Ken Jennings Announces Departure from Omnibus Podcast
Ken Jennings, the well-known host of Jeopardy!, has officially confirmed that he is stepping down from one of his hosting roles. The 51-year-old shared this news with his fans on Instagram earlier this week, revealing that he will no longer be a regular co-host on the Omnibus podcast.
The announcement came just days after his last “harsh” post, where he shared a promotional poster for what will be his final episode. In the image, Ken and his co-host, John Roderick, are shown as astronauts gazing at a star in John’s hand, with a rocket ship flying past them in the background. The caption read, “I’m so proud of the eight years @johnroderick and I spent unearthing weird oddities of the past on our podcast OMNIBUS.”
Ken explained the reason behind his departure, stating, “But my travel schedule is making it harder and harder to keep up with the show, so we’re bringing in a cavalcade of guest hosts to help out.” He also revealed that his final show as a weekly co-host will be a live event in Seattle on November 8. The event promises music, surprises, and plenty of cheese. Details about tickets can be found through @townhall_seattle, and Ken expressed hope that fans will be able to attend.
Fans responded quickly to the news, with many expressing their disappointment in the comments. One fan wrote, “I feel like I’ve just been hit by a mail truck,” while another said, “Heartbroken but happy for you.” Despite the sadness, many acknowledged the significance of Ken's long tenure on the podcast.
Ken has been a part of the Omnibus podcast since before he joined Jeopardy! and has built a strong connection with his audience over the years. However, his fans can rest easy knowing that he is not leaving the game show anytime soon. When speaking to TV Insider, Ken confirmed, “I have no plans to hang it up.”
He added, “The last host worked into his 80s. Traditionally, it’s not a job you retire from.” Ken also reflected on why Alex Trebek, the previous host, continued to work for so long. “I didn’t know at the time, but now that I have a few years under my belt, I think I understand why Alex wanted to do it,” he said.
Ken is grateful to still be a part of Jeopardy! 20 years after his debut. “It’s just such an incredibly fun job,” he said. “You’re playing along with the smartest folks and getting to see them do their thing up close. I really feel very lucky that I’m still part of the Jeopardy! family after all these years.”
His journey with Jeopardy! began in 2005 when he made history by winning the Tournament of Champions. That same year, he had already won 74 consecutive games. He was later invited back in 2021 as a guest host before becoming the sole personality in December 2023.
Jeopardy! airs weekdays at 7 p.m. EST on ABC. Fans can stay updated on the latest news, sports, and entertainment stories by following the Mirror US on Google News.
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