Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s A Twist
Last week, “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings publicly apologized following backlash over a clue inspired by the internet meme John Pork. The question, meant to be humorous, unintentionally upset some viewers.
“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 Meme Behind the Controversy
John Pork is an anthropomorphic pigman with a human body and a pig’s head who first appeared on Instagram and TikTok in 2018. The character became an absurd internet meme, comparable in confusion to the viral “6-7 joke.” As one Reddit user put it:
“Internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.”
Memes featuring John Pork often playfully confuse older audiences, with users creating posts such as: “Putting John Pork in the family photos.”
John Pork’s Internet Lore
Over time, fans built a fictional universe around the character. According to this fan-made lore, John Pork was supposedly killed by his rival Tim Cheese, a mouse-headed humanoid. The context of their rivalry changes across different posts, showing how creatively fans expand the story.
Thunderbolts x John Pork 👀 Thunderbolts* @Marvel Entertainment In Cinemas May 1st!
‘Jeopardy!’ Writers Join the Fun
Given the meme’s cultural reach, the writers of “Jeopardy!” decided to include John Pork as part of a clue in the Oct. 24 episode under the category “Daddy Is There Really A…”. The humorous nod, labeled “No: A.I.,” sparked mixed reactions from audiences who found it either funny or bewildering.
Author’s Summary
Ken Jennings apologized after a “Jeopardy!” clue about the John Pork meme upset viewers, showing how online humor can unexpectedly collide with mainstream media.