The Political Scene | The New Yorker · The New Yorker

Ken Jennings on Why Facts Still Matter on “Jeopardy!”

November 26, 2025·45 min·4 clips

Ken Jennings describes seeing tears and panic attacks backstage at Jeopardy!.

Ken Jennings discusses his journey from record-breaking Jeopardy! contestant to host, sharing insights on game strategy, contestant psychology, and the show's cultural significance in an era of politicized facts. The conversation touches on behind-the-scenes moments, evolution of gameplay, and personal anecdotes from his career.

As heard by us

A smart look at trivia, merit, and why facts still matter in public.

The episode uses Ken Jennings to make a plain argument with real moving parts: facts still matter in public, and Jeopardy! remains one of the clearest places to see that case at work.

Read the full review in PlayNext →

Why you'd press play

You want a smart conversation about trivia, merit, and who gets counted.

Read the full recommendation in PlayNext →

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