LeVar Burton — beloved Reading Rainbow host and fan-favourite for the now-controversial role of Jeopardy! host — has said he's no longer interested in the formerly coveted gig after his experience as a guest host. Instead, he's looking forward to what comes next.
"The crazy thing is that when you set your sights on something, you know, they say be careful of what you wish for, because what I found out is that it wasn't the thing that I wanted after all," he explained in an interview Thursday night (September 16) on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. "What I wanted was to compete. I mean, I wanted the job, right, but then, when I didn't get it, it was, like, well, okay, what's next?"
Despite the intense online support for Burton, he lost the hosting gig to the now-infamous Mike Richards, and then to Mayim Bialik and Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings.
However, Burton said that the outpouring of love from fans has led him to consider different options in the world of game shows, and that he's now looking for "the right game show" to host.
"I never thought about hosting any other game show outside of Jeopardy!" Burton added. "But now, they went in a different direction with their show, which is their right, and now I'm thinking, well, it does kind of make sense, let me see what I can do. So we're trying to figure out what the right game show for LeVar Burton would be."
People really want to see Burton host something, and the offers have already started rolling in — back in August, director Ava Duvernay said she wanted to just create a show of her own for Burton to host.
"The crazy thing is that when you set your sights on something, you know, they say be careful of what you wish for, because what I found out is that it wasn't the thing that I wanted after all," he explained in an interview Thursday night (September 16) on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah. "What I wanted was to compete. I mean, I wanted the job, right, but then, when I didn't get it, it was, like, well, okay, what's next?"
Despite the intense online support for Burton, he lost the hosting gig to the now-infamous Mike Richards, and then to Mayim Bialik and Jeopardy! GOAT Ken Jennings.
However, Burton said that the outpouring of love from fans has led him to consider different options in the world of game shows, and that he's now looking for "the right game show" to host.
"I never thought about hosting any other game show outside of Jeopardy!" Burton added. "But now, they went in a different direction with their show, which is their right, and now I'm thinking, well, it does kind of make sense, let me see what I can do. So we're trying to figure out what the right game show for LeVar Burton would be."
People really want to see Burton host something, and the offers have already started rolling in — back in August, director Ava Duvernay said she wanted to just create a show of her own for Burton to host.