LeVar Burton Says He’s Moved on From ‘Jeopardy!’

LeVar Burton visited The Daily Show on Sept. 17, 2021. (Credit: Comedy Central)

As Jeopardy! resumes its search for a permanent host (hopefully this round won’t be rigged), popular guest host LeVar Burton says he’s moved on.

Burton sat down with Trevor Noah for Thursday night’s episode of Comedy Central’s The Daily Show. After discussing his love of books, growing up reading, and some of his iconic roles, Burton shared his feelings about the Jeopardy! host search.

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The former Reading Rainbow host refused to say anything negative about the behind the scenes drama at the trivia show. Instead, he told Noah just getting an opportunity to serve as a fill-in host has opened other doors.

“I made it public that I wanted it for myself, that it made sense for me, and they were all about it,” Burton said about the fans who started a petition for him to get the hosting gig after beloved host Alex Trebek died in 2020.

The job ultimately went to then-Jeopardy! executive producer Mike Richards, who stepped down days later after a string of controversies and complaints across social media that the host search was a charade.

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TMZ reported Thursday, producer Sony Studios never seriously considered Burton for the job.

Despite not being selected as the show’s permanent host, Burton said just filling in was a win.

“When I didn’t get it, it was like, ‘what’s next?’ and the opportunities that have come my way as a result of not getting that gig, I couldn’t have dreamt it up,” he said. “I wouldn’t have been this generous to myself.”

Noah jokingly described the recent developments at Jeopardy! as a “shipwreck that leads you to the island” — Burton agreed. The late-night host then suggested Burton use his production company to start a game show of his own, centered around books.

“We are working on creating exactly what that is,” Burton said.

For more of the LeVar Burton interview, watch the clip from The Daily Show below.