'Jeopardy!' Fans Want LeVar Burton as the Potential New Host Following Alex Trebek's Death

While Jeopardy! producers have not named a successor for Alex Trebek, yet fans know who should [...]

By Daniel S. Levine

While Jeopardy! producers have not named a successor for Alex Trebek, yet fans know who should fill the big shoes left behind by the beloved game show host. LeVar Burton, the Star Trek: The Next Generation actor, also beloved by generations as the host of Reading Rainbow, has become a favorite new host among fans. Trebek died on Sunday at 80, following a battle with prostate cancer.

Burton, 63, caught wind of the growing support for his candidacy as the next Jeopardy! star. He retweeted a New York Times article about names fans have considered, then shared a link to a Change.org petition with over 14,000 signatures. "Even if nothing comes from it, I can't tell how much how I appreciate all y'alls love and support," Burton wrote.

In 2018, Burton told fans at a Star Trek convention in Las Vegas that he has "made it very clear" that when Trebek retired, he wanted to host Jeopardy!. "Sorry, brother! There is only one game show I've ever wanted to host... This Is Jeopardy!" Burton wrote in another tweet that year. "Sorry, everyone! It was called Reading Rainbow, not Spelling Rainbow."

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At the time Burton made his comments, Trebek had told TMZ's Harvey Levin in an episode of OBJECTified there was a "50/50" chance he would retire when his contract was up in 2020. In that same episode, Trebek suggested Sony could replace him with Los Angeles Kings play-by-play announcer Alex Faust or CNN legal analyst Laura Coates. Trebek also often joked about Betty White replacing him. However, Trebek did not retire and instead extended his contract through 2022. He continued filming new episodes up until 10 days before his death, and his final show will air on Christmas Day.

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On Monday, a source told The Wrap that representatives for Good Morning America anchor George Stephanopoulos are "lobbying" for him to replace Trebek. Another source close to Stephanopoulos denied he was "actively" chasing the job though. CBS Television, which distributes Jeopardy, and Sony, which produces it, have not commented.

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On Wednesday, Trebek's wife, Jean, shared her first statement since her husband's death. She shared a photo from their wedding day, with Trebek putting the wedding ring on her finger. "My family and I sincerely thank you all for your compassionate messages and generosity," she wrote. "Your expressions have truly touched our hearts. Thank you so very, very much."

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The Jeopardy! team also paid tribute to Trebek with an introduction from executive producer Mike Richards on Monday. "This is an enormous loss for our staff and crew, for his family and for his millions of fans. He loved this show and everything it stood for," Richards said, before noting that Trebek "will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, his kindness and for his love of his family."

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Burton is best known for starring as Lt. Commander Geordi La Forge in Star Trek: The Next Generation and played the character in the four Next Generation movies. In 1983, he was picked to host Reading Rainbow, a PBS series encouraging children to read. Burton also has an Emmy nomination for his role as Kunta Kinte in the first part of Roots.

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Even some of Burton's acting colleagues have put his name in the ring for Jeopardy!. "I know it's way too soon for this to be decided, but when it is time [Burton] is the one my heart says should host... [Jeopardy] after the tragic loss of [Trebek]. That's it. That's the tweet," Yvette Nicole Brown wrote.

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