Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings is expanding his career in different directions, which has led to several questions about the future of the game show. Not only is Jennings releasing a book, but he has also confirmed a cameo in Happy Gilmore 2, which is scheduled to be released in July on Netflix. The news, combined with the recent rumors about the show’s low ratings, has led fans to wonder if Jennings is ready to move on from his hosting duties.
Speculation began when Jennings announced on Instagram that his book, The Complete Kennections: 5,000 Questions in 1,000 Puzzles, would be released on July 25, 2025. The publication is based on his popular online game, Kennections, and will also be available in audiobook format.
As reported by Closer Weekly, an unnamed source reported that Jennings has been dealing with a lot of pressure with the game show’s dipping ratings. According to Nielsen Ratings data, Celebrity Jeopardy! recorded under 2 million viewers in January, the show’s lowest since 2022. As the face of the franchise, Jennings has been doing his best to stay positive.
Ken Jennings Is Set To Appear on Rival Game Show ‘Who Wants To Be a Millionaire?’
Jennings rose to fame as a Jeopardy! contestant after a 74-game run where he took home $2.53 million. Following the death of the franchise’s beloved host, Alex Trebek, Jennings stepped in as his successor. However, in his quest to broaden his horizons, Jennings decided to compete on Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, alongside Matt Damon. In a preview for the game show, hosted by Jimmy Kimmel, Jennings is heard saying: “Do we love Matt Damon or what?” Moments later, Kimmel, who has been in a satirical public feud with the actor for years, joked that he was going to appear on Jeopardy! with someone Jennings hated. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Season 4 is set to premiere on July 23, 2025, and will feature celebrities competing in pairs for charity.
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While many fans are confused as to why Jennings would agree to appear on a rival game show, others are excited about the host attempting to make his mark in pop culture. Not to mention that this isn’t the first time Jennings has been on the show. The host was a contestant on the original Who Wants to Be a Millionaire back in 2014 during the Guinness World Records Edition themed week. Jennings walked away with $100,000 and continued to appear on the show for the “Ask the Expert” lifeline. As Jennings’ projects begin to mount, time will tell if he is moving on or will remain as the host of Jeopardy!
Jeopardy! is available to stream on Hulu.
Sources: Closer Weekly, YouTube, Reddit