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- July 30, 2021
- 11:44 am
LeVar Burton’s First Jeopardy
Watch the video to see the fan reviews for LeVar Burton’s first Jeopardy! episode.
Who is LeVar Burton and what are some of his notable roles in film and television?
LeVar Burton, known for his iconic roles in Roots, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and Reading Rainbow, stepped in as the new guest host of Jeopardy! on Monday, July 26, 2021. Fans eagerly waited to see how he would perform as the host of the popular game show, and the initial reviews are in.
Even before the episodes aired, the anticipation was high. Fans had started an online petition to have Burton permanently replace the late Alex Trebek, who had hosted the show since 1984 before he died of pancreatic cancer in November 2020. The petition gathered over 250,000 signatures, and Burton himself expressed his willingness to take on the gig.
Twitter was abuzz with excitement as the first episode featuring Burton as the guest host aired. Fans praised his natural charisma and his calming voice, which seemed perfect for the role. Some also noted Burton’s background in education and literacy, which could help in bringing another layer of knowledge to the show.
“LeVar Burton on Jeopardy is like a hug from a wise uncle. My whole heart,” wrote Twitter user @EseVato. “LeVar Burton hosting Jeopardy is perfect. He’s perfect. He knew the right amount of reverence to give to Alex but bringing his own flavor to the show. I love him,” tweeted @meghan_bean.
Others pointed out Burton’s ability to connect with the contestants and make the show more engaging. “LeVar Burton is KILLING it as the new host of Jeopardy! It’s not just that he’s a great human, he’s the only host I’ve seen who actively engages with the players during gameplay. He really makes it a conversation,” wrote Twitter user @Itsgabrielleu.
Burton’s first episode drew 2.5 million viewers, the most since the show’s second episode with Ken Jennings as the guest host. Prior to this, the show’s ratings had dipped after the initial high viewership following Trebek’s death.
The reviews for Burton’s first Jeopardy! episode have been overwhelmingly positive, with many hoping he will return for more episodes. The other guest hosts who have taken on the role so far include Jennings, Aaron Rodgers, Anderson Cooper, and Mayim Bialik.
After Trebek’s death, taking on the role of the beloved host was never going to be easy. However, Burton has already shown that he has what it takes to bring his own flavor to the show while still paying tribute to Trebek’s legacy. Fans of the show are excited to see what he will bring in the coming episodes and who knows, perhaps Burton may become the permanent host of the show.
