LeVar Burton Regrets Trusting Mike Richards During His Bid To Become The Host Of “Jeopardy!”

I think one of the reasons so many people love LeVar Burton is because when we were kids he taught us to love reading. However, the thing we all did not know is that LeVar is also an expert at reading, because he’s speaking about his time auditioning to host Jeopardy! and apparently the library is open. Prior to Ken Jennings and Mayim Bialik being chosen to take over for the late Alex Trebek, LeVar was the internet’s choice, yet he was then undercut by greedy producer Mike Richards who snatched the honor away from everyone when he made himself the host. It became a temporary gig, and now in the aftermath of all the drama LeVar admits during the process he would not have trusted Mike at all.

TV Insider reports LeVar was recently asked a round of questions during the Rose City Comic Con in Portland Oregon,, and he was cordial enough when asked how he felt about Ken and Mayim being the hosts. He commended what they’ve done, but also admitted that Jeopardy! chose the hosts they wanted. It was a mature response, but then LeVar immediately hit everyone with The Remix when he alluded to Mike’s selfish decision without actually naming him.

“I’ll always bet on myself, and given the opportunity to do it all over again, I would,” the Roots star stated. “Well, first, I would not believe the executive producer when he told me twice that he was not interested in the job; his job was to find someone to do the job. That’s the guy who gave himself the job.”

“So if I were to do it all over again, I wouldn’t trust him,” Burton continued. “But I would insist on knowing that this was a real audition for the job because that’s what I thought I was asking for.”

The fact that anyone would be this disrespectful to the man who has been such a national treasure is deplorable. It’s the equivalent of Mike storming the Reading Rainbow set and stomping all over a pile of books with both middle fingers up. However, we all love LeVar, and although he admits his time as host fulfilled a lifelong dream those days are behind him now.

Burton went on to say that it felt like he was “pulled into a publicity stunt” but added, “I went in willingly. I own my actions 100%. I just wish they had been more forthcoming at the beginning.” He also said he “loved every moment” of hosting the show itself.

I commend LeVar for being a class act, but I’m sure he’s done with ever wanting to host Jeopardy! again after all of this drama. However, he stayed true to the Reading Rainbow theme song because when Mike Richards decided to go low with his actions LeVar decided to go twice as high with his.

Pic: INSTARImages