Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s A Twist

Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s A Twist

On a recent episode of “Jeopardy!”, host Ken Jennings issued a public apology after the show faced criticism for a clue referencing an internet meme called John Pork.

“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.

The controversy arose when a clue mentioned John Pork — an anthropomorphic pigman with a human body and a pig head. Since 2018, he has been a recurring figure on Instagram and TikTok, often used in humorous or absurd contexts.

One Reddit user called the meme “internet nonsense aimed at bored teenagers,” reflecting its chaotic charm. The meme frequently confuses older audiences, appearing in various parodies, including fake family photos and prank edits.

Over time, the John Pork lore evolved within online communities. Fans created stories describing how he was allegedly “killed” by his nemesis, Tim Cheese — a half-human, half-mouse character whose motives vary depending on the version. This fan fiction has become part of the meme’s surreal mythology.

Due to John Pork’s online fame, “Jeopardy!” writers featured him in the Oct. 24 episode under the category “Daddy Is There Really A…”. The playful reference, however, was not well received by all viewers, prompting Jennings’ lighthearted but sincere apology.

Author’s Summary

Ken Jennings apologized after a “Jeopardy!” clue about the strange meme John Pork offended viewers, blending pop culture absurdity with traditional quiz show formality.

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HuffPost HuffPost — 2025-11-05

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