Fans of America’s most revered trivia show are petitioning for LeVar Burton to become the show’s new host, following the heart-breaking death of the beloved Alex Trebek.
What We Know:
- A petition was created by Joshua Sanders and first aimed to collect 10,000 signatures. As the petition was spread around social media, it quickly gained support from thousands; resulting in an updated goal of 75,000 signatures. So far, the petition has reached more than 60,000 signatures in the four days since it’s been created.
- The goal of the effort expressed in the description reads, “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!”
- LeVar Burton is known for hosting 21 seasons of Reading Rainbow on PBS, acting as Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: the Next Generation, and Kunta Kinte in the mini-series Roots. Burton shared the link to the petition in a tweet and responded to supporters saying, “Even if nothing comes from it, I can’t tell how much I appreciate all y’alls love and support!”
- Burton would be replacing the late Alex trebek, who passed away from stage 4 pancreatic cancer at the age of 80. Trebek had been Jeopardy‘s second, but most notable emcee, hosting the show since 1984.
- Nearly a year after his diagnosis, he revealed he rehearsed his final episode on the show. During the last 30 seconds of the show, he tells, “I will say my goodbyes and I will tell people, ‘Don’t ask me who’s going to replace me because I have no say whatsoever. But I’m sure that if you give them the same love and attention and respect that you have shown me, then they will be a success and the show will continue being a success.’ And until we meet again, God bless you and goodbye.”
The Jeopardy producers have yet to name a new host or comment on the petition for LeVar Burton. The final episode hosted by Trebek will air on Christmas Day.
