How Tall Is ‘Jeopardy!’ GOAT Ken Jennings?
Ken Jennings is once again at the guest host post on Jeopardy!. With a revolving door of television personalities taking a turn manning the trivia board, the Jeopardy! GOAT has the most experience by far on the beloved series. While fans are well aware of Jennings’ impressive intellect, some are curious how he measures up in height.
Mayim Bialik commented on Ken Jennings’ height
Jennings and Big Bang Theory alum Mayim Bialik are tag-teaming at the legendary lectern through 2021. Bialik hadn’t had much of an opportunity to get to know her fellow guest host, but was immediately struck by his stature and open to any wisdom he might have to offer on the game show.
“So far, Ken Jennings—who I am sharing hosting duties with for the rest of 2021—and I have only had the chance to interact once at a press conference,” Bialike wrote in Newsweek in September. “He is much taller than I thought he would be! I look forward to the opportunity to talk to him more. I’ll certainly take any pointers he’s got!”
According to Cinemablend, Jennings is approximately 5’10, which is about an inch taller than the average American male. The Jeopardy! star fell right in between his Greatest of All Time competitors in height, with Brad Rutter measuring at 6’0″ and James Holzhauer standing at 5’9″.
‘Jeopardy!’ GOAT revealed some behind-the-scenes blocking intel
Jennings hosts a podcast with John Roderick called “Omnibus” and recently described how height differences are handled on Jeopardy! He recalled auditioning for the game show with a friend who stood at 6’8″. When his pal didn’t get a spot, he assumed it was due to his impressive stature. Jennings revealed that sometimes physical stats make a difference when planning how to film the show.
“We both passed the test,” Jennings explained, as reported by Cinemablend. “I think he feels he was too tall for the show. Kareem [Abdul-Jabbar] has been on Jeopardy!, but typically they try to make everybody be the same height. They want the pan across the three contestants at the end not to be [sloping noise].”
The Jeopardy! GOAT shared some tricks utilized by the production staff to put contestants on equal footing, though some techniques needed to be discontinued for safety issues.
“Usually they put the others [shorter people] on boxes,” Jennings said. “Originally they had trap doors where they could lower people, but people kept falling down. You don’t want to play a game show in a hole. Now, the nice short lady can fall off her box. It’s a tough situation.”
Some ‘Jeopardy!’ fans vote for Ken Jennings to be permanent host
Regardless of height, Jennings remains a fan favorite. He originally guest hosted Jeopardy! in January 2021, following the death of beloved game show icon Alex Trebek in November 2020. Since returning to the podium on Nov. 8, many viewers are hoping he lands the gig full time.
“Great to have Ken back. He is the perfect Jeopardy! person to be host,” one follower wrote on Instagram.
Another posted, “Enough with the theatrics. Get Jennings in there full time!”
“In the first five minutes I can see for me, it’s Ken…no contest. Smooth, funny, charming,” a viewer remarked.
A permanent host of Jeopardy! has yet to be announced.
