Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s A Twist
“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.
Prepare yourself for a mental workout. Last week, “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings issued a public apology after backlash over a clue referencing an internet meme called John Pork.
About John Pork Meme
John Pork is an anthropomorphic character with a human body and a pig’s head, appearing in Instagram and TikTok posts since 2018. The meme is as quirky and confusing as other internet phenomena, like the viral 6-7 joke. One Reddit user summed it up as “Internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.” John Pork is sometimes used simply to baffle older audiences.
“Putting John Pork in the family photos #funny #johnpork #timcheese #prank #brainrot”
The Internet Lore Around John Pork
Despite its silliness, John Pork has inspired fan-generated “lore.” According to this, John Pork was allegedly killed by his nemesis Tim Cheese, a rodent-man with a mouse’s head and human body. The reasons behind this vary among fans.
Related Pop Culture References
John Pork has even crossed into broader pop culture, as seen in a promotional tweet:
“Thunderbolts x John Pork 👀 Thunderbolts* @Marvel Entertainment In Cinemas May 1st!”
“Jeopardy!” Episode Featuring John Pork
Given John Pork’s niche popularity, “Jeopardy!” included him in a clue during the episode aired on October 24, under the category titled “Daddy Is There Really A…”
Jennings’ apology suggests sensitivity to how this odd meme was presented, despite its lighthearted nature.
Author’s Summary
This incident highlights the challenges media faces when integrating obscure internet culture, as even playful references can unintentionally offend viewers.