November 16, 2020
Over 88,000 Fans Petition for LeVar Burton To Become Next ‘Jeopardy’ Host
Famed Jeopardy host Alex Trebek passed away last week after losing his battle with pancreatic cancer at 80-years-old. Following his death, people are starting to speculate — and suggest — about who will replace the iconic host. In the midst of all of this, Star Trek actor and Reading Rainbow host, LeVar Burton, was thrown into the mix as fans started a petition to have him become the next host of the famed game show, according to change.org.
Sascha Hlawacz started the petition last week, “Make LeVar Burton the next host of Jeopardy!”
“Between hosting 21 seasons of the educational Reading Rainbow, playing the brainiac engineer Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: The Next Generation, and filling the role of Kunta Kinte in the ever-important mini-series Roots, LeVar Burton has inspired and shaped the minds of several generations of trivia-loving nerds. This petition is to show Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and producers Mike Richards and Harry Friedman just how much love the public has for Burton, and how much we’d all love to see him as the next host of Jeopardy!”
As of this writing, over 88,000 people have signed the petition in anticipation of getting to 150,000.
Burton took to Twitter to not only acknowledge the petition but to show his appreciation to those who support that decision.
Even if nothing comes from it, I can’t tell how much how I appreciate all y’alls love and support! 🙏🏾♥️
Petition · Make LeVar Burton the next host of Jeopardy! · https://t.co/60lC1WCD61 https://t.co/QFxedpuWpU
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020
Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex Trebeck’s family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend. #LongLiveAlex
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020