He Mocked Fresno (and Others). Now, Jeopardy's Jennings Offers Blanket Apology.

By David Taub, Senior Reporter

Published 4 years ago on

December 31, 2020

Ten days before Ken Jennings takes over the lectern on “Jeopardy!,” he is offering an apology for those he insulted on Twitter.

“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,” Jennings wrote in a five-part tweet on Wednesday.

“Sometimes I said dumb things in a dumb way and I want to apologize to people who were (rightfully!) offended. It wasn’t my intention to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t matter: I screwed up, and I’m truly sorry,” Jennings wrote.

Among those unartful tweets — a backhanded slam at Fresno earlier this month.

“The Grapes of Wrath is probably the only movie where the happy ending is a family moving to Fresno,” Jennings tweeted.

His Fresno crack was not the first time Jennings’ keyboard landed him in hot water.

Jennings has taken heat before for prior tweets mocking the disabled, a late Star Wars fan, and Baron Trump, the son of President Donald Trump.

An image of Ken Jennings’ tweet about Fresno.

Starring in Another Game Show Next Week

Jennings will serve the interim host for “Jeopardy!” following the death of host Alex Trebek last month. The first Jennings episode is scheduled to air Jan. 11 on ABC 30 in Fresno.

Before that, Jennings is set to star in another game show, “The Chase,” airing on ABC starting Jan. 7.

A news release describes the show as a “heart-racing quiz show where three competitors must pit their wits and face off against the Chaser, a ruthless quiz genius determined to stop them from winning cash prizes.”

Jennings will be one of the “chasers,” along with other Jeopardy! greats Brad Rutter and James Holzhauer. Sara Haines from “The View” will serve as host.

In the past, I’d usually leave bad tweets up just so they could be dunked on. At least that way they could lead to smart replies and even advocacy. Deleting them felt like whitewashing a mistake. 2/x

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 30, 2020

Sometimes I said dumb things in a dumb way and I want to apologize to people who were (rightfully!) offended. It wasn’t my intention to hurt anyone, but that doesn’t matter: I screwed up, and I’m truly sorry. 4/x

— Ken Jennings (@KenJennings) December 30, 2020

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

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David Taub,

Senior Reporter

Curiosity drives David Taub. The award-winning journalist might be shy, but feels mighty with a recorder in his hand. He doesn't see it his job to "hold public officials accountable," but does see it to provide readers (and voters) the information needed to make intelligent choices. Taub has been honored with several writing awards from the California News Publishers Association. He's just happy to have his stories read. Joining GV Wire in 2016, Taub covers politics, government and elections, mainly in the Fresno/Clovis area. He also writes columns about local eateries (Appetite for Fresno), pro wrestling (Off the Bottom Rope), and media (Media Man). Prior to joining the online news source, Taub worked as a radio producer for KMJ and PowerTalk 96.7 in Fresno. He also worked as an assignment editor for KCOY-TV in Santa Maria, California, and KSEE-TV in Fresno. He has also worked behind the scenes for several sports broadcasts, including the NCAA basketball tournament, and the Super Bowl. When not spending time with his family, Taub loves to officially score Fresno Grizzlies games. Growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area, Taub is a die-hard Giants and 49ers fan. He graduated from the University of Michigan with dual degrees in communications and political science. Go Blue! You can contact David at 559-492-4037 or at Send an Email