5 Major Changes Coming to 'Jeopardy!'

Jeopardy! is back!

Ken Jennings steps behind the lectern tonight (Sept. 9) to kick off Season 41, his third as host of beloved quiz game show.

The premiere comes just days after the series collected its second Emmy Award for Outstanding Game Show, beating out other fan favorites Celebrity Family Feud, Password, The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune. Jeopardy! won this same category last year. Jennings was also nominated for Outstanding Host for a Game Show but lost to retired Wheel host Pat Sajak.

After legendary host Alex Trebeck's battle with cancer and a seemingly endless search for a new host, Jennings has finally settled into the role. The show has now aired more than 9,000 episodes. Saturday’s big win puts the show's total Emmy win at 45. In fact, the show holds the Guinness World Record for Most Emmy Awards Won by a TV Game Show.

With an audience of more than 20 million viewers, fans of Jeopardy! will still get the mental gymnastics they've come to adore from the show that celebrates and rewards knowledge but there are some changes coming.

The 5 biggest Jeopardy! changes for Season 41

1.The Second Chance and Champions Wildcard competitions are coming back. Watch for them in early 2025. Those will be followed by Jeopardy!'s most prestigious contest: the Jeopardy! Tournament of Champions.

You also won't want to miss the second annual Jeopardy! Invitational Tournament (JIT), the show’s newest event, which made its debut last season.

2. Ken Jennings’ third season behind as the host of Jeopardy! will also be his first solo outing. He had shared hosting duties with Mayim Bialik for the past two seasons.

3. New seasons typically begin with tournaments—and familiar faces—but Season 41 will open with a few months of regular games and new contestants.

4. Season 41 will have fewer tournaments than Season 40. You may remember that last season was a bit topsy-turvy due to the Hollywood strikes which forced producers to air more tournaments than usual. Season 41 will be back on par with the regular number of annual tournaments.

5. The Inside Jeopardy! podcast will have a new co-host. Currently co-hosted by producer Sarah Whitcomb Foss and Tournament of Champions winner Buzzy Cohen, someone new will be joining this season. (We wonder if it will be Michael Harris?)

Tune in tonight to see reigning champion Rachel Bradley return for the show's debut. Will she continue her streak when the new season debuts? Check your local listings on times and when to watch here, https://www.jeopardy.com/watch.