Ken Jennings, the host of “Jeopardy!,” issued a public apology after a recent episode sparked backlash over a clue referencing the internet meme John Pork.
John Pork is an anthropomorphic character with a human body and a pig's head, appearing in Instagram and TikTok posts since 2018. The meme is known for its absurd and confusing nature, similar to the viral 6-7 joke. A Reddit user described it as “Internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.” The meme is sometimes used to confuse older audiences.
“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.
Despite its silliness, John Pork has developed a fan-created backstory. According to this lore, John Pork was killed by his nemesis Tim Cheese, a rodent-man with a mouse's head and human body. The reasons behind this vary among fans.
Examples of meme use include posts like:
The memetic figure was used as a clue in the Oct. 24 episode of “Jeopardy!” in the category titled “Daddy Is There Really A…” This choice led to confusion and criticism, prompting Jennings’ apology.
“No: A.I.”
Author’s summary: Ken Jennings apologized after a “Jeopardy!” clue about the John Pork meme upset some fans; this quirky pig-headed character has generated a unique online following and imaginative lore.