Ken Jennings Handles ‘Jeopardy’ Gaffe in Way That Fans Say Reminds Them of Late Alex Trebek

Everybody makes mistakes from time to time—even when they're hosting the smartest game show around.

While filming a recent episode of Jeopardy! —which returned for its 41st season on September 9, 2024—host Ken Jennings accidentally gave away the answer to one of the game's clues...but fans loved the way he handled the error.

In a video shared to the Jeopardy! Instagram account on Thursday, Sept. 18, Jennings read a question from the category "Song Titles" aloud before quickly realizing he went too far, saying "black" when he should have said "blank."

"Paint it black and back to...paint it..." Jennings paused, smiling and shaking his head. "We gotta toss it."

"I think I was supposed to say 'blank' there," he added, as the audience laughed.

"Even the GOAT makes mistakes! We always have spare clues, so we just made a simple swap for broadcast! It's like it never even happened ... 👀 #Jeopardy! #bloopers," read the post's caption.

Related: ‘Jeopardy!’ Viewers Debate if Ken Jennings Pulls Off a Mustache Like Alex Trebek After Old Photo Resurfaces

In the comments, fans praised Jennings for the way he recovered from his blooper, with some comparing him to the late iconic Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek .

"A touch of Alex in him with the way he handles that gaffe. Ken's got a brilliant sense of humor," wrote one Instagram user.

"@jeopardy It’s ok, Ken! You’re still the smartest man on planet earth!🤓😊👊🏾📚💙💙 #NerdLife," gushed a second person.

"This is really neat! Love the behind the scenes, I’ve heard that there are backup clues but didn’t know when they’d get used. Keep these coming!" raved someone else.

"Alex is the 🐐 host Ken is the 🐐 contestant and an AMAZING host as well. I wouldn’t want anyone else in that role," declared another fan.

Trebek passed away in 2020 after hosting Jeopardy! for 37 seasons.

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