Celebs

Petition To Make ‘Reading Rainbow’s’ LeVar Burton The New Host Of ‘Jeopardy!’ Gains Traction, LeVar Responds

It goes without saying that the iconic Alex Trebek is irreplaceable. He was in many of our homes and our grandparents’ homes nightly and his impact will be remembered forever.

After Trebek gave 36 years to “Jeopardy!,” it’s noted that he has left some big shoes to fill. Anxious to see who will be Trebek’s predecessor, fans of the show have been circulating a petition to get another childhood icon, LeVar Burton, as the new host of “Jeopardy!”

The petition has almost reached its goal of 75,000 signatures today, according to USA Today. “LeVar Burton has inspired and shaped the minds of several generations of trivia-loving nerds,” the petition on Change.org reads after listing LeVar’s accomplishments, which include playing the “brainiac engineer Geordi La Forge on ‘Star Trek’.”

It continues: “This petition is to show Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and producer Mike Richards just how much love the public has for Burton, and how much we’d all love to see him as the next host of Jeopardy!”

LeVar caught wind of the petition, after lobbying for the job in a tweet last September, and thanked fans for their support while also paying his respects to Trebek and his family.

“Even if nothing comes from it, I can’t tell how much how I appreciate all y’alls love and support!,” LeVar tweeted. “Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex (Trebek’s) family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend.”

Trebek passed away last week at the age of 80 after battling pancreatic cancer. The beloved host won seven Emmys for “Jeopardy!” He took over the show back in 1984 and hosted it until the time of his death.

TSR STAFF: Christina C! @cdelafresh

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Christina Calloway