By .
LeVar Burton is finally taking his place behind the podium. After a massive fan push to see Burton take the helm as the new “Jeopardy!” host, the star began his run of guest-hosted episodes on Monday.
Before the game kicked off, Burton took the stage and delivered a message to the fans watching, in which he shared his gratitude and hope to live up to Alex Trebek’s indelible legacy during his time as the show’s temporary trivia master.
“As a longtime viewer of the show, I am thrilled to have the opportunity to guest host ‘Jeopardy!’ And I’m proud to be here to honour Alex’s legacy,” Burton shared. “I’m gonna do my best to ensure that these talented ‘Jeopardy!’ contestants enjoy their moment here as well.”
Burton — best known for his roles on “Reading Rainbow, Roots” and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” — will be the guest host through July 30.
.@levarburton is excited to start the week as our next guest host! pic.twitter.com/sUSfZCApF2
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) July 26, 2021
Burton’s time on the show comes as part of a rotating line-up of guest hosts who have stepped into the role following Trebek’s death in November after a battle with Stage 4 pancreatic cancer. The nine-time Emmy winner hosted the show for 40 years, throughout his cancer fight and all the way until his death.
Unlike many of the guest hosts who have helmed the show in recent months, Burton has long been a fan favourite to be named as a permanent host. Efforts have included a widely spread petition, which Burton has vocally endorsed.
On Monday, many of Burton’s fans took to social media to share their love and support for his time behind the storied “Jeopardy!” podium.
Ok #Jeopardy, LeVar Burton MUST be the new permanent host come September.#LeVaronJeopardy #LeVarBurton pic.twitter.com/pXa1fVZ4d4
— AC Junior ? (@CamJunior1972) July 26, 2021
A: This person is the rightful heir apparent #Jeopardy host.
Q: What/Who is #LevarBurton?” pic.twitter.com/46y7xlHvXY— dsykes (@dssykkess) July 26, 2021
IT’S HAPPENING!!!! ?? #LeVarBurton on #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/VKeuL8e5wC
— Andrea G. Bigelow (@Yummy2YourTummy) July 26, 2021
Jeopardy right now and support the new host. This is who we want full time lets go. #LeVarBurton #Jeopardy pic.twitter.com/fisLeBmVAf
— DC (@RealDCJerseyBoy) July 26, 2021
Not sure who made this but brilliant. #jeopardy #startrek #LeVarBurton pic.twitter.com/eN8Ul4AQND
— Name Cannot Be Blank (@AllTheBabyBirds) July 26, 2021
The guest host of Jeopardy tonight who should be hired as the permanent host ASAP.
Answer: Who is @levarburton ? ?#LeVarBurton #LeVaronJeopardy pic.twitter.com/2TOMFb9PAM— Karen Hallion (@Khallion) July 27, 2021
Burton opened up on “The Tamron Hall Show” on Monday morning about taking on the challenge of stepping into Trebek’s incomparable game show hosting shoes, and said he feels it’s a “good fit” for him.
“I think that having the job of hosting ‘Jeopardy!’, for me, it just feels like a natural progression,” he explained. “It encompasses almost everything that I’ve been about for the last 45 years of my career. It just seems like a good fit to me.”
“That’s why I was so public about it,” he shares. “It could have backfired, but I felt like if I didn’t do everything I could to advocate for the job, I would never forgive myself. So, I took a risk, and was very, very public about wanting the job.”
Burton is one of six hosts in “Jeopardy!”s final round of guest hosts to close out the 37th season of the game show.
The show’s Instagram account announced their final lineup in April, which along with Burton, included TV personalities Robin Roberts, George Stephanopoulos, David Faber and Joe Buck.
MORE FROM ET:
LeVar Burton on Why He Wants to Be the Next Host of ‘Jeopardy!’
‘Jeopardy!’ Apologizes for ‘Outdated’ Medical Clue Following Criticism
‘Jeopardy!’ Contestants React to Winner’s Alleged White Power Gesture
LeVar Burton, Robin Roberts & More in Final Group of ‘Jeopardy!’ Hosts
Anderson Cooper’s Son Watches Him on ‘Jeopardy!’ as He Guest Hosts