TV Shows | Apr 19, 2022 10:41 AM EDT

'Jeopardy!’ Fans Doubt Ken Jennings Capacity as Permanent Host – Here’s Why

By Liz Rowe

Fans of "Jeopardy!" are reportedly having second thoughts about Ken Jennings being the show's permanent host.

They have criticized his opening remarks on social media, arguing that it was all highly insulting.

After a long and comical Canada-themed opening, fans began to question who should be the permanent host of "Jeopardy!"

Jennings launched the April 18th edition of the hit game show with many Canadian jokes, noting that the 10-day reigning champion Mattea Roach is Canadian before naming various places, people, and things from the nation.

"Mounties, moose, maple syrup, ketchup chips... northern lights, Niagra Falls, Celine Dion, Norm Macdonald... Alex Trebek," he sang before the game began.

Contestants, on the other hand, giggled uneasily as Jennings joked about his Canada chorus.

However, not everyone on Twitter was laughing with him.

Some believed Ken Jennings' introduction was "cringey."

"What was with Kennings' long Canada-themed Jeoprady intro?" one Twitter user wondered.

Another person stated, "Oh, I shudder! Ken, I hope the Canadian writer didn't weave this basket of clichés."

A third participant claimed Jennings shouldn't even be trying to ridicule Canada, while a fourth felt the entire piece was "distracting."

"What's the deal with Ken spending so much time chatting when he comes out? I'm curious how many hints aren't read as a result of this."

However, not all fans were put off by Ken Jennings' "Jeopardy!" opener. A Twitter user expressed their belief that previous host Alex Trebek would have enjoyed the introduction.

Can Ken Jennings Pull It Off?

Since Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik are dividing hosting responsibilities, it's unclear who will be the permanent host of "Jeopardy!"

Fans couldn't help but notice his return to "Final Jeopardy!" and what they feel was a big gaffe on his first week back.

According to Jennings, Mattea was the only one who correctly answered that night's game-winning question, but Twitter stated he messed up since all three candidates got it right.

It was a debate about which conflict Winston Churchill deemed to be the "First World War."

Both first-time candidates said, "What is the French Indian War?" while Mattea said, "What is the Seven Years War?"

Fans were perplexed by the question because both replies alluded to "the same conflict."

Other fans were relieved to see Ken Jennings return since they think banter-heavy Mayim Bialik is a "poor" host, with viewers recognizing how many mistakes she made.