LeVar Burton: 'Jeopardy ' host gig began 'scary,' ended fun | Hacker News Reader

LeVar Burton: 'Jeopardy ' host gig began 'scary,' ended fun

abcnews.go.com

99 pointsevo_926 comments

> I think that ‘Roots’ and ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Reading Rainbow,’ they all have that commonality about them, that common thread of entertainment, yes — and informational, inspiring, enlightening, educational, uplifting. We can do so much more than just sell each other stuff with the medium.

We need more role models like LeVar not only saying this, but living it. He's referring to TV but I feel very strongly about this in regards to the Internet.

> There's nothing like ‘Jeopardy!’ in the cultural consciousness. It's not that I'm trying to put it on the same level, but I liken it to Barack Obama being elected president in the United States in 2008. I personally never thought I would see that happen in my lifetime. Did his election mean that we were in a post-racial America? Obviously not at all. But it was an important step. Every time we reach that milestone of a first, it does say something about us. It also tells us something that we continue to have these moments of firsts.... that white is the normative default. The reason that white is the default is the conversation that we are trying to have in this country now, that there’s so much resistance to.

I’m glad he said this. It’s sad to see some politicians hell-bent on preventing this conversation.

https://abcnews.go.com/US/martin-luther-king-jr-kkk-cut-texa...

I have to say just picturing LeVar Burton in my mind I can see him as the right choice for hosting Jeopardy. Both he and Alex Trebek have that calm reassuring demeanour.

I picture him like this

https://ibb.co/MpcQzKW

Personally I think Worf would be a much better choice as host.

Data as host would also be intriguing.

I'll just leave this here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmVwCcUQRjU

On second thought, I think The Price Is Right would be a better fit for Data, replacing Bob Barker.

Big fan of LVB, but not sure what to talk about here.

My mom sat me down in front of Roots back in the day. One of the only things I can remember was the iconic whipping scene. Was several decades before I realized he was the same actor on one of my favorite shows, ST:TNG.

When I saw his name come up on TNG as a kid, my thought was: It's the guy from Reading Rainbow!

There's even a fantastic crossover episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BN_zSDKf5k

When that episode started I was so confused.

"Mom, I thought this was Reading Rainbow."

"It is."

"But it's ST:TNG openings credits!"

"... huh. It is."

"And it's 330pm - ST:TNG isn't on until 7pm!"

And then Mr Burton comes on all Reading Rainbow about ST:TNG. Glitter in a glass of water, the whole deal.

"Oh, ok. I get it."

Watched both shows back in the day but somehow never saw this ep! Thank you for posting it.

There's definitely a generational divide with LVB with what people most associate him with. I'm very much in the TNG generation, but with a dose of Roots.

And then, of course, there was his classic guest shot on Community.

I haven’t been following any of the new shows with guest hosts.. have the Burton episodes aired yet?

Next week!

Ah cool, thanks!

Trebek was the very essence of Jeopardy throughout my entire life, and he can never be replaced. But if anyone could take the reins, it'd be Burton.

Trebek and Burton were a staple of my childhood years, and my career path is certainly somewhat indebted to them both. It feels so fitting to pair Burton with this role. He's such a natural choice.

If Burton can't do it, my other picks would be for Bill Nye or Neil deGrasse Tyson.

I met LeVar Burton at CES many years ago. It was like meeting one of my childhood heroes and I liked him very much. What a nice man.

This you? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC3CVZeYGa0

Came here to find this.

YES! I was so speechless at first and embarrassed. He was so nice and warm, everything I imagined he would be as a kid watching Reading Rainbow.

Interview with him about the petition here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXftPsgaj4k

How is this a HN story? LOL Because Star Trek?

(not complaining it's just funny)

I suspect a lot of us (myself included) are also fans of Jeopardy.

And Reading Rainbow, and things happening because the Internet...

Jeopardy is a "nerd" game show that attracts smart educated people.

It has college competitions.

It featured Watson, the IBM AI, as a contestant.

It's a social institution. It's been around since the mid 60s so a lot of people who visit this website grew up watching it.

The previous host had a unique smart dry wit that is rare in American game shows.

If LeVar Burton had replaced Howie Mandel on Deal or No Deal then I would agree with you but the Hacker News crowd is definitely Jeopardy's audience.

LeVar's Burton resume helps, I must admit. But it's not only Star Trek. On his podcast he reads short stories by authors like Neil Gaiman and Kurt Vonnegut which are also interesting to the HN crowd. Even Reading Rainbow was a TV show that attracted nerdy kids.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com