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JEOPARDY! host Ken Jennings has revealed the surprising Saturday Night Live star he’d choose to play him in a sketch, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.
Back when the beloved Alex Trebek helmed the trivia quiz show, the late host was famously played by Will Ferrell for the Celebrity Jeopardy! sketch which aired from 1996 to 2002.
Ken Jennings hosting the Jeopardy! Masters tournament[/caption]
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Season 47 Cast Shot — Pictured: (l-r) Aristotle Athari, Colin Jost, Chris Redd, Kenan Thompson, Andrew Dismukes, Pete Davidson, Chloe Fineman, Ego Nwodim, Alex Moffat, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, Michael Che, Kate McKinnon, Kyle Mooney, Aidy Bryant, Sarah Sherman, Cecily Strong, James Austin Johnson, Melissa Villaseñor, and Punkie Johnson[/caption]
Now that Ken, 50, has hosted the show since 2021 and made the role his own, some viewers think it’s time for the former champion to get the SNL treatment.
At a recent taping on the Sony Studios lot in Culver City, CA, Ken was asked who he believes out of the current SNL cast should play him if they were to do an updated Jeopardy! Sketch.
“You know that’s a good question. Someone current? Well the person who I genuinely think would’ve done the best job isn’t there anymore.
“Kate McKinnon I think is brilliant and would’ve made it work. She’s my choice and one of my favorite cast members of all time,” he spilled.
He then added: “When I’ve been asked that question in the past, someone suggested actor /comedian Jack McBrayer.
“And I think he’d be a good fit too. He’s hilarious but Kate is the best. Really though it’d just be honored to have SNL do any skit of me.
“So if that time ever comes, that will be a big moment. I’m waiting for it to happen.”
Kate, 41, became one of the biggest SNL stars in more modern seasons after she catapulted onto the scene in 2012 and became known for her celebrity impressions.
SNL’s 40th anniversary special (l-r) Will Ferrell as Alex Trebek, Darrell Hammond as Sean Connery, Taran Killam as Christoph Waltz, Jim Carrey as Matthew McConaughey, Norm Macdonald as Burt Reynolds during the Celebrity Jeopardy skit[/caption]
Kate McKinnon at the 74th Primetime Emmy Awards held at Microsoft Theater on September 12, 2022 in Los Angeles, California[/caption]
Jack McBrayer at the You’re Cordially Invited premiere[/caption]
After starring in a slew of movies and outside projects, Kate ultimately left SNL in 2022 and has gone on to star in various films since, including 2023’s Barbie.
Jack, 51, who is nearly the same exact age as Ken, made a name for himself as a star on 30 Rock from 2006 until its end in 2013.
He also starred in Wreck-It Ralph, Despicable Me and currently hosts the HGTV show Zillow Gone Wild.
Recently, Ken also shared his thoughts about rival Ryan Seacrest, 50, moving in next door and taking over the Wheel of Fortune stage.
After staying mum publicly on his thoughts, a source claimed that he recently revealed his thoughts in between takes on the Jeopardy! set.
“Ken talked about how he was able to go over and see Ryan and Vanna taping Wheel of Fortune recently,” the insider said.
As both shows are syndicated by the same team, they are filmed on side-by-side sound stages at Sony Studios in Culver City, CA.
Both Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! also share many of the same production crew members as they have alternating filming schedules.
The source continued: “Ken said he is rarely on the lot the same time that Wheel of Fortune tapes but was for one of the only times since he started the other day.
“Ken was sincerely blown away by how seamlessly Ryan has not just stepped into Pat’s shoes but made it his own.
Jeopardy! Set Secrets
Jeopardy! fans don’t see everything behind the scenes from watching on TV. These hidden set features make the show run smoothly:
- Each podium has a hidden riser so that all contestants appear to be the same height.
- After each clue is read, signal lights go off around the game board, indicating players can buzz in and respond.
- Buzz in too early, and you’re locked out for .25 seconds.
- The podiums have a small white light in the lower left corner, which tells Ken Jennings who goes next.
- Contrary to popular belief, the player with control doesn’t have a buzzer advantage on the next clue.
- To the game board’s left is a scoreboard so the players can see their opponents’ scores.
- All contestants must bring three outfits to the studio, but only the host and returning champion change for the next episode.
- There are wardrobe rules, including restrictions on busy patterns, solid white, purple (like the background), and logos.
- Five episodes are taped in a single day, and sometimes more.
- The categories, players (aside from the returning champion), and Final Jeopardy! for a tape day are all drawn randomly to ensure fairness.
- Female contestants are asked not to wear makeup, which is applied backstage, and don’t wear mascara because of sweat.
- Contestants fill out a questionnaire, and producers select five Q&A topics for the host.
- Host Ken isn’t allowed to interact with the contestants until after the game.
- Players can request to sit in a chair while competing without question.
“At one point, he even joked that Ryan is a ‘much better’ host than himself. He was very complimentary of Ryan.
“You can tell there is a lot of respect there and it was fun to see them work their magic next door.
“He was impressed by the show’s production speed and routine – it includes a lot more moving parts to the set as Jeopardy!”
At a previous taping, The U.S. Sun reported that Ken wasn’t losing sleep over Wheel of Fortune beating his show in the ratings as he was even cracking jokes off camera with the live audience.
An insider told The U.S. Sun: “After a recent taping, Ken asked the live audience if they enjoyed their time at the show, before asking if any of them wished they’d gone to see Wheel of Fortune instead.
“The crowd erupted in laughter and seemed to appreciate him making fun of the rivalry and not taking it so seriously.”
“Ken is very humble, really kind to everyone on set, and eager to answer questions from guests.
“It seems the role hasn’t gone to his head. There’s no ego about him at all.”
Alex Trebek hosting Jeopardy![/caption]
Pictured: (l-r) Alec Baldwin as Donald Trump and Kate McKinnon as Democratic Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton during the Debate Cold Open sketch on October 1, 2016[/caption]
