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LeVar Burton Still Might Host His Own Game Show After Missing Out on ‘Jeopardy!’ Hosting Gig

Looks like former Reading Rainbow star LeVar Burton may be getting a hosting gig. And no, it will not be hosting CBS’s hit game show Jeopardy! 

During his recent visit to The Daily Show, Burton announced that he received a number of hosting offers for a project similar to Jeopardy! According to Burton, the potential competition will notably focus on the literature world. 

“The opportunities that have come my way as a result of not getting [the Jeopardy!] gig, I couldn’t have dreamt it up,” Burton revealed. “If you had given me a pen and paper and said, well, so what do you want this to really look like? If it doesn’t include Jeopardy!’ I wouldn’t have been this generous to myself.”

Along with his potentially new hosting gig announcement, Burton also revealed why he was no longer interested in the Jeopardy! permanent hosting gig anymore. “The crazy thing is that when you set your sights on something, you know, they say be careful of what you wish for,” Burton explained. He then stated he found out that it wasn’t the thing that he actually wanted after all. 

“What I wanted was to compete,” the one-time Jeopardy! guest host goes on to share. “I mean, I wanted the job, right. But then, when I didn’t get it, it was like, well, okay. What’s next?”

Fans of Burton previously took to the “Make LeVar Burton the Next Host of Jeopardy!” change.org petition to have Burton take over permanently for the game show’s late long-time host, Alex Trebek. The petition, which was launched in 2020, has secured more than 287,000 signatures.

According to its description, the petition was to show Sony Pictures Entertainment and Jeopardy! producers just how much the public has for Burton. It also showed just how much fans would love to see the former Reading Rainbow host become the next permanent host of the primetime game show. 

Burton Thanks Fans For Their Support to Become ‘Jeopardy!’ Host

Earlier this month, Burton spoke about the support fans gave him before, during, and after his guest-hosting appearance on Jeopardy! He stated that throughout the entire Jeopardy! situation, he felt so much love. The support also meant the world to him and it has been “very cool.”

Burton also explained that the outpour of love and support from family, friends, and fans alike has been incredible. “If love is the ultimate blessing, and I believe it is, I am truly blessed beyond measure,” the Jeopardy! guest host stated.

Prior to Burton’s appearance on The Daily Show, TMZ broke the news that Ken Jennings was selected to be Jeopardy! co-host to Mayim Bialik for the rest of the year. The Jeopardy! crew confirmed the exciting news on Twitter. “Not sure if you’ve heard but @missmayim and @kenjennings are hosting me until the end of the year. Everyone on the staff is supralunar.”