LeVar Burton really wants to be the next host ofJeopardy!after the lateAlex Trebek.
Burton, 64, recently opened up toThe New York Timesabout his upcoming guest-hosting stint on the long-running game show’s 37th season and revealed how he’ll feel if he’s not offered the full-time gig.
“It will hurt. I’m not going to lie,” Burton told the publication. “But if that happens, I will get over it. I will be fine. Remember: Everything happens perfectly and for a reason. That is my default. It’s all going to be OK. Because it always is.”
The formerReading Rainbowstarsaid that taking overJeopardy!hosting duties is something that “makes sense” to him.
Emily Berl for The Washington Post via Getty
“I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do,” he continued. “I have been watchingJeopardy!more or less every night of my life since Art Fleming was host.Jeopardy!is a cultural touchstone, and for a Black man to occupy that podium is significant.”
Burton added, “Look, I have had a career for the [expletive] ages.Roots,Star Trek,Reading Rainbow. Won a Grammy. Got a shelf full of Emmys. I’m a storyteller, and game shows are tremendous stories. There’s a contest, there’s comedy, there’s drama. If you don’t know your [expletive] onJeopardy!, you’re sunk in full view of the entire nation. The stakes are high. I love that.”
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Alex Trebek.Eric McCandless via Getty Images
Jeopardy!announced its final group of season 37guest hostsin late April. Burton was confirmed alongsideGood Morning Americaco-anchorsRobin RobertsandGeorge Stephanopoulos, CNBC journalist David Faber and sportscaster Joe Buck.
As he reacted to the news on Twitter, Burton shared his excitement for the opportunity. “THANK YOU … to all y’all for your passionate support! I am overjoyed, excited, and eager to be guest-hostingJeopardy!, and will do my utmost best to live up to your faith you [put] in me,” hetweeted. “YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE! Go ahead and take my word for it, this time.”
Burton has previously vocalized his interest in hosting the show. Last November, hetweeted out a linkin support ofa Change.org campaignseeking to make him the nextJeopardy!host. The petition currently boasts more than 250,000 supporters,includingDick Van Dyke.
“It feels like, ‘Wow, they really are behind me,'” Burton toldEntertainment Weeklyin April of fans’ support. “They want this for me as much as I want it for me, I believe, because it makes so much sense to them too.”
Burton is set to guest-hostJeopardy!in late July.
source: people.com
