Ken Jennings’ Love for Jeopardy! Keeps Him Hosting at a Bargain Price

Ken Jennings is thrilled to be hosting Celebrity Jeopardy! season 3, but sources say Sony bigwigs only gave him the plum gig ’cause he’s a cheap choice — and costs less than any other emcee!

The 50-year-old Jennings, who began as a winning contestant on Jeopardy!, became the face of the show’s franchise after fellow cohost, Big Bang Theory star Mayim Bialik, was axed in December 2023.

He reportedly earns $4 million a year — a drop in the bucket next to former host Alex Trebek, who was getting $18 million a year at the time of his tragic pancreatic cancer death in November 2020. “Ken is unquestionably the cheapest hosting option who fans actually know and like and who won’t ruin the show,” blabs an insider.

“That’s why he’s going to be in this role for along tie. He’s not going to lose this job over money, that’s for sure!”

And he reportedly isn’t bitter, since he’s “been clear from the tart that he’s not driven by money as much as a deep love for this game show that totally changed this life and made him world famous.

“That’s an admirable position for him to take, but it also gives the bosses at Sony TV all the power when it comes to his job.

“They know they can pay him a fraction of what they would have to pay a well-known celebrity, comedian or even a professional game-show host.

“As for his hosting the celebrity edition of the show, sure, it means a little more money for Ken, but the focus for Sony is to keep the overall franchise profitable. The more they use Ken, the more money they save!”

When the Seattle-bred game-show champ shared a selfie on the set of the spinoff series, fans were relieved.

Rumors bussed that Bialik might return to host Celebrity Jeopardy!, and Colin Jost, who has nabbed rave reviews for hosting Pop Culture Jeopardy!, was also up for the gig.

“Oh i’m so relieved to hear it’s Ken hosting! Yay!!!” one fan posts.

Another adds, “I LOVE YOU KEN.”

Adds the insider, “Just feeling the love from fans makes Ken a happy man, even if he is getting paid the bargain basement rate!”