Ever since the passing of Alex Trebek, the game show Jeopardy! has been using guest stars to fill in while they search for a new, full-time host. People like past winners Ken Jennings, NFL icons Aaron Rodgers, actress Mayim Bialik,co-anchor Robin Roberts, and others have and will step behind the iconic podium to challenge contestants on their knowledge. One name fans have been clamoring for as a permanent fixture is former Star Trek actor and Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton.
While may or may not be in the running for the full-time host position, he will get a shot at guest-hosting this coming summer. It’s been announced that Burton will be part of the last crop of guest-hosts for the season, and his episodes are scheduled to air July 26, 2021 – July 30, 2021.
Burton tweeted out a heartfelt message for everyone who’s supported him getting this opportunity after it was announced.
THANK YOU... to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hosting Jeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you in me. YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time. https://t.co/C7mZWMok2X
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) April 21, 2021
Many are pulling for Burton due to his time mostly as the host of Reading Rainbow. Burton served as host for the series and has tried to bring it back for a modern audience. Burton’s tenure as the show’s host has coincided with the generation of children that started watching him in the early 80s being the bulk audience of those who watch Jeopardy! still to this day, so it makes sense that so many of his fans would be pushing for him to step in as host for Jeopardy!, another series that promotes reading and knowledge.
It seems like a natural progression for all those that grew up watching him talk about children’s books.
The person who eventually becomes the host of the series will not be known for some time. With new episodes taped and set to air throughout the summer, it’d be likely that if a new permanent host is announced, that it’s not announced until the fall sometime when the show comes back from break.