Ken Jennings to Join 'Jeopardy' Season 37 as Consulting Producer

“Jeopardy!” will be airing all-new episodes when Season 37 premieres in syndication on Sept. 14 — and it’s going to feature “Greatest of All Time” champion Ken Jennings in a new role as a consulting producer.

But don’t worry, Alex Trebek is still on hosting duties.

“I feel good, and I feel excited because once again ‘Jeopardy!’ has demonstrated that it’s at the forefront of television programming,” Trebek said. “I believe we are the first quiz show to come back on the air in the COVID-19 era. On a personal level, I’m excited because it gets me out of the house. It gives me something to do on a regular basis, and I was missing that.”

Also Read: Who Is Ken Jennings? 'Jeopardy! Greatest of All Time' Tournament Winner

As a consulting producer, Jennings will now present his own special video categories, develop projects, help with contestant outreach, and serve as a general ambassador for the show.

His first time presenting video categories will be on the second episode of the new season, airing Tuesday, Sept. 15.

“Though I’ve played my last round of ‘Jeopardy!’ as a contestant, I’m delighted to have the opportunity to remain involved with my favorite show,” Jennings said. “I’m still in on all the action, but I don’t have to worry about phrasing things in the form of a question anymore.”

Also Read: Elon Musk Calls 'Jeopardy!' Champ Ken Jennings a 'Knucklehead' in Pandemic-Fueled Twitter Feud

Other changes this season include updates to the “Jeopardy!” set to make it more suitable for pandemic times. The stage has been given an upgrade to allow more space between the three contestant podiums, which will also be at a “safe distance” from Trebek’s lectern, according to Sony. There are also, of course, new production protocols in place that align with government guidelines to protect contestants, staff, crew, and talent from the spread of COVID-19.

“Jeopardy!” is also doing its casting virtually now. Prospective players can take the new “Jeopardy!” Anytime Test online, and some of those who pass will be randomly selected to advance to the next round, played over Zoom. Learn more about the new test process here.

“Jeopardy!” Season 37 premieres Monday, Sept. 14. Check your local listings to see when it airs in your area.

Alex Trebek: 9 Things You Didn't Know About the 'Jeopardy!' Host (Photos)

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek passed away on Nov. 8 and left behind an amazing legacy. We've compiled a list of nine interesting things you probably didn't know about the longtime television personality from a new biography written by Lisa Rogak called "Who Is Alex Trebek?" out now from Macmillan Publishers.
Trebek, his wife Jean, and his son Matt, courtesy of "Who Is Alex Trebek? A Biography" by Lisa Rogak
He was a troublemaker in his youth

In his teen years, Trebek was sent to a Catholic boarding school after his parents separated. There, he was nearly expelled over disagreements with one of his teachers.
Alex Trebek in 1984 (Photo by Michael Ochs Archive/Getty Images)
He nearly became a priest

In college, Trebek considered becoming a priest and went so far as to spend a summer at a Trappist monastery. But it was the vow of silence that changed his mind. He later said, “I’m not one to keep my big mouth shut.”
A Trappist monk / Getty
He's a clean-freak

After quitting his job of 12 years at the CBC, he moved to Los Angeles. There he found a roommate in "Growing Pains" actor Alan Thicke, who compared living with Trebek to Felix, the neat-freak character on the sitcom "The Odd Couple."
Felix from "The Odd Couple" / ABC
He went through a rough divorce

Trebek's first marriage lasted seven years and ended in 1981. He later admitted that he lived “like a very depressed monk,” spending most nights watching TV with a bucket of fried chicken and a bottle of white wine.
Getty
Lucille Ball helped him land "Jeopardy!"

The "I Love Lucy" star was a big fan of "High Rollers," the game show Trebek hosted previously. She told her friend, producer Merv Griffin, to consider hiring him when they decided to resurrect "Jeopardy!"
He named his cat Sleaze Bucket

Trebek is an animal lover, but when it comes to names, he doesn't hold back. He had a dog named Spammer, two rescue cats named Winger Dinger and Sleaze Bucket (A.K.A. Sleazy) and another cat named Safety Puce.
Getty
Ladies love him

A woman at a book signing once gifted him a cupcake topped with a pair of breasts made out of frosting. And during the days when he hosted the Pillsbury Bake-Off, a contestant once asked the judges, “Is Alex here yet, and do you know his room number?”
Pillsbury Bake-Off promo / CBS
He swears like a sailor

Known for his proclivity for profanity, Trebek has let more than a few f-bombs fly over the years. During a 2014 radio interview with Dan Patrick, Trebek was informed that they were operating on a profanity delay. “I’m worried about your language,” Patrick said at the time.
He's a Luddite

“I don’t text, I don’t access the Internet, I don’t blog, I don’t tweet,” Trebek has said. He only uses his cell phone to make calls, but he's not a fan of social media. “Everyone has their face buried in their phones,” he continued, according to Rogak. “Why is it important to know what I did this morning and convey that to other people?”

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Fun fact: He briefly considered becoming a priest during his college years

"Jeopardy!" host Alex Trebek passed away on Nov. 8 and left behind an amazing legacy. We've compiled a list of nine interesting things you probably didn't know about the longtime television personality from a new biography written by Lisa Rogak called "Who Is Alex Trebek?" out now from Macmillan Publishers.

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Alex Trebek: 9 Things You Didn't Know About the 'Jeopardy!' Host (Photos)

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