LeVar Burton ‘flattered’ by fan petition to replace Alex Trebek on ‘Jeopardy!’

Following the passing of Alex Trebek, talk has turned to who could possibly replace the iconic “Jeopardy!” game show host, with many fans believing former “Reading Rainbow” host LeVar Burton could fit the bill.

Like Trebek, Burton achieved much of his fame through educational television, and was truly humbled once he discovered fans created a petition on his behalf to replace the late Trebek.

“Even if nothing comes from it, I can’t tell how much how I appreciate all y’alls love and support,” Burton, 63, tweeted, along with a link to the petition. 

Burton was also sure to honor Trebek, adding “Of course while I’m very flattered by the petition, my thoughts are definitely with Alex Trebeck’s (sic) family and his millions of fans and the devastating loss of this irreplaceable legend. #LongLiveAlex.” 

As of Saturday, the petition has over 71,000 signatures.

“Between hosting 21 seasons of the educational Reading Rainbow, playing the brainiac engineer Geordi La Forge on Star Trek: the Next Generation, and filling the roll of Kunta Kinte in the ever important mini-series Roots, LeVar Burton has inspired and shaped the minds of several generations of trivia-loving nerds,” the petition states.

It continues, “This petition is to show Sony Pictures Entertainment Inc. and producers Mike Richards and Harry Friedman 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!”