'In my defense...': Ken Jennings claps back as 'Jeopardy!' execs say he 'broke the show'
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Jeopardy!' tweeted about their weekly podcast on April 28, announcing that the upcoming episode of 'Inside Jeopardy!' would feature former contestants Sarah and Buzzy discussing Ken Jennings' impact on the show. The G.O.A.T. replied with a witty remark, saying "In my defense, I've been trying to put it back together." Jennings first appeared on the show in 2004, when he was just a Mormon software engineer from Seattle.
At the time, 'Jeopardy!' had a five-day win cap, meaning that contestants who won that many times would be sent straight to the next Tournament of Champions. However, in 2003, longtime executive producer Harry Friedman lifted the cap, allowing Jennings to keep winning. And win he did - for 74 consecutive episodes, earning a staggering $2,520,700.
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Who is 'Jepoardy!' contestant Nancy Zerg?
Finally, in game 75, Jennings was defeated by Nancy Zerg, a realtor from California. Jennings famously flubbed the final question by writing "Fed-Ex" instead of "H&R Block." Despite the loss, he showed no hard feelings and hugged her on stage, prompting a standing ovation from the crowd. Jennings' streak was a major news event and brought an average of two million extra daily viewers to the show. According to The Washington Post, ratings dipped significantly when he was off the air. His streak lasted for seven straight months, and at the time, people were unsure if he would ever lose.
Later, Ken and Nancy met up, holding signs of his incorrect response and her correct answer in a humorous nod to their iconic moment. "I thought, Somebody is going to beat him, and it might as well be me," Nancy told The New York Post. "I watched some of the other players' attitudes, and they lost the game in the parking garage before they even got to the studio." Unfortunately, Nancy herself lost in the very next game. Nonetheless, her victory over Jennings remains one of the most unforgettable moments in 'Jeopardy!' history and a testament to the show's enduring popularity.
What happened to Ken Jennings after losing his 'Jeopardy!' streak
After his historic run on 'Jeopardy!' in 2004, Ken Jennings has continued to amass winnings, totaling $4,370,700 when counting his tournament victories. Recently, he was chosen alongside Mayim Bialik, who is 47, as the new hosts of the show following the death of Alex Trebek. As the current season comes to a close, Ken is hosting his final week of 'Jeopardy!', and Mayim will take over starting on May 1 for the last four months of the season. However, during Mayim's tenure, Ken will host 'Jeopardy! Masters' in primetime on ABC for three weeks beginning May 8.
The special event, which has yet to finish filming due to some unexpected hiccups, will feature some of the show's most beloved legends, including Mattea, Amy Schneider, and James Holzhauer. Fans of the show have been eagerly anticipating the event, which is sure to be another unforgettable moment in 'Jeopardy!' history.