For many fans, Jeopardy, the decades-old game show where trivia buffs go head to head, will always correlate with Alex Trebek, who famously hosted the series from 1984 until he died in 2020. After fighting stage four pancreatic cancer, Trebek died last year at age 80.
Since his passing, fans of the show were left to wonder who would fill the longtime host’s shoes, and they quickly suggested LeVar Burton of Roots and Reading Rainbow fame. Following an online petition and countless outcries from viewers, Jeopardy’s producers have taken notice and announced that Burton would be featured on the show as a guest host, Variety reported.
Last year, fans of both the game show and Burton launched a Change.org petition asking Burton to take over Trebek’s role as the official Jeopardy host.
“This petition is to show Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and producers Mike Richards and Harry Friedman just how much love the public has for Burton, and how much we’d all love to see him as the next host of Jeopardy,” the petition read.
So far, it’s snagged over 247,000 signatures, nearly meeting its 300,000 signatures goal.
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Burton himself spoke out about the support last November. Also, he honored the late Trebek, tweeting, “Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex Trebeck’s family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend. #LongLiveAlex”
Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex Trebeck’s family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend. #LongLiveAlex
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020
Jeopardy has tested several guest hosts over the past few months, including former contestant Ken Jennings, who gained fame for having 74 consecutive wins on the game show. But now it’s finally Burton’s turn. Variety reported that he would be a member of the show’s final group of guest hosts to be featured on Jeopardy’s 37th season.
THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time. https://t.co/C7mZWMok2X
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 21, 2021
Burton tweeted yesterday about his excitement at the big opportunity, saying, “THANK YOU… to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy! and will do my utmost best to live up to your [faith in] me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time.”
We can’t wait to see what Burton brings to the Emmy-award-winning game show!
