As fans continue to mourn the loss of one of television’s most iconic figures, “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek, many also have engaged in an online discussion about who could serve as the show’s next host. One name that continues to be brought up as a replacement for Trebek, who on Nov. 8 lost his battle with pancreatic cancer at age 80, is Hollywood vet LeVar Burton.
Folks have been championing for the “Roots” star to take over, including through a change.org petition that has more than 9,500 signatures of the 10,000 requested. There’s also currently a forum on Reddit — which was created eight months ago — that lays out four reasons why Burton should be the next “Jeopardy!” host, including the fact that he’s been on “Star Trek,” claiming that nerds love him.
Fans have been throwing out names of famous actors and actresses as well as a previous show winner, Ken Jennings. Jennings reportedly is the highest-earning game show contestant of all time and holds the record for the longest-winning streak on “Jeopardy” with a total of 74 wins.
The list of suggested hosts goes on to reference Burton’s time on the children’s education show “Reading Rainbow.” It points out that his voice, intelligence, and personality would make him “the closest to maintain the prestige and quality that jeopardy is famous for.”
Other fans of the show have expressed their opinions on the matter, including one individual who tweeted, “If anyone’s asking, I am 1000% on-board with the idea of LeVar Burton becoming the new host of Jeopardy.”
Another person commented, “You didn’t ask, but in the question of who should be the new host of Jeopardy, I’m Team LeVar Burton. He projects the same kind of steady presence as Alex Trebek, and just like Trebek, has been a vocal advocate of learning for learning’s sake in and out of his work. #bydhttmwfi.”
Check out this fan-created list of potential replacements down below.
Despite Trebek’s diagnosis, he continued to host the game show until production came to a halt in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
