Ryan Reynolds Thinks LeVar Burton Should Be The Next ‘Jeopardy!’ Host
Ryan Reynolds is rooting for LeVar Burton to be the next host of Jeopardy! following Mike Richards’ exit after a number of his offensive comments made in his podcast resurfaced.
Richards “repeatedly used offensive language and disparaged women’s bodies” in 2013 and 2014 while hosting The Randumb Show podcast.
Richards, who was announced on August 11 to become the new permanent host of the popular game show alongside Mayim Bialik, stepped down from the position last week (August 20) after his past inappropriate comments sparked controversy.
Reynolds wrote of the fan-favorite on Twitter, “Pretty consistently from 2013 to 2015 Deadpool would explode on Twitter with fans wanting me to play him. It was awkward because I agreed with them but the studio didn’t see it. Ultimately the fans won and the rest is glorious history. I’m forever grateful. Hi @levarburton.”
🙏🏾💜🙏🏾
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 21, 2021
Burton used the same three emojis in response to others fans following Reynolds’ support.
https://twitter.com/bekahchilders/status/1428781338845487110?s=20
🙏🏾💜🙏🏾
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 21, 2021
You… I love!
— LeVar Burton (@levarburton) August 21, 2021
🙏🏾💜🙏🏾
The Reading Rainbow host has long been a fan-favorite to become the new man behind the podium. In fact, a fan petition was signed by more than 270,000 people requesting Burton to be the right man to take over Trebek’s legacy.
The Star Trek: The Next Generation actor was selected as one of the many guest hosts for the trivia show ahead of Richards being announced as the new permanent replacement. Since that is all up in the air again, Burton may have another shot.
Sony Pictures Television released the following statement from Richards’ announcing his departure from Jeopardy!:
“Dear Team,
It pains me that these past incidents and comments have cast such a shadow on Jeopardy! as we look to start a new chapter.
As I mentioned last week, I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show. As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately. As a result, we will be canceling production today.
SPT will now resume the search for a permanent syndicated host. In the meantime, we will be bringing back guest hosts to continue production for the new season, details of which will be announced next week.
I want to apologize to each of you for the unwanted negative attention that has come to Jeopardy! over the last few weeks and for the confusion and delays this is now causing. I know I have a lot of work to do to regain your trust and confidence.”
