Ken Jennings Jokes About Rivalry With Ryan Seacrest By Asking ‘Jeopardy’ Viewers If They Wish They’d Gone To A ‘Wheel Of Fortune’ Taping Instead

Ryan Seacrest is getting it from all sides today; first, the Wheel of Fortune host was the butt of a joke on Live with Kelly and Mark, when Kelly Ripa quipped that Seacrest left their co-hosting partnership last year without saying goodbye. And now, Seacrest’s fellow game show host Ken Jennings reportedly made a similarly playful remark, hinting at the pair’s rivalry as hosts of two of the most successful syndicated game shows around.

The US Sun reports that at a recent Jeopardy taping, Jennings was bantering with the audience, and asked them “if they enjoyed their time at the show.” Jennings allegedly followed up by “asking if any of them wished they’d gone to see Wheel of Fortune instead.”

The crowd reportedly “erupted in laughter and seemed to appreciate him making fun of the rivalry and not taking it so seriously,” per the Sun.

A source told the outlet that the quip seemed to be all in jest, saying, “Ken is very humble, really kind to everyone on set, and eager to answer questions from guests. It seems the role hasn’t gone to his head. There’s no ego about him at all.”

Jennings has been hosting Jeopardy in some capacity since 2020, while Seacrest took over for Pat Sajak as host of Wheel of Fortune in September. Since Seacrest’s arrive, Wheel of Fortune‘s ratings have reportedly been at their highest point in five years.

Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy airs on weeknights. Check your local listings for broadcast times.

In a light-hearted moment during a recent taping of “Jeopardy!”, host Ken Jennings drew laughter from the audience with a playful jab at his TV game show counterpart, Ryan Seacrest. Seacrest, who took over as host of “Wheel of Fortune” in September 2023, is seen as a friendly rival. Jennings asked, “Are you enjoying this show, or do you wish you’d gone to a ‘Wheel of Fortune’ taping instead?” His comment received warm laughter and applause, signaling that fans appreciated the humor and good sportsmanship.

Although “Jeopardy!” has long been regarded as the gold standard of quiz shows, “Wheel of Fortune” has recently seen a significant uptick in viewership since Seacrest took the helm. According to Nielsen data, “Wheel” drew an average of 7.99 million viewers in its first month under Seacrest, slightly edging out “Jeopardy!” which attracted 7.1 million.

Despite the ratings battle, Jennings has maintained a gracious and humorous demeanor. Sources reveal that Jennings even visited the “Wheel of Fortune” set to watch Seacrest in action. He was reportedly impressed, jokingly calling Seacrest “a much better host than me.” That comment, while self-deprecating, speaks to the mutual respect between the two television personalities.

The relationship between Jennings and Seacrest reflects more camaraderie than conflict. Both shows are produced by Sony Pictures Television and often air back-to-back, making them companions in the world of syndicated game shows. In fact, the two programs share a long history of crossover moments. One of the most iconic occurred on April Fools’ Day in 1997, when former “Wheel of Fortune” host Pat Sajak hosted “Jeopardy!” while Alex Trebek took over “Wheel” for the day — a move that still delights fans to this day.

Even as viewership numbers shift, Jennings remains devoted to upholding the legacy of the late Alex Trebek. He continues to bring a sense of integrity, intelligence, and warmth to the role. In a touching tribute, Jennings has mentioned that he still uses Trebek’s longtime hair stylist — a small but meaningful gesture to stay connected to the legacy of the legendary host.

Ken Jennings has proven himself more than capable of carrying the “Jeopardy!” torch. His wit, humility, and respect for the game’s traditions have endeared him to long-time fans. While a friendly rivalry with “Wheel of Fortune” may exist, it’s clear that both shows — and both hosts — share a commitment to quality entertainment.

In the end, whether viewers prefer the puzzle-solving fun of “Wheel” or the intellectual rigor of “Jeopardy!”, they’re in good hands. And with Jennings and Seacrest at the helm, the future of American game shows is as bright — and fun — as ever.