NASHVILLE, TN — Actor and “Reading Rainbow” host Levar Burton will get to host a game show after all. It’s just not the one that many hoped he’d land. Burton had notified the producers at “Jeopardy!” of his interest in hosting the program after the death of Alex Trebek, and he was even given a brief audition, but failed to land one of the two final hosting jobs that went to Mayim Bialik and Ken Jennings. But it was announced last week that Burton would become the new host of “Trivial Pursuit.” It was initially reported on TMZ and later on other entertainment websites.
“Trivial Pursuit” does have a resemblance to “Jeopardy!” in that both are concerned with questions and answers in different categories. But “Jeopardy” differs in that they provide the answers and contestants must give the correct questions. The “Trivial Pursuit board game features players collecting wedges by answering questions in various areas. TMZ reports that the television adaptation is now in development, and will eventually head to The CW with a twelve-episode order. The deal to bring Burton on as host is almost finalized, though no word was given regarding when the show would begin airing episodes, particularly since neither the actors nor writers’ strikes have yet been resolved. According to the story it is Hasbro, the manufacturers behind the “Trivial Pursuit” series, who were initially responsible for getting in contact with Burton. The story says that the company felt he was snubbed after “Jeopardy!” didn’t even approach him with an offer of any kind for a permanent hosting position. Now on “Trivial Pursuit,” Burton gets the chance to display his hosting talents.
After not getting the “Jeopardy!” hosting job, Burton later said it was the “perfect blessing” for him. He acknowledged that while he thought he wanted it, he later realized it wasn’t the job he really wanted, and he might’ve never realized that had he not campaigned for it in the first place.
Among his other ventures, Burton recently reprised his role as Geordi LaForge in Season 3 of “Star Trek: Picard.” There, he acted alongside his daughter, Mica Burton, and returned to a beloved role that thrilled many fans. There’s even a chance he could have more adventures as La Forge in the future, though it would depend on a Picard follow-up being green-lit by Paramount+. But his current focus is on hosting a game show. “Trivial Pursuit” doesn’t have the prestigious position among television shows like “Jeopardy!,” but it’s among the most popular board games on the market. Burton’s many fans are hoping that he’ll be both a success, and also show the “Jeopardy!” producers they made a mistake.
