Culturess
Fansided

Take his word for it – LeVar Burton is the perfect Jeopardy host

By Sarabeth Pollock

HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 13: LeVar Burton speaks at Sir Patrick Stewart's handprints and footprints in cement ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX held on January 13, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images)
HOLLYWOOD, CA - JANUARY 13: LeVar Burton speaks at Sir Patrick Stewart's handprints and footprints in cement ceremony at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX held on January 13, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Albert L. Ortega/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

When it comes to finding a replacement host for the iconic quiz show Jeopardy, there are many different choices but there is only one right answer: Who is LeVar Burton. In a recent interview with EW, Burton outlines his case for being the next Jeopardy host and there’s no question it makes perfect sense.

LeVar Burton entered many peoples lives in the late 1970s and early 1980s through his role in Roots, Reading Rainbow and Star Trek: The Next Generation. Adults at the time knew him from Roots, adults and teens knew him from Star Trek and kids of all ages knew him as the affable host of Reading Rainbow.

(For me, it was watching Reading Rainbow reruns on rainy days in elementary school, and then watching him later on Star Trek. By high school I’d seen Roots and it cemented my appreciation for the talented actor)

Burton’s work on Reading Rainbow over the course of two decades ignited a love affair with reading for an entire generation of kids, and those kids are now grown up and watching Jeopardy with their own kids. Why not have LeVar Burton replace beloved Alex Trebek on a show that is as much about learning as it is entertainment?

LeVar Burton hopes Jeopardy is paying attention

Burton admits in the interview that he can’t think of a better host for Jeopardy than himself. That’s not a humble brag, either. He really is perfect.

He started watching the show when he was in elementary school. He competed on Celebrity Jeopardy and won handily. He can bring a whole audience into the Jeopardy fold, and his love of learning is unparalleled. “The values that my family has established over time has been, if there is a leveler of the playing field in America, it’s education — aside from, you know, just being born white. But if you are ever going to fulfill your full potential, then learning needs to be your friend.”

Burton hopes that Jeopardy executives are paying attention. Between pushes from fans on social media and a petition that has been widely circulated, there’s no question that fans want Burton to be the next host.

Next. Star Trek Discovery season 3: Going where no series has gone before. dark

But you don’t have to take our word for it.

Home/Celebrity