Problematic ‘Jeopardy!’ Answer Leads to Apology from Ken Jennings

Ken Jennings, the current Jeopardy! host and game-show legend, is making headlines for a rare, on-air apology. During the October 28 episode, Jennings made a comment that some viewers—and even one contestant—found offensive.

In the “Complete the Rhyming Phrase” category, Jennings read out a well-known phrase: “Men seldom make passes at…,” prompting the answer, “girls who wear glasses.” Right after the line, Jennings quickly acknowledged the phrase as “a little problematic” and turned to apologize to Heather Ryan, a contestant wearing glasses. “Sorry, Heather,” he offered. Another contestant, Will Wallace, chimed in, adding simply, “Very.”

Heather Ryan, a health program director, ended up losing that night’s competition by a razor-thin margin of $1—a point many fans noted on the J! Archive, which meticulously records Jeopardy! outcomes.

This minor controversy comes as Jennings continues to fill the shoes of the iconic Alex Trebek, who graced the show’s podium for an incredible 37 seasons until his death in November 2020 from stage IV pancreatic cancer. Trebek’s final episode aired on January 8, 2021. Jennings, who initially served as a guest host, took over as permanent host in December 2023, stepping into a role many would agree only a Jeopardy! legend could fill.

Jennings’ reputation precedes him. Known for his record-breaking 74-game win streak in 2004, he solidified his legendary status by winning the 2020 Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time tournament, hosted by Trebek. In this memorable face-off, he triumphed over top competitors James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter, taking home $1 million while Holzhauer and Rutter each received $250,000.

The late Alex Trebek praised Jennings after that victory, saying, “It has taken 15 years for Ken Jennings to finally answer the question, ‘Is he as good as he appeared to be in that great run on Jeopardy!?’” And fans got another glimpse of Jennings’ humble and humorous side when he opened up to Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos on his not-so-perfect academic record.

“My worst grade on my résumé is a C+ in seventh-grade Home Ec,” Jennings joked. Reflecting on his sewing mishap with a wonky apron strap, he quipped, “I got the C+ I deserved.”

For Jeopardy! fans, Jennings’ continued presence as host is a reminder of the legacy Trebek left—and the high standards Jennings aims to maintain.