LeVar Burton has long been pegged by fans as an excellent choice to take over the Jeopardy! hosting role from the late Alex Trebek. When an extensive line-up of guest hosts were announced, fans were disappointed to see Burton’s name was not on the list.
And so, they did something about it. Petitions and public outcry, along with a strong social media movement finally came up trumps this week when the show’s producers announced Burton would be included with the newest selected group of guest hosts.
LeVar Burton ‘Overjoyed’ to Join Jeopardy! Guest Host Line-Up
Currently guest hosts, ranging from Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards to NFL quarterback, Aaron Rodgers have completed two week runs behind the host podium. Several more hosts including actress and scientist, Mayim Bialik and Dr. Sanjay Gupta were already in the line up and awaiting their turn.
As of this week five more hosts were announced including Good Morning America anchors Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos, CNBC financial analyst David Faber, sportscaster Joe Buck and of course, Reading Rainbow host and Star Trek alum, LeVar Burton.
Burton tweeted that he was “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!”
The Change.org petition to get Burton to the hosting podium had amassed almost a quarter million signatures.
Here’s hoping he can live up to the fan hype as fans will be thrilled to see Burton take over the hosting role permanently.
No word has come from Jeopardy! producers yet as to what the future plans are when it comes to permanently replacing beloved long time host, Trebek who died in November 2020 after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer.
Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings, who was the first guest host to step up has long been tipped to take over the role full time, however, rumors are circulating that he does not wish to take the permanent position.
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