AFSCME 3357-HOF'S BLOG

Ken Jennings: The next William Hung?

Ken Jennings, a mild-mannered Utah resident software enginener who makes up quiz show questions on the side, has been quietly making history and is poised for 15 minutes of fame the likes of which hasn't been seen since William Hung first "banged" at the American Idol tryouts.

Ken has been raking in the dough as a record-setting contestant on Jeopardy. Until last fall, the show automatically retired its champions after the fifth win. They changed the rule, and now Ken Jennings is on a roll. I think he's up to 16 wins and counting as we speak, and if he wins on today's show, he's likely to cross the $500,000 mark in winnings.

Is he that good? He's good alright. Now, with so much experience playing the game, anyone who beats him will have to be not only smarter, but also an expert at the nuances of the game. I have nothing against him, but I want Ken to lose, so I can see him going head-to-head in the Tournament of Champions against the other master players, such as my all-time favorite: Chuck Forrest (Forest?). Chuck was amazing to watch. He'd cut in and out of the middle of catagories, controlling the board. By the time the other contestants realized the category, Chuck had already answered the question.

The Salt Lake Tribune -- Q: 'Jeopardy' Champ; A: Who is Utahn Ken Jennings?