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The world still mourns the passing of Alex Trebek, who hosted the daily game show Peril! since 1984, when it debuted in syndication. There hasn’t been any announcement on Trebek’s replacement, but one name in the mix is particularly familiar to Star Trek fans: LeVar Burton.
Who is LeVar Burton?
LeVar Burton was famous before boarding the USS Enterprise-D in 1987, where he spent seven seasons and four feature films playing engineer Geordi La Forge. In addition to starring in the historic 1977 miniseries Roots, Burton is also known to everyone who grew up in the ’80s and’ 90s as the host of the PBS educational series. Rainbow reading. And he always reads his popular LeVar Burton reads Podcast.
Burton made no secret that he was interested in hosting the gig on Peril! In 2018, after Trebek first indicated he could retire, Burton told a crowd at STLV: “I said it very clearly… when Alex Trebek retires in two years, I want to this job! He has expressed interest in the job several times on social media over the past two years, including in September this year when he tweeted “I’m not going to lie, I feel like I have prepared my whole life to occupy the Peril! welcomes the podium when Alex retires.
After Trebek passed away, an online fan petition was launched for Burton to host Peril! and it has already collected over 60,000 signatures. And Burton himself responded to express his gratitude for those supporting the petition.
Even if nothing comes of it, I can’t say how much I appreciate all your love and support! ?? ♥ ️
Petition · Make LeVar Burton the next Jeopardy host! Https://t.co/60lC1WCD61 https://t.co/QFxedpuWpU
– LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020
But he also made it clear that he is not lobbying for the post during this period of mourning.
Of course, while I am very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with the family of Alex Trebeck and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend. #LongLiveAlex
– LeVar Burton (@levarburton) November 12, 2020
Coming in as host would be a bit of a throwback for Burton. In 1995 he participated in a celebrity edition of Peril! and he won.
Oddsmakers place Burton in top 5 to replace Trebek
Burton’s name is just one of them as a possible new host for Peril! Former mega-champion Ken Jennings is considered the most popular favorite for the job. He recently joined the show as a consulting producer and it was reported that he was Trebek’s choice as a replacement.
The betting sites even pay Jennings money, but Burton is considered the third most likely, with odds of 9-1. Burton’s chances place him third, behind Hello america co-host George Stephanopoulos, but in front of the scientist and Cosmos host Neil deGrasse Tyson and Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak.
Follow Star Trek celebrity news on TrekMovie.com.
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