Ken Jennings

‘Jeopardy!' Returns With New Setup and New Role for Jennings

Ken Jennings took last year's “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time" title

This image released by JEOPARDY! shows Ken Jennings, a 74-time champion of the show.
JEOPARDY! via AP

"Jeopardy!" is returning for its 37th season, with greater social distance between Alex Trebek and the contestants, and a new role for all-time great contestant Ken Jennings.

A redesigned set for the coronavirus era will allow for the contestants to be further apart and at a greater distance from Trebek, who has continued as host after a diagnosis last year of pancreatic cancer.

Trebek said last month that he’s responding exceptionally well to treatment for and expects to mark his two-year survival next February.

Alex Trebek isn't slowing down. The iconic "Jeopardy!" host is back at work following intense chemotherapy and announced the happy news in a behind-the-scenes video message to fans. Trebek shared hope for Season 36 of the long-running game show, along with gratitude to be able to continue doing what he loves, and proved his sense of humor remained intact throughout his difficult health ordeal.

The casting of contestants was done entirely online for this season, which was shot without a studio audience.

Jennings, the record-setting contestant who won on 74 straight shows and took last year's “Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time" title, is joining the series as a consulting producer.

He'll appear on-air with his own video categories, develop projects and act as a public ambassador for the show.

“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 in a statement. “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.”

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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