NewsT. Rick JonesLeVar Burton

By Geordi, he’s done it! LeVar Burton to guest host Jeopardy! this summer

NewsT. Rick JonesLeVar Burton
By Geordi, he’s done it! LeVar Burton to guest host Jeopardy! this summer

APRIL 21, 2021 - By Geordi, he’s done it! After a monumental effort by fans, LeVar Burton has joined the roster of guest hosts for Jeopardy!

Following the death of the show’s longtime host Alex Trebek last November, the evening game show has been working through a series of guest hosts one at a time, while they search for a new permanent host. Earlier this month, momentum started to build behind a fan-led change.org petition asking the show’s producer, Sony Pictures Television, to consider Star Trek: The Next Generation actor Burton for the role. The petition is now approaching 250,000 signatures, and even Burton himself has joined the push, making the case publicly as to why his resume makes him perfect for the job.

He told Entertainment Weekly last week, “I don't believe there is anyone out there who is better suited for this job than me [...] I think my whole career is an advertisement for being the host of Jeopardy!”

Now it seems as though Burton’s push and fans’ pleas have been heard. Jeopardy! announced on Wednesday that the former Reading Rainbow host would be one of the five remaining guest hosts rounding out season 37. The other hosts announced with Burton were ABC’s “Good Morning America” anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, CNBC’s David Faber and Fox Sports’ Joe Buck.

Jeopardy! Executive Producer Mike Richards said of the list, “Our goal has been to present a wide variety of guest hosts with different skill sets and backgrounds on our path to finding a permanent host. Our passionate fans are telling us what they like, and we are listening. All of the guest hosts have brought individualism, energy and an authentic love of our show to each of their episodes. We look forward to sharing the rest of the season with our viewers.”

In response to the news, Burton tweeted, “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.”

LeVar Burton will guest host Jeopardy! From July 26th - July 30th. Jeopardy! Airs on ABC affiliates Monday through Friday, check your local listings for times, or visit jeopardy.com/watch.