‘Jeopardy!’ Execs Reportedly Never Considered Levar Burton For Permanent Hosting Gig

LeVar Burton previously expressed his interest in stepping up as the host of Jeopardy! after the longtime host, Alex Trebek, passed away from pancreatic cancer.

More than 272,000 people have signed a Change.org petition with hopes to see Burton host the beloved game show.

“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,” the petition reads.

“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,” it continues, “and how much we’d all love to see him as the next host of Jeopardy!”

However, this wasn’t enough to sway studio executives. TMZ reports that Sony Studios didn’t think he was the “right fit” and are considering him for other roles.

The petition came after Burton garnered positive reviews as a guest host. But Mike Richards ultimately gave himself the role and stepped down after he was blasted for the process and a previous discrimination lawsuit.

Following the controversy, a 2018 interview of Trebek surfaced online where he suggested CNN legal analyst Laura Coates as a potential replacement host.

Do you think the network should go with the former Jeopardy! host’s wish or give LeVar Burton the job since he’s a fan-favorite?