Ken Jennings: 'Jeopardy!' Secrets, '80s Wrestlers, and His New Quiz Book

The Origins of Kennections

Ken Jennings has been a household name in the world of trivia for over a decade. His weekly Kennections quiz, which appears on Mental Floss, challenges even seasoned trivia enthusiasts. The format is simple: five questions, and then identifying what connects all the answers. Now, fans can enjoy 1000 of these puzzles in a book titled The Complete Kennections.

Jennings shared how the idea for Kennections originated. It started as a puzzle concept from Parade magazine, which had the name "Kennections" but no clear format. When Parade was bought out, the quiz moved to Mental Floss, where it has thrived. However, many of the older quizzes are now lost online. To preserve them, Jennings compiled them into a book that includes 5000 questions across 1000 puzzles, published by Simon and Schuster.

Creating a Kennections Quiz

The process of creating a Kennections quiz involves balancing trivia with a common theme. Jennings often draws from double meanings or obscure connections. For example, "Superman" can refer to a comic, a movie, an exercise, and even an R.E.M. song. He typically starts with a theme and builds around it, testing if other answers fit. His phone notes app is filled with ideas waiting for the right fourth or fifth answer.

Jennings also mentioned that he sometimes finds inspiration in everyday situations, like looking at bagel flavors in a menu. He emphasized that while some quizzes can be challenging, he tries to ensure they remain solvable. He uses a difficulty slider in the book, allowing readers to adjust the challenge level by covering parts of the page or solving it in a different style.

Testing and Feedback

Jennings relies on his family, especially his kids, to test his quizzes. His children have become adept at suggesting themes and helping refine the puzzles. They often come up with ideas themselves, influenced by their interests in areas like baseball and Broadway.

He also shared tips for solving Kennections, such as using the "concealer" feature in the book to make the quiz easier. This allows readers to choose their own difficulty level without revealing the answers immediately.

Comparing Kennections and The New York Times Connections

When asked about The New York Times Connections quiz, Jennings praised it as a fun game he plays daily. However, he noted that it is younger than Kennections and avoids duplicating its themes. Despite this, he occasionally recognizes themes from his book when playing the New York Times version.

Hosting Jeopardy!

As the host of Jeopardy!, Jennings has a unique perspective on the show. He admitted that he will never replicate Alex Trebek's legacy, who was perfectly suited for the role. However, he brings a contestant's perspective to the set, aiming to calm players and make them feel supported.

Jennings works closely with the writers' room, though he acknowledges their expertise. While he occasionally suggests clues or categories, the writers are highly skilled and rarely need his input. He also shared that he has a list of Jeopardy! ideas in his notes app, some of which have made it onto the show.

Personal Stories and Anecdotes

Jennings shared some personal stories from his Jeopardy! days, including a funny anecdote about a llama spitting on him in Peru. He also mentioned that the show does not fact-check contestants' stories, adding a humorous twist to the experience.

When asked about memorable answers from his Jeopardy! run, he recalled a Final Jeopardy! question about H&R Block, which he got wrong. On the flip side, he was proud of getting a question about the invention of the dishwasher correct, as it involved a lesser-known historical figure.

Beyond Jeopardy!

Jennings captained his college quiz bowl team, where he specialized in movies and literature. He found that being part of a team allowed him to focus on his strengths while relying on others for other categories.

He also shared his favorite fact about '80s pro wrestling, which led to a joke about the power of his suggestions on Jeopardy! After jokingly requesting an '80s monster truck category, he realized the potential consequences of his influence.

Reading and Other Interests

Jennings enjoys reading multiple books at once, currently juggling a novel about Norwegian mythology and the 1968 protests, as well as a book about Tori Amos’ album Boys for Pele. He also appreciates the works of Anthony Trollope, noting their realistic portrayal of 19th-century life.

Try Your Hand at Kennections

Fans of trivia and puzzles can now enjoy The Complete Kennections in book form. With 1000 quizzes and 5000 questions, it offers a comprehensive challenge for anyone looking to test their knowledge. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the game, there's something for everyone in this collection.