He became a beloved mainstay on our TV screens throughJeopardy, helping to shape and inform his viewership.
“I would totally watch this,” one Twitter user replied.
“I’m so voting for you,” another added.
LeVar Burton will serve as a guest host on ‘Jeopardy’ July 26 through July 30.Jeopardy! Productions
The tweet garnered more and more responses like this, embedding the idea in our collective consciousness.
The host had been suffering from pancreatic cancer, but he was determined to fight through it.
He even said retirement wasn’t in his near future.
To date, that petition has amassed more than 257,000 signatures.
Burton later discussed his undying obsession to secure the gig in a 2021 interview withThe New York Times Magazine.
“I feel like this is what I’m supposed to do.
I have been watchingJeopardymore or less every night of my life since Art Fleming was host.”
Got a shelf full of Emmys.
I’m a storyteller, and game shows are tremendous stories.
There’s a contest, there’s comedy, there’s drama.
If you don’t know your [expletive] onJeopardyyou’re sunk in full view of the entire nation.
The stakes are high.
I love that."
On Nov. 8, 2020, days after the launch of the Change.org petition, Trebekdied.
The public wants @levarburton to host the show!"
Dick Van Dyke shared the online petition on Twitter, directing it at Sony Pictures Entertainment.
Actress andStar Trek: Voyageralum Kate Mulgrew offered her own endorsement.
Burton tweeted to his fans in response.
YOU MADE A DIFFERENCE!
Go ahead and take my word for it, this time."
Burton’s episodes will air every night this week at 7 p.m. After this week, we’ll see if the producers agree.
