Ken Jennings Apologizes After ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Offends Fans — But There’s a Twist
Last week, “Jeopardy!” host Ken Jennings publicly apologized after the show sparked backlash over a clue referencing an internet meme known as 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 Meme Behind the Controversy
John Pork is an internet creation — a pig-headed man with a human body — who began appearing on Instagram and TikTok around 2018. The meme’s absurdity, similar to viral jokes like the “6-7” meme, has made it popular among younger audiences. As one Reddit user put it, it is “internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.”
Online creators often use John Pork to confuse older viewers or as part of humorous skits, such as adding him to family photos with tags like #funny and #johnpork.
The Lore of John Pork
Fans of the meme have expanded John Pork’s story through user-generated “lore.” According to this imagined backstory, John Pork was defeated by his rival Tim Cheese, a human-mouse hybrid. The details of their rivalry vary, but the idea caught on within meme culture and continued to evolve.
Pop Culture References
Posts parodying collaborations such as “Thunderbolts x John Pork” have circulated on social media, playfully blending the meme with Marvel-like promotions.
The Jeopardy! Incident
During the October 24 episode, “Jeopardy!” included a clue referencing John Pork in a category called “Daddy Is There Really A… No: A.I.” The strange inclusion led to mixed reactions online, with some fans amused and others offended, prompting Jennings’ statement.
Author’s Summary: Ken Jennings apologized for a “Jeopardy!” clue referencing the John Pork meme, which created confusion and humor among fans due to its surreal internet origins.