Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s a Twist
Last week, “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings found himself apologizing publicly after the show received backlash for using an internet meme called John Pork as a clue.
“John, I hope you’ll forgive me and all of us at 'Jeopardy!' for any insult we may have committed against you or your memory,” Jennings said.
Who Is John Pork?
John Pork is an internet meme featuring a pig-headed man with a human body. Since 2018, he has appeared across Instagram and TikTok as part of absurd and humorous content, often described by internet users as “nonsense aimed at bored teenagers.”
The meme occasionally confuses older viewers and is used in humorous edits such as adding John Pork to family photos or parody videos tagged with #johnpork and #prank.
The Strange Lore Behind the Meme
Fans have created elaborate backstories for the character, often referred to as “John Pork lore.” In these stories, he is said to have been killed by his rival Tim Cheese, a mouse-headed man with a human body. The reasons for this fictional conflict vary widely depending on the individual fan’s imagination.
‘Jeopardy!’ Backlash
During the October 24 episode, the show referenced John Pork in a clue under the category “Daddy Is There Really A…”. Many viewers were confused or offended by the reference, prompting Ken Jennings to issue his light-hearted apology.
Viral Reaction
Online discussion exploded following the episode, with some fans amused by the bizarre inclusion and others perplexed by how such internet lore had made its way onto national television.
Author’s summary: Ken Jennings humorously apologized for a “Jeopardy!” clue about internet meme John Pork, whose surreal backstory involving Tim Cheese baffled many viewers online.