Star Trek’s LeVar Burton might just be the next host of Jeopardy!. In the wake of the death of long-time and beloved Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek, a few names have been thrown around by fans of the game show, but none have gathered momentum like Burton.
A fan launched a Change.org petition to make Burton the next host of Jeopardy! At time of the posting of this article, the petition has already gathered over 60,000 signatures!
The actor is well positioned for the role after hosting Reading Rainbow for 21 years. He established himself as an advocate for education. In addition to the name recognition from the PBS series, Burton is well known thanks to his role as engineer extraordinaire Geordi LaForge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and for playing Kunta Kinte in the 1977 ABC miniseries Roots.
LeVar Burton endorsed the petition stating, “Even if nothing comes from it, I can’t tell how much how I appreciate all y’alls love and support! Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex Trebek’s family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend.”
A DREAM JOB HOSTING JEOPARDY!
The idea of Burton hosting Jeopardy! is not something new. At the 2018 Star Trek convention is Las Vegas, Burton told attendees, “I’ve made it very clear… when Alex Trebek retires in two years, I want that job.”
Earlier in 2018, Burton tweeted his desire to replace Trebek when his contract ended in 2020: “Sorry, brother! There is only one game show I’ve ever wanted to host… This Is Jeopardy!”
At the time, Trebek was talking about retiring when his contract ended in 2020. However, Trebek re-up his contract to continue hosting Jeopardy! until 2022. But the much-admired Canadian game show host was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, which he publicly announced on March 6, 2019. He passed away peacefully at home on Nov. 8, 2020.
Ken Jennings is another top name floating around as a replacement for Trebek. Jennings certainly has the gravitas to host the show where he was crowned “Greatest of All Time” champion. However, we don’t feel he has the natural charisma of someone like Burton.
We love the idea of LeVar Burton becoming the next host of Jeopardy! What do you think?
