‘Jeopardy!’ longtime fan LeVar Burton finally got his opportunity behind the podium, hosting the much loved trivia show.
Burton’s opportunity to host came after more than 250,000 fans signed a petition urging producers to give him a chance. The Reading Rainbow host thanked those fans who lobbied on his behalf.
‘Jeopardy!’: LeVar Burton Makes Debut as Guest Host While a Contestant Makes History.
Stepping up to the lectern he added, “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 honor Alex’s [Trebek] legacy, and I’m going to do my best to ensure that these talented Jeopardy! contestants enjoy their moment here as well.”
But there was one specific contestant who, unfortunately, didn’t have the best night of his life.
Patrick Pearse, a product specialist from California set a new record for the lowest all-time score in Jeopardy! history. A slew of racked up question flubs saw Pearce’s loss top -$7,400, beating the previous record of -$6,800 set by Stephanie Hull during a 2015 appearance.
So, not the night Pearce was expecting- what about Burton?
Speaking with the Associated Press, Burton said his wife gave him a rather lukewarm review after his very first appearance.
“I came backstage after taping the first episode and I said to Stephanie, ‘Well, how did I do?’ She said, ‘ehhh.’ Now, this is a woman who loves me enough to tell me the truth. She said it wasn’t me.”
Burton said he then adjusted his approach for the following four tapings.
“You’re not going to be smooth as Alex, let go of that. But what you can bring to the table is you. So that became my point of focus. And when it did, I started having fun.”
The Star Trek alum hopes ‘himself’ might just be enough to nab himself the role on a more permanent basis, though producers have said they won’t announce a replacement for Trebek until later this year.
Burton does have competition. Though some of the guest hosts have been misses (Dr. Mehmet Oz, anyone?) fans do have their favorites. Burton’s hat is most certainly in the ring, but he is competing against the likes of Big Bang Theory actress, Mayim Bialik, NFL Quarterback, Aaron Rodgers and Jeopardy! GOAT, Ken Jennings.
Who would you like to see fill Alex Trebek’s big shoes full time? Let us know in the comments below and catch Jeopardy!, weeknights on NBC.
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