Ken Jennings Apologizes Over ‘Jeopardy!’ Clue Featuring John Pork Meme
“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,” Ken Jennings said. Last week, the 'Jeopardy!' host publicly apologized after backlash over a clue referencing an internet meme called John Pork.
About the John Pork Meme
John Pork is an anthropomorphic figure with a human body and a pig’s head, popular in Instagram and TikTok content since 2018. This meme is as strange and confusing as other viral internet jokes, such as the 6-7 joke. One Reddit user described it as:
“Internet nonsense that is aimed at bored teenagers.”
The meme is often used to confuse or amuse older generations.
Fan Lore Around John Pork
Despite its silliness, John Pork has inspired its own fan-generated internet lore. One story claims he was killed by his nemesis, Tim Cheese, who is depicted as a humanoid with a mouse’s head. The reasons behind this vary among fans.
- John Pork appears in memes like family photos tagged with #funny, #johnpork, and #prank.
- His rivalry with Tim Cheese adds a narrative element to the meme's community.
Recent ‘Jeopardy!’ Episode Inclusion
Due to John Pork’s popularity, writers included him as a clue on the October 24 episode of 'Jeopardy!' in a category titled “Daddy Is There Really A…”. This sparked the controversy that led Jennings to issue his apology.
Additional Cultural References
The meme gained enough traction to cross over into other media, such as a promotional tie-in with Marvel Entertainment’s “Thunderbolts” movie, which released on May 1.
Thunderbolts x John Pork 👀 Thunderbolts* @Marvel Entertainment In Cinemas May 1st!
This further shows how widespread and unexpected the meme’s influence has become.
Summary: Ken Jennings apologized after ‘Jeopardy!’ used the bizarre and popular John Pork meme in a clue, sparking fan backlash over its confusing internet origins and fan lore.