Ken Jennings

Ken Jennings, the celebrated host and writer of 'Jeopardy!', passionately defends the significance of trivia in our culture. He argues that shows like 'Jeopardy!' play a crucial role in maintaining the importance of facts amidst growing disinformation. Jennings reflects on the cultural impact of quiz shows as celebrations of knowledge and contrasts their accountability with the political landscape, stressing that factual accuracy is vital for governance and the fight against authoritarianism.

Ken Jennings, the beloved Jeopardy! champion and best-selling author, shares insights from his journey of embracing trivia and unique memory. He opens up about transitioning from a tech career to entertainment and the joys of turning hobbies into professions. The conversation explores parenting myths and the authenticity behind them, along with the emotional complexities tied to midlife crises. Jennings emphasizes the importance of individuality, storytelling, and remaining true to one's passions, all while providing a humorous look at what it means to be quirky.

Join Ken Jennings, Jeopardy! champion known for his record-breaking wins, and Sally Helm, host of the History This Week podcast, as they dive into the fascinating world of trivia. They explore the spontaneous creation of Trivial Pursuit in Montreal and trace the rise of quiz shows, from their origins in the 1930s to the dramatic scandals that shaped public perception. Discover how trivia has evolved, its role in cultural entertainment, and the importance of financial literacy for kids alongside the legacy of iconic shows.

Author and Jeopardy host, Ken Jennings, discusses his new book, the various faces of the afterlife, and his dark history podcast. They also explore the challenges of losing to a computer in Jeopardy, viral internet moments, and the concept of heaven and hell. They touch on game show combinations and the link between heaven, cities, and the noble class. Finally, they delve into different afterlife scenarios, satisfaction in heaven, and trivia skills.

Ken Jennings won 74 straight episodes of Jeopardy back in 2004. Somehow he’s turned that winning streak into a career, and now co-hosts the surprisingly resilient game show.Peter Kafka talked to Jennings about his job and much more at the Crosscut Ideas Festival in Seattle. And while the sound quality isn’t pristine, the conversation covers a lot of ground. Jennings, for instance, talks about the tension between Jeopardy’s producers, who want to refresh the show in the hopes of bringing in new viewers, with its large and loyal audience, who want things kept the way they are. Also discussed: Why you still can’t stream Jeopardy! (blame it on syndication), the show’s attempts to diversify the contestant pool, and how, as a man who once competed against an AI named Watson (and lost), he sees AI could be used as a tool to help Jeopardy! in the future.Featuring: Ken Jennings (@KenJennings), Jeopardy! Co-HostHost: Peter Kafka (@pkafka), Senior Editor at RecodeMore to explore: Subscribe for free to Recode Media, Peter Kafka, one of the media industry's most acclaimed reporters, talks to business titans, journalists, comedians, and more to get their take on today's media landscape.About Recode by Vox: Recode by Vox helps you understand how tech is changing the world — and changing us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices