'Jeopardy!' host Ken Jennings has '100% empathy' for contestants' show fails

On the opening night red carpet for the TCM Classic Film Festival, Jennings praised his predecessor, the late Alex Trebek, but noted "one difference" they have.

"Alex was a perfect host, but if there's one difference between us is I remember what it was like to be a contestant. My heart just goes out to these people," Jennings told Fox News Digital.

The Seattle-born host began his "Jeopardy!" career 20 years ago, winning over $2.5 million over the course of 74 consecutive games.

He continued, "It's their first time on TV, and we throw them into this crucible. It's a high-pressure environment, so I'm always thinking, how can I make these people comfortable? Please, please get this right, somebody." 

"I'm 100% empathy out there for these three people," Jennings added.

"In the 1939 movie of 'The Wizard of Oz,' the Munchkins are very small, but in the book, the Munchkins are said to be about Dorothy's height," Jennings told them.

WATCH: 'JEOPARDY!' HOST KEN JENNINGS SHARES KEY DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIM AND 'PERFECT' ALEX TREBEK

Jennings took over hosting duties in 2020 after the death of Trebek from pancreatic cancer. 

"Everybody there was very emotional, and I had to be the one talking through it, even though I probably knew him least of all 100 people on set, crew and the staff. It was very scary. You're aware that the audience does not want you there. They're like me, they want the other guy, and I was missing him too. I'm like, 'I don't want to be here. I would give anything to not be here right now,'" Jennings told the outlet.

At the TCM Classic Film Festival, Jennings did some additional hosting duties, introducing two films in their line-up, and found another connection with Trebek.

"[TCM] is a big part of our process at 'Jeopardy!' because Alex always had TCM on backstage, and he was very knowledgeable, he knew his stuff," Jennings said.