Watch Ken Jennings Get Owned by a Witty ‘Jeopardy!’ Contestant’s Final Answer

From House Beautiful

Only two weeks on the job and interim Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings is already getting roasted by contestants—well, just one (for now). During the Jan. 19 episode, Jennings moderated Final Jeopardy!, giving the following clue: “Adjusted for inflation, the nightly rate this company put in its name in 1962 is now $51.” The correct answer was, “What is Motel 6?” but leading contestant Brian Chang didn’t know it, so he decided to have some fun—or rather, poke fun at Jennings.

Chang wrote, “What is H&R Block?” which is the same answer Jennings missed in 2004 as a contestant on the show, ending his 74-game winning streak. At the time, the clue was, “Most of this firm’s 70,000 seasonal white-collar employees work only four months a year.”

Once Jennings realized what Chang did, a smile crept across his face. “Ohhhhhh,” he mused. “Now Brian, I know from experience H&R Block is sometimes the right answer, but not today. Even though you brought back some bad memories for me, you’re still going to go home with $13,201.” Chang was obviously confident in his bold, sarcastic move, because he still walked away as the night’s winner.

Even the official Twitter account of Jeopardy! couldn’t help but applaud Chang’s wit, writing: “Elite trolling, Brian. Sorry, @KenJennings!” Chang replied: “Thanks for being a good sport (and awesome host)!”

Viewers were obviously very entertained by the moment. “Brian trolling @KenJennings with his Final Jeopardy ‘H&R Block’ answer was worth losing some money! Ken’s response was perfect,” one tweeted. “I heartily approve of trolling Ken Jennings with H&R Block,” another wrote.

Since starting the gig on Jan. 11, Jennings has been open about the “nerve-wracking” experience that is replacing the great Alex Trebek. “I’m like everybody else, I wish it was still Alex out there,” he told Seattle Refined. “But the main thing I noticed is what an amazing job he did, he made it always look so effortless and graceful.”

So far, Jeopardy! producers have announced a short list of interim guest hosts to follow Jennings after his round of episodes, which includes journalists Katie Couric and Bill Whitaker, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, and actress and neuroscientist Mayim Bialik. According to a press release from the show, additional guest hosts will be announced later in the season.

You Might Also Like

• 7 Secrets HomeGoods Employees Won't Tell You

• 19 Closet Organization Ideas You'll Want to Steal Immediately

• 15 Styling Tricks That Make A Small Living Room Seem Bigger Than It Is