Jeopardy! host Ken Jennings shared that he and fantasy author Brandon Sanderson were roommates while both attended Brigham Young University in the 1990s, including stories about Sanderson’s night-shift hotel job and the sheer scale of his novels.
Ken Jennings didn’t have to reach far for the origin story—he already lived it.
During an on-set Q&A later shared on Jeopardy!. social media accounts, the 52-year-old Jeopardy!. host revealed that he and bestselling fantasy author Brandon Sanderson were college roommates. The two attended Brigham Young University in Utah during the 1990s. sharing an apartment before Sanderson became one of the most recognizable names in fantasy.
Jennings recalled that, at the time, Sanderson wasn’t writing with the kind of spotlight that comes later. “At the time, Brandon was just working at the Best Western near our house. He was the night shift desk clerk. ” Jennings said. adding that the schedule seemed to come with plenty of quiet hours for writing. “He was the night shift desk clerk. which I guess leaves you lots of time to write 1. 200-page novels with. you know. 78 characters in them. ” he continued.
The roommate dynamic, Jennings joked, kept him grounded. He said having Sanderson around made him feel “less nerdy” by comparison—because in that apartment. he wasn’t the most obsessive one. “I was just like. ‘Well. at least I’m not the nerdiest guy in the apartment for a change.’ That was very nice.”.
Sanderson’s talent. Jennings said. was obvious even then—because it turned into a career that now reaches far beyond Utah. Jennings praised Sanderson’s success. noting that he’s struck major deal momentum. including an “Apple TV deal.” He also joked that Sanderson “doesn’t fly commercial anymore” and instead owns a private plane. framing it like a bold twist on their old roommate math. “That’s how many books that guy has sold. So I’m also the second most successful person in the apartment.”.
The update behind that brag is very real. Back in January. Apple TV picked up the rights to Sanderson’s Cosmere universe. which includes his Mistborn and The Stormlight Archives series. for film and television. And Sanderson’s broader screen push is still expanding—another hugely popular fantasy series is moving forward to series at Amazon.
The picture Jennings painted is both funny and striking: in one apartment, a future fantasy powerhouse was drafting massive novels through hotel night shifts—while the future game-show champion took comfort in knowing he wasn’t the biggest nerd at the table anymore.
Ken Jennings Jeopardy! Brandon Sanderson Brigham Young University Best Western Cosmere Mistborn The Stormlight Archives Apple TV Amazon series
Wait so he really was writing all those books from a hotel? wild.
I don’t even watch Jeopardy! but Ken saying Sanderson had 1,200-page novels with like 78 characters?? Sounds fake or they messed up the number.
Ken was like “at least I’m not the nerdiest guy” but cmon, Ken is literally Ken. Also didn’t Sanderson already have a movie deal like years ago? feels like they’re rewriting history.
So they were roommates at BYU in the 90s and the Best Western night shift is what made the Cosmere? Idk that feels too convenient. Like sure it’s cool, but Apple TV and Amazon could’ve happened regardless. Also I’m imagining Ken studying while Brandon is clocking in and I can’t tell if that’s wholesome or kinda sad.