Ken Jennings, the well-known co-host of Jeopardy!, recently made a lighthearted reference to one of his most infamous moments as a contestant on the show. That’s exactly what happened in this on-field incident from October 2004. Little did he know, his wrong answer to a “Tool Time” category question would turn into an iconic moment, which continues to shock and awe fans even today.
The clue for $200 read: “This term for a long-handled gardening tool can also mean an immoral pleasure seeker.” Jennings responded with “What’s a hoe?” Although the correct answer was “rake,” host Alex Trebek’s reaction—an astonished “woah”—prompted laughter from the audience and highlighted the comedic nature of Jennings’ blunder.
Fast forward almost two decades, Jennings has since earned his place in the Jeopardy! He is the reigning champion of the longest winning streak in the show’s history. On top of that, he is known for getting the most average correct answers per game. After Trebek’s death in 2020, Jennings was named as interim host. After many months of rotating guest hosts, he was named the permanent co-host in 2022, alongside Mayim Bialik.
In December 2023, Bialik announced her exit from the hosting role, thus leaving Jennings as the only host going forward. In a recent episode contestant Micah Fritz selected “This is Not a Drill” for $400. Jennings was quick to seize the opportunity to joke about his earlier viral fame.
“It seems like ‘What is a hoe?’ is never correct out here.” – Ken Jennings
The audience roared with laughter at this smart lyrical callback. Even those viewers online were losing it. As one elated Reddit user put it simply, “I fucking froze my dvr and screamed This was a huge fright to my cats! A third added in, cackling, “I guess ‘What is a hoe’ is not the correct response on this one!” They continued, “LMAFO Ken.
Jennings reflected on the incident years later, expressing his thoughts about being incorrect in that moment: “TikTok has apparently just discovered this and is delighted. Yeah, why didn’t I get it right… I still think I was shafted, quite frankly. I think I’m owed $200 and maybe the writers should get a pool together.”
Trebek’s adroit response back in the day when this first happened still stands out. To which he nonchalantly responded, “Well, they teach you that in Utah’s schools, right?” This lively exchange only enhanced the legendary appeal of Jeopardy! It was an incredible demonstration of Jennings’ talents and it emphasized the fun environment Trebek fostered on set.
