ICYMI: LeVar Burton overlooked as new host of Jeopardy!

LeVar Burton guest-hosts Jeopardy! in July 2021

AUGUST 18, 2021 - In case you missed it: last week, Deadline finally confirmed that Star Trek: The Next Generation actor LeVar Burton will not become the new permanent host of the television game show Jeopardy!

Shortly after Burton’s week of guest hosting the show had aired, the show’s producers made the decision to bring Jeopardy! Executive Producer Mike Richards and The Big Bang Theory actress Mayim Bialik together. The two will share in the hosting duties for the Jeopardy! franchise, with Richards serving as the primary host and Bialik as guest-host and host of Jeopardy! National College Championship, which will air on ABC in 2022.

Burton actively campaigned for the position following the death of long-time host Alex Trebek last year. An online petition supporting him as the new host gathered more than 250,000 signatures. Burton secured a week of hosting Jeopardy! while the search for a permanent host continued. Many believed he was an ideal candidate, including Burton himself. This past April, Burton told Entertainment Weekly he didn’t “believe there was anyone out there better suited [than himself] ” to host the show.

After news of Bialik and Richard’s selection was made public, Burton released a statement on social media, saying, “I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won. The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure.”

I have said many times over these past weeks that no matter the outcome, I’ve won. The outpouring of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible! If love is the ultimate blessing and I believe that it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure. 🙏🏾

— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 5, 2021

For those of you desperate to see LeVar Burton host a television show, there may still be a light at the end of the tunnel. Over the weekend, blackenterprise.com reported that director Ava DuVernay (known for the Hulu series Queen Sugar) had posted to social media, saying she was “trying to create a show for LeVar Burton to host to make an international hit.”  Just a few hours later, Burton replied to her post, saying “Check your [direct messages]!”. Burton may have a few ideas of his own for a show, or perhaps he’s just excited to collaborate with DuVernay.

Me trying to create a show right in this moment for @levarburton to host and make an international hit. pic.twitter.com/VS9g1WHPEb

— Ava DuVernay (@ava) August 11, 2021

Either way, that’s all we know for now. If a partnership between Burton and DuVernay develops, you can be sure we will bring you all the details as they are announced.