We choose Black excellence for $1000!
As fans mourn the loss of iconic “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, who died on Nov. 8 after a long battle with pancreatic cancer, they’ve also speculated who would take his place. Among the list of possible celebrities and ex game winners is LeVar Burton, the beloved host of the educational PBS show, “The Reading Rainbow.” A petition, which has more than 87,000 signatures, has been created to get the former “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star on the show.
“LeVar Burton has inspired and shaped the minds of several generations of trivia-loving nerds,” the petition said.
Before Trebek’s death, Burton took to twitter to express his interest in taking on the role.
Not gonna lie, I feel like I’ve been preparing my whole life to occupy the @Jeopardy host podium when Alex retires. #Jeopardy https://t.co/N1HrMTCaYI
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) September 22, 2020
Trebek had said he would like to see a woman or a person of color succeed him, according to Clair McNear, who interviewed him for her book about “Jeopardy!,” “Answers in the Form of Questions,” which released on Tuesday.
“He did say to me that he was keenly aware that the vast majority of hosts were white men,” McNear told The New York Times. “And it would be wonderful if the next host of ‘Jeopardy!’ did not look like him.”
Here are some of the responses to the idea of Burton being the next host of this longstanding trivia show.
I want LeVar Burton to host Jeopardy so we can see him put on Geordi LaForge glasses when they inevitably do a Star Trek category.
— Charles J. Moore (@charles270) November 13, 2020
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Okay People how bout we do something Good in 2020, lets get @levarburton to be the Next Host of Jeopardy, if anyone can do Mr. Trebek’s Memory true respect it is Levar, Himself! https://t.co/jkfWtmCMqj
— Fran Stormm (@FStormm) November 14, 2020
replying to @levarburton Happy Friday 13th.
Waiting for two things: 45’s resignation and Jeopardy!’s naming Trebek’s successor.
Q’pla! https://t.co/qKPqraWvDCadvertisement— Beverly Falls (@DrBNC89) November 13, 2020
LeVar Burton for Jeopardy? pic.twitter.com/W4r2gMiCWy
— Jon Paul, Ed.D.✊ ️ (@DoctorJonPaul) November 10, 2020
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Levar Burton is the only person I care to see hosting Jeopardy now
— Cornbread Fed (@BlckBolex) November 12, 2020
I know it’s way too soon for this to be decided, but when it is time @levarburton is the one my heart says should host host @Jeopardy after the tragic loss of #AlexTrebek.
advertisementThat’s it. That’s the tweet.
— yvette nicole brown (@YNB) November 11, 2020
LeVar Burton might be the only person I would want for Jeopardy hosting in the future.
advertisementRIP Alex Trebek.
— (@thetrudz) November 12, 2020
I’d watch Levar Burton host Jeopardy for sure. I think he’d pay homage to Alex Trebek and bring his own gravitas to the job
advertisement— MonsterKing (@CerromeRussell) November 9, 2020
Category: “Obvious Answers” for $1000
Answer: The clear choice to be the next host of Jeopardy.
“Who is LeVar Burton?” pic.twitter.com/HdUgOyPHn4— Hey Weatherlady!™ Rh nda Lee (@Rhonda_A_Lee) November 12, 2020
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I too said @levarburton should be the new host of @Jeopardy!!!!! https://t.co/qRkJ17Ze2a
— Philly’s Own Questo (@questlove) November 8, 2020
Days later and I am still dreaming of @levarburton as host of Jeopardy.
advertisement— Lisa Lucas (@likaluca) November 16, 2020
And of course he uplifted his own name, which we love!
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
advertisement— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020
We’re rooting for you, LeVar!
Photo Credit: LeVar Burton/Twitter