LeVar Burton Backs Petition Calling For Him To Become New ‘Jeopardy!’ Host: ‘I Really Think I’m The Right Person For The Gig’
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Following the death of TV icon Alex Trebek last year, producers of “Jeopardy!” have been bringing in a rotating array of guest hosts until deciding on a permanent replacement.
While celebs ranging from Katie Couric to Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers have taken a turn behind the game show’s lectern, a new petition is gaining steam for LeVar Burton to take over as permanent “Jeopardy!” host.
So far, the petition has garnered over 244,000 signatures.
RELATED: Petition Wants ‘Star Trek: TNG’/’Reading Rainbow’ Star LeVar Burton As Next ‘Jeopardy!’ Host
Burton himself is aware of the movement, and shared a link to the petition on Twitter.
Leaving this here in the event the powers that be are listening… https://t.co/xB3x8atDCv
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 6, 2021
The former “Reading Rainbow” host and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star received the seal of approval from “The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert,’ who tweeted that he’d love to see Burton host “Jeopardy!” — but in character as his “Trek” character, Geordi La Forge.
“And the buzzers should be phasers,” Colbert continued. “And Data should be the judge. And it should be in space. And just be ‘Star Trek’.”
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 7, 2021
Burton also did a digital double take when TV legend Dick Van Dyke likewise tweeted a link to the petition (which was seconded by Holly Robinson Peete).
“OMG!” Burton wrote in his retweet, adding the hashtag #bydhttmwfi (which stands for “but you don’t have to take my word for it”).
OMG! #bydhttmwfi https://t.co/QZ2FZSlkwz
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 7, 2021
?
— Holly Robinson Peete?? (@hollyrpeete) April 7, 2021
Other celebs who are pulling for Burton to succeed Trebek include comedian Paul F. Tompkins, actors Yvette Nicole Brown and David Alan Grier, and several of Burton’s “TNG” co-stars.
I also want ‘Reading Rainbow’ legend Levar Burton to host ‘Jeopardy!’ https://t.co/ayPSL031G1
— Paul F. Tompkins (@PFTompkins) April 7, 2021
The easiest! Please Listen?? To??Us?? @Jeopardy! @levarburton IS the choice! https://t.co/VOGySB4ong
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) April 7, 2021
U didn’t know u wanted to do that?
— David Alan Grier (@davidalangrier) April 7, 2021
When is Jeopardy going to get it? The public wants @levarburton to host the show!
— Brent Spiner (@BrentSpiner) April 6, 2021
Sony Pictures Entertainment: LeVar Burton should be the next host of Jeopardy! – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/Hl1VzYGr0M via @Change
— Jonathan Frakes (@jonathansfrakes) April 6, 2021
Sony Pictures Entertainment: LeVar Burton should be the next host of Jeopardy! – Sign the Petition! https://t.co/DMPp35Sgtu via @Change I Wouldn’t miss a show! ?
— Terry Farrell (@4TerryFarrell) April 6, 2021
Burton then spoke about the possible “Jeopardy!” hosting job as he appeared as a guest on SiriusXM Urban View’s “The Karen Hunter Show”.
Hunter and co-host Don Calloway campaigned for Burton to be the new host with the hashtag #Levar4Jeopardy, with Hunter saying: “How can we get you hosting ‘Jeopardy!’ Please? I need to know… I can’t watch it right now. It’s unwatchable. And I know that you would bring, first of all, seriousness, we know you read and know stuff. You’re vocal delivery, amazing. You got the right amount of snark the way Alex Trebek did, because he trolled people because he knew a lot more than some of the contestants, which you do too. And you got all of this beautiful, gorgeous melanin. What can we do?”
Burton said, “Hold the energy, and if you are so inclined, say a little prayer for Kunta,” adding: “I really think I’m the right person for the gig.”
