Ken Jennings Trolled On Jeopardy!

Contestant Brian Chang showed Jennings how hard hosting the beloved show can be. In fact, Chang brought up a sore spot for the reigning “Jeopardy!” champ. His final Jeopardy! answer trolled Jennings. 

“Adjusted for inflation, the nightly rate this company put in its name in 1962 is now $51,” was the answer.

RELATED: Video: That Time Alex Trebek Opened ‘Jeopardy!’ Without Pants

When it was time to reveal Chang’s question, the contestant acknowledges his wasn’t the correct response of Motel 6.

“What is H&R Block?,” Chang had written.

Of course, Jennings got the jab right away. H&R Block was the correct response that Jennings didn’t know that ended his 74 game run on “Jeopardy!” in 2004. OUCH!

Unlike when Jennings gave that answer, Chang still hung on. Luckily, he was conservative in the amount he bet and he still walked away the winner of that game. He got the W and still was able to mock Jennings.

You can watch this clip in the video below. 

We know Ken Jennings isn’t Alex Trebek, but we give him credit for stepping up and continuing the show. Only time will tell who will be the permanent replacement for Trebek. It’s going to be an exciting few months with the interim hosts.