Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings 'desperate to make it work' as he faces exit rumors

Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings wants to keep his position at the game show more than anything.

A source revealed that Ken is determined to keep his job by any means necessary since “he’s desperate to make it work and has no intention of leaving of his own accord.” The TV personality is “aware” of the chitter-chatter happening about the security of his job as of late.

“Ken’s well aware of the noise and tittle-tattle, and privately he would acknowledge these are tough times — especially with Colin Jost coming on to host Pop Culture Jeopardy! and fans calling him awkward, which is hard to take,” the source said.

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Earlier this month it was announced that Colin would he’d be hosting the Jeopardy! Spinoff show and not Ken. The former Jeopardy! champ believes “there’s a share of blame” when it comes to him coming across as awkward on camera.

“He doesn’t write the lines or pick the questions and contestants, and won’t be made a scapegoat!” the source told Closer Weekly. A source also pointed out that Ken “won’t take this treatment” and is “calling on bosses to be more supportive and warning people not to trip him up.”

It’s often hard for Ken to “understand” how game show viewers could make him the sole one at fault for any unfavorable Jeopardy! moments. “Ken doesn’t understand why viewers think this is all his fault, because it’s not,” they explained. “He believes others need to take responsibility. He’s done playing Mr. Nice Guy!”

Some of what Jeopardy! viewers slammed Ken for include the “bizarre” rulings and a “cringe-worthy” assisted living joke. Although he’s gotten some backlash he’s also received some praise, specifically from former Jeopardy! champion Amy Schneider, who said last year that she “loved Ken as a host.”

Even though some complain about Ken from time to time, they still have a deep love for the program. In July, fans went wild when the Republican National Convention forced Jeopardy! to run behind schedule and not at it’s designated time.

While Ken might not always be on the same page with production, the work being produced is still of quality, and Emmy worth. Last month the game show’s official X account shared a post congratulating “Jennings and the entire production team” on receiving Emmy nods for Outstanding Game Show and Outstanding Game Show Host.

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