'Jeopardy' Interim Host Ken Jennings Apologizes for Past 'Unartful and Insensitive' Tweets

'Jeopardy' champion and interim host Ken Jennings issued an apology after his old offensive and insensitive tweets resurfaced.

Ken Jennings visits SiriusXM Studios.
Getty

Image via Getty

Ken Jennings visits SiriusXM Studios.

Jeopardy champion and interim host Ken Jennings issued an apology via Twitter Wednesday in response to "some unartful and insensitive things" he tweeted over the last several years. 

Hey, I just wanted to own up to the fact that over the years on Twitter, I've definitely tweeted some unartful and insensitive things. Sometimes they worked as jokes in my head and I was dismayed to see how they read on screen. 1/x

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 30, 2020

Jennings explained that his previous practice of deleting certain tweets while keeping others to "be dunked on" created a misconception about his understanding of the backlash he received in response to his failed jokes.  

But I think that practice may have given the impression I stand by every failed joke I've ever posted here. Not at all! 3/x

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 30, 2020

If there was any lingering skepticism about his remorse for those tweets from the past, Jennings formally apologized, adding that this year has taught many people, himself included, about the importance of being kinder to one another. 

If 2020 has taught us anything, it's that we should be kinder to one another. I look forward to heading into 2021 with that in mind. 5/x

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 30, 2020

Jennings came under fire last month when it was announced that he would be the first person tasked with filling the shoes of Jeopardy host Alex Trebek, who passed away in early November at the age of 80. The fallout stemmed from an unearthed 2014 tweet that was offensive.

Ah, I see @Jeopardy has chosen Ken Jennings as first interim host.

Alex Trebek was it kind, goodhearted man.

Ken is a bully who thinks it's fun to mock people with disabilities.

Then double down when called out instead of apologizing.

Bad choice, Jeopardy. pic.twitter.com/aT6AdP8cbs

— Steven Spohn (Spawn) (@stevenspohn) November 24, 2020

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