Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans

Ken Jennings Apologizes After 'Jeopardy!' Clue Offends Fans

“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.

Confusing Meme Reference Sparks Backlash

Last week, “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings publicly apologized after the show faced criticism for a clue referring to an internet meme called John Pork. This character is an anthropomorphic pigman featuring a human body and a pig head, who has been appearing in Instagram and TikTok content since 2018.

“Internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.” — A Reddit user describing John Pork

John Pork is known for being as perplexing and silly as other viral jokes like the 6-7 meme. Sometimes, the meme is simply used to confuse older audiences.

The Meme’s Backstory and Popularity

Despite its absurdity, John Pork has inspired a fan-created internet lore. Supporters of the meme imagine stories about John Pork’s life, including his death at the hands of his nemesis Tim Cheese, who is depicted as a rodent-man with a mouse’s head and human body. The reasons behind this conflict vary among fans.

“Putting John Pork in the family photos #funny #johnpork #timcheese #prank #brainrot”

Pop Culture Appearance

One example of the meme’s reach is a reference to the Marvel Cinematic Universe with a tweet from Thunderbolts at Marvel Entertainment, highlighting the blend of meme culture with popular media.

The Controversial 'Jeopardy!' Clue

On the October 24 episode of "Jeopardy!", the writers included John Pork in a category called “Daddy Is There Really A…” leading to the unexpected backlash and Jennings’ apology.

Jennings’ Statement

Ken Jennings expressed regret for any offense caused, directly addressing the meme's subject.

Author’s summary: Ken Jennings issued an apology after a 'Jeopardy!' clue featuring the obscure internet meme John Pork confused and upset some fans, highlighting the unpredictable nature of meme culture in mainstream media.

HuffPost — 2025-11-05